Backup Fails & Slow Shutdown

I do not know if these 2 problems are related:

1. I am running Win7-64 with no problems since October 2009. The last 2 to 3 weeks, I have noticed a very long time to shutdown. Any suggestions for a remedy?

2. For 2 years I have used Windows Backup. First Vista and then Win7-64 with no problems. This past Sunday, the backup failed. I tried several times to manually engage the backup but the program becomes unresponsive. Any thoughts on this?

I appreciate any guidance. Thanks.

 

It means the virus has damage your backup and it is to slower the shutdown process. You need a batter anti virus. I use AVG. It is the best for me.

 

Thanks for your suggestions and opinions.

hitech: I use AVG (the paid program) with all its bells and whistles. I have set-up automatic scans and live protection (including automatic updates).

FYI: I have automatic disc functions performed on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, i.e., de-frags.

Also, I use CCleaner to help locate problems with my registry. I follow the program's prompts (always saving changes in a dedicated folder/file).

I tried to do several things recently:
1. check-disc my primary hard-drive (scheduled at start-up). The program starts then shuts down stating a "program" is preventing the diagnostic.
2. I reviewed programs added about the time the "Slow Shut-down" started. Win7 freezes during its uninstall.

3. I am no expert, but I think something (for whatever reason) has corrupted some features of Windows.

Any ideas???