Suddenly not shutting down

I have read most of the previous discussions on this topic and none is exactly my problem so I would appreciate some help.
I have been running Windows 2000 PE since January with no problems Also run Norton Firewall, Anti-virus and System tools. All are upddated regularly but about ten days ago it reused to shut down. I now have to use the reset button on the computer case. My wallpaper even stays put and there are no error nmessages. <Ctrl><del><alt> responds but doesn't workl, <start><u> doesn't work, <alt><f4> dosn't work.
What has gone wrong?
David

 

I may be way off base, but the first thing that comes to my mind is a virus keeping it's internet connection alive. Try disconnecting from the internet first. Try to identify all running process here and shut down any not required for system operation before trying to shut down machine. Wouldn't hurt to do some online scans.

eTrust scanner in my signature

RAV

Housecall

 

Have a look in the Administrative Tools|Event Viewer for any errors/clues. Sounds like something is hanging during the shutdown request.
Obviously you've left the PC for a few minutes in the failed state in case of any errors?
There is a registry edit to increase the shutdown time to allow recalcitrant programmes time to close, but this is usually indicated by a not responding dialog box that you don't have.

You're running latest drivers for PCI/graphics cards, network (if present) and M/B drivers etc?

 

Windows wouldn't shut down

Many thanks Dave and Pau. I have taken your advice and did some scans. I found 16 (!) errors in the registy. When I fixed this the system has now returned to normal. I cannot explain why this happened because one of my weekly schduled tasks is an OBC scan. Anyway, whatever the reason, there is is. Many thanks!
Dave, how does one do an 'online scan'?

David

 

Good to hear you got it worked out. To do an online scan, just click on one of the links provided, say RAV, then click the 'click here' to continue without subscribing link(unless you want to). You'll be promted to allow an ActiveX control, click yes. You will be directed to a page for choosing your scanning options and when the definitions load, and a choice is made, the scan will begin.

They all are a bit different but basically work the same. I do several different ones on a regular basis just to be sure something didn't slip in and disable my onboard protection. It does happen. Hasn't to me yet but I know of others it has, and as long as the possibility is there, it doesn't hurt to check.