Windows 7 failing to shut down

[SwatSkillz]

Greetings everyone

I'm not very experienced with computer technology but I have recently completed by 2nd custom build and found a strange issue. Whenever I shut down the PC, it closes everything as normal, the screen goes black and visually, it looks like it's shut down. However, the LEDs remain on and I can hear the fans spinning, meaning the computer is still being powered. I've tried leaving it in this state for hours and it would just remain like this, the fans spinning and the screen- black. Restarting the computer works just fine, it switches off and switches back on. I've tried the "sfc /scannow" in case there were corrupt files but the issue wasn't fixed. Editing the startup services in "msconfig" also didn't change anything. The BIOS is updated to the most recent version and the antivirus software (I'm using AVG) doesn't affect the shutting down process. Could you suggest what the issue is and any possible solutions?

Specs:
ASRock B75M-GL Motherboard, rev 2.0
Intel Pentium G2030 Processor
4GB RAM, XMS3 Corsair
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Wireless Keyboard & Mouse (I've unchecked the option for both of these devices to be able to wake the computer up)

Thank you

P.S. In order to turn the computer off, I've been forced to hold the power button for 5 seconds as it stops responding to anything else once it goes into the "black screen" state

 

[Joe Porter]

Are you overclocking anything out of interest?

Try downloading OCCT and running CPU, GPU and PSU tests it is most likely a hardware issue of some kind? Probably PSU, but maybe MOBO, GPU or even CPU.

 

[SwatSkillz]

Are you overclocking anything out of interest?

Try downloading OCCT and running CPU, GPU and PSU tests it is most likely a hardware issue of some kind? Probably PSU, but maybe MOBO, GPU or even CPU.

Hi Joe,

No I am not overclocking anything. The computer also doesn't have a GPU and is operating from the integrated graphics from the board. I was wondering if you could explain to me what exactly I am looking for in these tests? I receive a load of screenshots showing me the performance of the 2 components (PSU and CPU) but the graph doesn't let me know what's wrong, if anything. The test for the processor runs well without any errors. However, for the PSU, it ends around the 1 minute mark. I'm guessing its suggesting there's a hardware issue with the power box itself?

 

[SwatSkillz]

Are you overclocking anything out of interest?

Try downloading OCCT and running CPU, GPU and PSU tests it is most likely a hardware issue of some kind? Probably PSU, but maybe MOBO, GPU or even CPU.

I also think it makes sense to let you know that the system I am currently operating is my 2nd installation attempt. The first time around I made a few mistakes installing the OS in terms of drives and then messed it up when I was changing a few statements in the registry. Back in the 1st attempt however, the computer did shut down correctly. This started occuring after I formatted all the drives and reinstalled windows.

 

[Joe Porter]

Just checking if the PSU is shot or not! Sounds okay to me though.

do you have the 24 and 8 pin power connected to the motherboard properly?
Edit: See if you can find out which fans keep spinning? Is it the PSU fan, heatsink etc?

 

[SwatSkillz]

Just checking if the PSU is shot or not! Sounds okay to me though.

do you have the 24 and 8 pin power connected to the motherboard properly?
Edit: See if you can find out which fans keep spinning? Is it the PSU fan, heatsink etc?

I've fitted the 24 and 8 pins as tightly as possible and still no difference, seems they were fine before.
Of the 3 fans that are installed, CPU, PSU and case fans, all 3 keep spinning. The only indication of the computer shutting down is the monitor displaying the "Shutting down..." message after which the screen goes black as normal. The LEDs and the fans are unaffected.

 

[SwatSkillz]

Hi everyone,

After a little bit of fiddling with software and hardware, it seems I still couldn't find the issue. It was, however, resolved when I took one of the batteries out of the motherboard and put it back in. The system had a mini reset of my personal preferences as well as the time and date settings, yet the computer is now shutting down perfectly fine. If anyone has a logical explanation for this- I'd love to hear it, as I am still confused
Thank you

 

[Joe Porter]

Well the battery you speak of is the CMOS which is a battery powered memory chip that stores your start up information. So when you took that out it forgot all the start up information and reset the BIOS settings such as date and time etc..... How that stopped the fans going is anyone's guess. Presumably there was a setting in your BIOS that was causing your issue but the reset has somehow resolved it.

One of lifes great mysteries.