Computer Shutting Down - Very Strange!!!

[andyriach]

I have two students when using ANY pc/laptop in the school they randomly shutdown, I have seen this with my own eyes.

 

I created completely new user accounts for both (different usernames) and the same thing happens.

 

One of these students has just reported that whilst another student was logged on she went to that computer within 5 minutes of using it the computer shutdown whilst still logged on as the other student.

 

This other student does NOT have this problem when he is using his account.

 

I am completely confused what is happening here, I have ruled out sabbotage etc. and have checked the event logs to no avail.

 

Any Ideas???

 

Andy Riach

Network Manager

[kmount]

Does it 'shut down' in the windows sense or the power go on it?

 

If the former, that's just twisted, if the latter I've heard of cases where students+static=weird and wonderful results.

 

Short of that, I hear the ghost busters are available ...

 

(Seriously though, very interested in the outcome)

[Michael]

Are they using their own memory sticks out of curiosity? A faulty memory stick and/or USB port produces all kinds of weird and wonderful problems.

[Chris_Jones]

Have you directly observed the shutdown? we had an Issue some time ago where teachers were complaining that PCs in one of our suites were randomly shutting down, however when we looked through the Camera recordings in that suite we found that the shutdowns were caused by pupils reacing over to another pc and pressing the power button - starting the Windows shutdown sequence!

[andyriach]

The computers are shutting down correctly not losing power.

 

I have tried all of the above and watched these students carefully, no memory sticks or students turning off the power buttons.

 

I am going to try removing them from their next ICT lesson and have them work in my office away from the class environment and see if the same happens.

 

Still confused though!!!

 

Andy Riach

Network Manager

[tmcd35]

I take it the pupils don't have access to Run on the start menu or the command prompt? If they do then someone maybe sending a quiet shutdown command from another terminal?

[andyriach]

Students cannot run commands and even if they found a way they wouldn't be able to run them remotely due to permissions.

[jsnetman]

Are there power down buttons on the keyboards, we had this issue a while ago with Stone PC's.

[andyriach]

I setup a brand new laptop this morning and logged on as the student, the laptop DID NOT shutdown.

 

I logged it off and have pulled the student out of her lesson to use this laptop in my office, within 5 minutes of her logging in and using the laptop it shutdown.

 

Both my technician and myself watched everything she was doing, no power keys, usb sticks or anything.

 

This is getting stranger by the second.

 

I might take your advice kmount and call Ghost Busters!!!

 

Andy Riach

Network Manager

[elsiegee40]

The only thing I can think of is PCs mounted under desks.

 

In our ICT Suite, some of the PCs are mounted on the side panels of the computer desking ... Unfortunately, for a few pupils that puts the power button at knee height... so they power machine off accidentally with a knee press.

[andyriach]

This was on a laptop this time!

 

I give up!!!!

 

Andy Riach

Network Manager

[Michael]

Do pupils have their own profiles or do they share a single mandatory profile?

[chrbb]

Try her on a standalone or with a local login. Set up a test login that she could use.

 

Does she have the same problem at home?

 

Just googled and found this.

 

 

http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/x-files-a-computer-jinx.html

Edited October 9, 2009 by chrbb

[ozzy]

Alien implant??

never seen anything like this before

[gibbo_ap]

do they have this problem at home???

does it have the same results they the kid sits infront of a computer and doesnt touch it.

if yes in the latter it would suggest strangeness, if no then try them using a usb kb at a reasonable distance (test proximity).

 

if all else fails just get the kid exorcised

[andyriach]

Pupils have their own profiles, I have tried a standalone pc with local login and the same thing happens.

 

I let her use my pc for 5 minutes logged on as myself and the same happened, I have also tried her with a static wrist band to no avail.

 

Alien implant is becoming more believable.

 

Andy Riach

Network Manager

[DMcCoy]

I guess there are a few things it could be:

 

Profile

Policy

Login script

Autorun.inf in users folders

AV (maybe a corrupt file in users folder / ntfs issue).

 

Does the machine log any shutdown requests? Does it just reboot? If it just reboots then turn off the auto reboot for blue screens.

[sparkeh]

Experienced exact same thing a few years ago. One kid just couldn't use a computer as it kept shutting down. Tried all kinds of things but never solved it before she left.

 

As you have tried standalone PC with local login I think we can rule out it being some form network issue. The common factor is her.

Have you tried to actually ground her to try and rule out the static thing?

Does she have any problems with other electrical equipment?

[tmcd35]

Is it always within or at the same time. Ie, alway 5min after logon? What about work, is the student always in the same program - or have the same document open? As Sparkeh as said, any autorun.inf's lying around in the users profile/documents? Could the user (or another user) have crreated a batch file and either placed it in the students startup folder or set it as a scheduled task?

[tmcd35]

if all else fails just get the kid exorcised

 

10 laps around the fiels should do it (sorry couldn't resist the pun)

[andyriach]

I have just spoken to her and apparently just before she left primary school it started happening there however she says her home PC does not shutdown.

 

I think she may have a stronger magnetic field than most of us - the only explanation i can think of.

 

I am going to give her parents a call to see if she has an effect on any electronic equipment!

 

Andy Riach

Network Manager

 

PS. Thanks for the link chrbb, at least I know I'm not going mad and it does happen to others!!!

[ricki]

Hi

 

I have seen this with broken usb ports and sticks where it would short out the computer.

 

Richard

[p858snake]

I have just spoken to her and apparently just before she left primary school it started happening there however she says her home PC does not shutdown.

 

I think she may have a stronger magnetic field than most of us - the only explanation i can think of.

 

I am going to give her parents a call to see if she has an effect on any electronic equipment!

 

Andy Riach

Network Manager

 

PS. Thanks for the link chrbb, at least I know I'm not going mad and it does happen to others!!!

 

Ohh... a "does anything weird happen with your kid/children?" phone call should be interesting.....

[chrbb]

I have just spoken to her and apparently just before she left primary school it started happening there however she says her home PC does not shutdown.

 

 

She's at a very sensitive age so tread carefully! Anything that makes her feel different, odd, more noticable than the other pupils may shatter her self confidence.

 

(Just a thought from a female point of view!)

[andyriach]

I have took all of this on-board and I am dealing with this in conjunction with my vice-principal, she will make the phone call and discuss the issue with her parents.

 

I understand the situation this could create amongst her fellow students.

 

Andy Riach

Network Manager