Problem shutting down

Most people have trouble getting the computer to start; I have trouble getting it to stop.

I'm running WinXP Pro SP2 on a Dell Optiplex. About 50% of the time, when I want to shut down, I get past the "Saving your settings" screen, to "Windows is shutting down ". And that's as far as it goes. I then have to manually turn off the computer. It doesn't matter whether I've selected "Shut Down" or "Restart ". The other 50% of the time it shuts down like it's supposed to.

Any help in resolving this will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Hi, helpseeker.

I searched the Microsoft Knowledge Base for shutting down computer hangs.

Perhaps one of those links will provide a solution that works for you.


EDIT: BTW, how much time are you allowing for the shutdown to complete before you conclude the shutdown failed?

 

So far, only about 2 minutes.

 

When I had the exact same problem it was Software related in my case Nero corrupted itself and caused Windows to act this way, think of any recently installed Software.
My first thought was the Registry and I used Registry Mechanic but no Joy, only when I attempted to use Nero InCD and it did not work, I re-installed Nero and Bingo my no shut down problem was solved for good.
Just a thought.

 

Thanks. Yeah, that may be what's happening. I installed some software recently. I think rather than do a lot of re-installing, I'll just live with the shutdown 'problem', as long as the computer works well while it's running.

 

Would you be so kind to provide the forums the name(s) of the program(s) you added when delayed shutdowns started.
Possible we can provide some feedback which could assist and not require removing new programs. One possibility is new software added a new process at startup. Many times these are not required for functionality of the software ... but maybe be causing your shutdown issue.

Thank you for any input
Dennis L

 

Recent additions include:

TaxCut 2007
Clavier
The Ultimate Troubleshooter
Sound Tap
Gspot
Switch
DVD Flick
uTorrent
CA Antivirus

If you discover any troublesome processes, please let me know. Thank you.

 

Suggestion (if you're brave and careful):

Download the stand-alone version of Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel or Microsoft's AutoRuns, unzip it (if necessary) to a location of your choice and and execute it. Use the utility to disable any startups associated with the software you listed above. Be sure you do not disable any necessary startups that may be required for your computer to boot.

If you are unsure about a startup, then refer to the information available via Pacman's Portal. If you are still unsure, then please post the information you are confused about and we might be able to help you decide whether it is safe to disable the startup(s) you are unsure about.

After disabling all startups associated with the programs you listed, shut down, allowing several minutes for the shutdown to complete (i.e., up to a half hour). If necessary, do a forced shutdown (by holding in the power button until the system shuts down).

Upon starting your computer again, the startups you disabled should not activate. Allow several minutes for your system to load (at least until the hard drive activity stops). Then try shutting down again. If the shutdown is normal, then try a few more boot-ups and shutdowns to be sure the shutdowns continue to occur normally. If the shutdowns continue to occur normally, then re-enable the startups you disabled (one at a time) and test a few cycles of boots and shutdowns for each enabled startup until your shutdowns start hanging again.

This might help you identify which program's start-up(s) are causing your shutdown issue [if any of those startup(s) are causing the issue].


EDIT: BTW, is there any chance you are running any other antivirus in addition to CA Antivirus? (Running two or more antivirus programs concurrently can cause conflicts.)

 

I'm afraid I'm not that brave. I'll just live with the problem, at least for a while.

No, no other anti-virus programs.

Thanks to you and the others for your help.