What Now???

Boy oh boy... For some reason lately Windows (XP Pro) won't shut down but restarts instead. I have to shut off the computer to shut down. I was living with this. However, I have already found out, from previous attempts, that everything freezes/locks up if I try to send an attachment with email without first shutting off Zone Alarm Pro 3.0. I sent such an email without doing so (I forgot). This time though I can't just turn everything off and start again. I get a message that I need to remove and anti-virus or like utilities first and to defrag the hard drive before starting Windows again. If I can't get it up and running just how does one do this?

 

Can you start up in safe mode to do it?

If not, start the recovery console (see This article if you don't have it installed and need help getting that done). Try an automated recovery and if that doesn't help, use the command line console and run chkdsk /r and see if that will allow you to get into safe mode at next boot.

 

Sounds like XP hasn't recognized the type of power-handling BIOS your computer has. Go check this link, see the "F-5" box about 2/3 down and an answer may be forthcoming.
Here:XP install tips