Re: Shut-down problems

Q. My computer will not shut down properly. I get a message that the
computer can be safely shut down, but it won't do it automatically.
When I reboot and then power down, the automatic shutdown works. I'm
using Windows XP. How can I solve this?

A. Shutdown problems can be difficult to diagnose, because the possible
causes are myriad. However, let's look at some possible solutions:

1. Check for a bad sound file. Assuming you have system sounds enabled
on your computer, you could have a bad sound file. Click Start>>Control
Panel. Double-click Sounds and Audio Devices. Select the Sounds tab.
Under Program Events, scroll down to Windows Logoff and click it. Click
the down arrow under sounds and select None. Click Apply>>OK.

2. Something that starts automatically could be causing a problem.
Click Start>>Run. Enter "msconfig" without the quotes and click OK.
Click the Startup tab and note any boxes that are not checked. Select
the General tab and click Selective Startup. Clear Load Startup Items.
Click Apply>>OK.

Use the computer as you normally do. Then try the shutdown. If it shuts
down properly, your problem is probably one of the items in the Startup
tab. Restore them one-by-one until you identify the culprit. You can
probably get by without that item starting automatically.

Are you getting an error message when you try to shut down? If it
references a program, that is the one to look for in Startup. Try
disabling that one only.

3. You may have a process running in the background that is causing the
problem. Check your processes by clicking Ctrl+Alt+Del. Click Task
Manager and the Processes tab. Try ending the processes one-by-one
before shutdown. Most of the processes are parts of Windows and should
not be causing the problem. Others belong to other programs. If an
external process is causing the problem, contact the publisher of the
program for help.

Use Process Explorer to be sure you're identifying everything that
is running. Process Explorer is a free program. Get it at:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

Again, if you get an error message, look for program names. If that
program is among the processes, end the process.

4. Sometimes, a bad driver can cause hangs. A driver is a program
that tells Windows how to interact with a piece of equipment--for
instance, a printer. If you have installed anything recently, check
the manufacturer's Web site for an updated driver. If one is there,
download and install it.

If no driver is available, try uninstalling the new equipment.
Should that cure the problem, get in touch with the manufacturer.

5. Did you recently remove a program? If programs are not deleted
properly, they can leave behind files that cause problems. Programs
should always be deleted through Add/Remove Programs. Click Start>>
Control Panel. Double-click Add/ Remove programs. Find the program
in the list and remove it.

If a file is missing and Windows cannot uninstall the program,
reinstall it. Then go to Add\Remove Programs and delete it.

6. Is this a recent problem? If so, try going back a few days with
System Restore. Click Start>>All Programs>>Accessories>>System Tools>>
System Restore. Select "Restore my computer to an earlier time" and
follow the wizard.

7. If nothing else works, try the Windows Shutdown & Restart Center.
It has tons of tips at:
http://aumha.org/win4/a/shutdown.htm

Also, Microsoft has some information on this at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308029
"vince" <vinval@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:cBNNf.5939$S25.2487@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello,

I am currently using Windows XP Home Edition o/s.

When I attempt to shut-down, my PC goes into stand-by then
locks-up/Freezes.
I do the usual by closing all programs, then go into "Start", "Shutdown".
This then goes into stand-by and locks. I then need to manually shut down
by
physically pushing the PC button.

Does anyone have any suggestions?


Vince P.




.

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