Problem with powering down in XP

[the720k]

Okay, so I recently installed a Biostar P4M80-M4 motherboard, an ArcadeVGA card, and a Kortek (Betson Imperial) 19" CGA arcade monitor into my cabinet.  Everything's tied together with a Bits Limited SmartStrip.  It's running Windows XP Pro and all the games look and run like a champ. 

But...

I have a problem shutting down with my ATX power switch.  My motherboard is ACPI compliant, and I have it turned on in the BIOS, but when I'm in Windows, I can't shut down from my switch.  Under "Power Options Properties/Advanced," I do not have the option to choose how Windows will treat any buttons (power, standby, etc.)

When I manually click "Start -> Shut Down -> Shut Down," it shuts down, but leaves me at the Windows XP logo and displays "It is now safe to turn off your computer."  RRRRRRG!  I have a SmartStrip to avoid exactly this type of hassle when shutting down!

I've checked and re-checked the settings in my BIOS, upgraded to the newest BIOS version for my board, and tried some of the solutions at Microsoft's site.  No luck in any case. 

My only other thought is that perhaps Windows doesn't like that it can't read any info from my monitor, as it only has R/G/B/H-Sync/V-Sync/GND connected, and no other pins, thus not allowing ACPI.  Does that make sense?

I'm pulling my hair out with this silly problem.  If anyone has gone through this before, I'd appreciate a pointer or two!

[Teebor]

Monitor doesn't matter

You may find that XP doesn't like the ACPI function in your BIOS so try turning it off in the BIOS (happened to me on a cheap HP manufactured motherboard )

Also in the bios you should find an entry that defines the what the PC should do when the power switch is depressed, change the settings for that and you should find windows will pick up on it.

[Bloinkxp]

I had the same issue.
Two things: 
1.  Get the newest BIOS on that sucker
2.  Set the BIOS to "Reset ESD on boot"

Either one can help.

[tikbalang]

enable apm/acpi in control panel --> power options.

[the720k]

Thanks for the info.  Nothing seemed to help, though.  I think I made a big mistake when installed XP.  I might have had ACPI disabled in the BIOS when I installed the OS, and from what I've read in other forums, I may have to reinstall it.  Ugh.  Looks like a project for next weekend. 

Again, though, thanks for the suggestions!

[tristan]

Make sure all of your Windows drivers are ACPI compliant as well, or some power related options may not be available. If you have Unknown Devices in the device manager, you will have issues with power features.

[Angry_Radish]

I agree, make sure you have all your drivers loaded, especially all the drivers for your specific MB (chipset, etc..)

Make sure all of your Windows drivers are ACPI compliant as well, or some power related options may not be available. If you have Unknown Devices in the device manager, you will have issues with power features.

[the720k]

Okay, I'll look into my drivers.  Everything looks pretty generic in the device manager, which raised my eyebrow.  Would anyone mind if I posted a screenshot of my device manager?

I ask because I have tried again and again to load my motherboard drivers, and Windows never detects new hardware upon boot after installation of the drivers.  Maybe I'm a bit out of touch in my Windows tech skills.   

[gonzo90017]

1.   Open Control Panel, and then double-click System.
2.   Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
3.   On the View menu, click Show Hidden Devices.
4.   Expand Non-Plug and Play Drivers.
5.   Do either of the following:    •   If Microsoft ACPI Driver is not listed:

In the NT APM/Legacy Support branch of the device tree, you will see the item NT Apm/Legacy Interface Node. It will show a red X to indicate that it is disabled.

Right-click NT Apm/Legacy Interface Node, and then click Enable.

After you follow these steps, Windows will shut down correctly.
•   If Microsoft ACPI Driver is listed, follow these steps:    a.    Double-click Microsoft ACPI Driver.
b.    Click the Driver tab, and then in the Type box, click Disabled.
c.    Click OK, and then restart the computer.
d.    When Windows restarts, repeat these steps to open the Microsoft ACPI Driver Properties dialog box, and then click the Driver tab.

Verify the following:    •   Disabled appears in the Type box.
•   Stopped appears in the Status section.

After you verify that the Microsoft ACPI Device is disabled, continue with the following steps to install the NT APM/Legacy device:
e.    Open Control Panel, and then double-click Add Hardware.
f.    When the Hardware Wizard stops searching for new hardware, click Yes, I have already connected the hardware, and then click Next.
g.    Scroll to the bottom of the Installed Hardware list, click Add a new hardware device, and then click Next.
h.    Click Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced), and then click Next.
i.    Under Common Hardware Types, click NT Apm/Legacy Support, and then click Next.
j.    Click NT Apm/Legacy Interface Node, and then click Next.
k.    Click Next again, and then click Finish.



The computer will now correctly shut down.

[the720k]

Thanks.  I had tried previously to find the NT APM/Legacy branch, but it was not there at all.  I'm pretty sure what happened was that I had installed XP with ACPI disabled in my BIOS at the time. 

A fresh install of Windows with ACPI enabled in the BIOS did the trick.  Works like a charm now.  Hope I didn't bother anyone with this stupid mistake I made!