My OS won't stop restarting.

Hello, I'm having a problem with my operating system.

The problem is that it won't shut down when I specify that in the shut down window. Instead, it shuts down and then starts back up again as if the restart option had been selected. The computer can only be shut down with the power shut down switch. This began yesterday.

Brief history. I began getting ready to switch the computer over to DSL tomorrow. To do that I did a number of things.

First I uninstalled all the spyware removers and anti-virus programs per the advice of an article on EZLAN.NET that stated: "It is important to disable software firewalls, virus prog. etc...while configuring or problem solving your computer." This was three days ago and somewhat premature.

Sencond I installed a network card. It's a D-Link DFE-530TX+. Two things about the installation that befuddled me. It came with a wire that was never mentioned in the installation guide. It looks like possibly a power cord that could connect to the mother board, but I don't know. Consequently I didn't use it and assumed the power will be coming through the PCI slot.

The second curiosity I had involves the cards drivers. I followed the installation guide. I installed the drivers from the disk it came with first. I then shut off the computer and installed the card. I then turned on the computer, and instead of getting the window that says new hardware was installed and restart, I first got a message that asked for the Windows 98 CD to be put in to download the drivers. I thought I had just done that and so I just ingnored it and eventually came to the window that said restart your computer.

The card is listed in the hardware manager without any warnings about drivers being messed up or missing.

Finally, I wanted to start using the internet again, briefly. Well, it wasn't too brief and I noticed what seemed to be some bad things happening, so reinstalled my virus and spyware scans. This was yesterday and now my computer won't shut down through the os.

Specs: OS - Windows 98SE
CPU - Intel Pentium 3E, 850MHZ
RAM - 384 MB SDRAM
Two optical drives, a ZIP drive, and a floppy

thanks,
mike

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q238096/
http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/wurecommended/s_wufeatured/win98se/
IRQ Steering
This option allows several PCI devices to share the same interrupt request line (IRQ). If the BIOS is not fully compliant, this option may cause your computer not to shut down properly, even if two or more devices are not sharing an IRQ. To disable PCI bus IRQ Steering, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
2. On the Device Manager tab, click System Devices.
3. Double-click PCI Bus, and then click to clear the Use IRQ Steering check box on the IRQ Steering tab.
4. Click OK, click OK, and then restart your computer.
5. After you restart the computer, attempt to shut down your computer again.
If your computer shuts down successfully, you may need to change the BIOS configuration or you may need a BIOS update. For information about how to do so, contact your BIOS manufacturer.

 

Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately a series of unfortunate events prevented me from being able to acquire and use it.

I found a site with some advice on how to fix the problem...very different from yours. I tried it and it rendered my computer completely inoperable. I couldn't even start it in safe mode. Consequently I had to re-install Windows. It's working now and so is the DSL, so that's good.

Thanks again.
mike