Windows automatically turns off the PC when I tell it to shut down, and I don't want it to (or vice-versa)

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Windows automatically turns off the PC when I tell it to shut down, and I don't want it to (or vice-versa)

Explanation:
When you select "Shut down the computer" from the Windows "Shut Down" menu, the PC is completely powered down automatically instead of your being given the chance to do this manually, or, the opposite, you want this to happen and it isn't happening.
Diagnosis:
This is a power management feature that is built into Windows. In order to make use of it, you must have an ATX form factor motherboard, because ATX boards support the ability to have the PC turned off under software control. You must also have a board that supports advanced power management (APM) features. If the feature is not working then one of these conditions has been violated; if you want it to stop then you must disable the power management feature.
Recommendation:

If the system automatically powers down when you shut down Windows and you don't want this to happen, the easiest way to stop it is to disable all power management features in the system BIOS.
If you want automatic power-down to occur, make sure that you have an ATX system and that power management is not totally disabled in the system BIOS. You can tell the system BIOS to not activate its power-saving "standby" or "suspend" modes, if you wish; just don't totally disable all power management functions.
If you have power management enabled and an ATX system and power-off still does not work, try runnin an "Add new hardware" session in Windows (from the Control Panel) and have Windows search for new devices. It should find and enable the power management feature.

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