Dell laptop will not stay shut down

[shdw219]

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 with WinXP Media Center (2002) SP2 - 1.6g and 512 RAM.
Using Avast anti-virus, ran a complete scan, no virus found.

When I shut down this laptop, through windows or holding the power key 4 seconds, it powers down normally but it immediately restarts. The only thing that seems to have any effect is closing the cover. When I open the cover it restarts also.

I tried going into the BIOS to see if there was some setting causing this but I can't get there. When the Dell splash screen appears I press F2 but I never get to the bios. Can't get to the diagnostic utility either (F10 or F12, I can't remember). It seems like no keystrokes are registering during startup. I have a cordless keyboard but I have unplugged it and used the internal; no luck.

[stevejohnson1958]

What are your Power Schemes set to under Control Panel/Power Options?

[shdw219]

Power scheme is portable/laptop with only a system standby after 1 hour on battery

[Broni]

Try to disable standby.

[stevejohnson1958]

Broni...ya beat me to it...

[Broni]

I hate those sleepwalking thingies...

[patio]

Broni...ya beat me to it...

He's gettin pretty quick in his advanced stages of Life....

      

[Broni]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[shdw219]

Set standby to never and disabled hibernate, no change yet.

[Broni]

Wake on LAN may be another possibility.
I realize, for some reason, you can't access BIOS, so disconnect laptop from the net, and see, if same thing happens.

[shdw219]

Unplugged wireless router and shut down.
Still re-starting spontaneously

[Broni]

On-board wireless, or plug-in card?
If the latter, remove.

[shdw219]

On board so that's about all I can do, unplug the router.

[Broni]

If you boot to Safe Mode, will same thing happen?

[shdw219]

I was able to get to safe mode once but I couldn't think of anything to try there.