Recently, when I try to shut down Windows, it goes through logging off, but then hangs at the banner " Windows is shutting down" (overnight, was my longest test). This happened occasionally on my prior PC (Win98), but I simply shut off at the power button and started up again - and the problem was fixed. However, now I am on a new PC (since January) with WinXP. But shutting off the power and then turning it back on, does not correct the problem. While I do run McAfee and avast!, I feared a virus, so I used the McAfee site free virus scan and PC was clean. Before I call for an inhome tech visit at $50/hour, does anyone have any suggestions for me to regain a clean shutdown?
What was the last piece of hardware you installed: printer, scanner, CD-RW, Joystick? Uninstall that and see if you can shut down.
It always helps when you ask for help if you give some basic specifics on your PC. Which XP, Pro or home & what service pack number? You could have a basic "not updated" issue. Here are some possible fixes: (Other than needing an update) ___________________________________________________________ Make sure you close all running software first, before shutting down. ________________________________________________________ Try right clicking your system tray items one at a time and exiting them. After each one, do a shut down. If you get a clean shut down stop that systray item from starting in the future. _____________________________________________________ Did you add any USB devices lately like a new keyboard or mouse or camera? If so you may have a "selective suspend" issue at shutdown. 1. Right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager. 2. Double-click Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand it, right-click USB Root Hub, and then click Properties. 3. Click the Power Management tab. 4. Clear the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" check box, and then click OK. If you have more than one "USB Root Hub" entry, do them both. ______________________________________________________ Try shutting down this way and see if it works. If it does, you may have overdosed your PC with more than one virus protection software. PICK ONE PROGRAM ... ANY ONE, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM!!!! It doesn't help. 1. Click Start, and then click Log Off. 2. Click Switch User. 3. Click Turn off computername. 4. Click Turn Off or click Restart. 5. At the prompt that warns that other people are logged on to this computer, click Yes. _________________________________________________________ This is an "outside chance" fix for your problem. Put it back to what it was if this doesn't fix the shutdown. If it's already set, leave it that way. 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2. In Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Power Options. 3. Click the APM tab. 4. Check to select the Enable Advanced Power Management Support check box, and then click OK. _____________________________________________________ Are you using a wireless connection for internet with Win XP Pro? Check your protocol for user authentication. Use your Win XP help button for this one, it's too lengthy to type in here. Try this for the search window "Understanding 802.1x authentication". __________________________________________________________
No new hardware since the inhome tech visit to set up my new system in January. So I followed ddrdan's advice and closed my system tray items -Shutdown WORKED! So I then closed them one at a time and determined that the problem is with the avast! On-Access Scanner - a free download I've been using for months. But it also automatically downloads its own updates. Apparently, a recent update caused my problem with Windows shutdown. So I guess I'll uninstall it, as I run McAfee Security Center also. I have Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2, running on a Dell Dimension 4700 with a Pentium4. Came preloaded with McAfee. McAfee updates itself automatically. Windows XP, I think, sends me a message and a link to update. And I try to follow through. Thanks for the help
Power off your machine. Start the machine in safe mode. Once safe mode has finished loading **** down the machine. When the machine is off turn on the machine normally. Here's why. There are two files that are to when you boot and shutdown. user.dat or the ntuser.dat also the sys.dat files. Both are written to during bootup and the shutdown sequence. IIf you have a problem shutting down it modifies the sys.dat and the ntuser.dat files. so the system has noted the problem. Booting in safe mode and the shutting down also writes and cleans the dat files. Also after your desktop is back up right click on the my computer icon and go to manage. Go and view the logs to see if you can find where it's hanging if the above doesn't clear the error.
