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Optiplex 380 randomly shuts off overnight
My Optiplex 380 (Windows 7 32-bit OS) shuts itself down overnight randomly. During the day, it stays on regardless of activity, but it shuts down overnight -- sometimes. It's connected to a LAN via Windows Small Business Server 2008, but no one else on the network has this problem. Sometimes I log off for the night and sometimes I just lock it and that doesn't seem to make a difference. I don't think it's an update issue because I don't get the message telling me that an update was installed. It must go through the shut down process, because when I turn it on again, it boots up normally. I don't get a message telling me that Windows was not shut down properly. The "Put computer to sleep" setting in Power Options is set to "Never." My professional tech people are also baffled. This is a problem because I need to be able to work remotely either through an internet based mobile desktop or through a VPN connection I have set up on my laptop at home. That won't work if the computer is shut off. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.
speedstep
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November 29th, 2011 05:00
Does the event log say that the shutdown was unexpected? Do you have recover from lost power turned on?
Galileo1226
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November 29th, 2011 08:00
Thanks for the reply.
I don't see in the event log that the shut down was unexpected. I find instances where the "The system is entering sleep," which is interesting because the power options are set that the computer is never supposed to sleep, but that shouldn't make it power down, should it?
I can't find the recover from lost power option, but I have a battery backup and there's no other indication that the office lost power. Also, I have a credit card machine plugged into the same battery backup and it would tell me if it lost power. Also, I don't get the error telling me that Windows wasn't shut down properly when I turn the computer back on.
speedstep
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November 29th, 2011 09:00
There are Software Sleep settings but there are also sometimes BIOS sleep settings. May be an ACPI Bios or Driver problem. It shuts down instead of sleeping.
First you need to check your keyboard whether the keyboard or mouse has an option to wake the computer up when its in sleep mode.
1. Open the Control Panel (Standard View).
2. Click on System and Maintenance and then System.
3. Under Tasks, click on Device Manager.
4. Provide administrative credentials when prompted.
5. Click on the + sign beside Keyboard
6. Right click on selected device and then go to properties
7. Go to Power Manager tab
8. There should be a check on this device can wake the computer
The ability to recover from sleep mode by pressing a key on the keyboard or by moving the mouse on a computer that supports ACPI is dependent on the computer's motherboard. This ability is disabled in older Intel motherboards, and the only way to wake the computer from sleep mode is to press the Power button.
With most newer motherboards, you can wake the computer by pressing the Power button, by pressing a key on the keyboard, or by moving the mouse.
ACPI support is necessary to take full advantage of the power management and Plug and Play features in Windows. If you are not sure whether your computer is ACPI-compliant, please see the printed documentation for your computer or motherboard, or contact the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.
Galileo1226
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November 29th, 2011 09:00
Yes, there is a check mark next to Allow this device to wake computer for both the keyboard and the mouse. The computer is not old. I've had it for less than a year. BIOS Version/Date is Dell, Inc. A05 2/24/2011.