[SOLVED] Computer won't shut down

**quiXilver** · 09-05-2008, 10:52 AM

Lately when I click Start>Turn off Computer the mouse pointer turns to an hour glass and then nothing else happens. The computer freezes up, but you can still move the mouse around. Sometimes it will get to the "Windows is shutting down, Saving your settings..." then it will just freeze there.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

**tecknomage** · 09-05-2008, 11:29 AM

From your desktop...

[Start], All Programs, Accessories, open Command Prompt
Enter CHKDSK C: /F and [Y] to the reboot question
Reboot your system and let CHKDSK do its thing

Note, you should be running this as periodically as part of OS maintenance, like every month (minimum), along with Disk Cleanup in System Tools (just do not clean compressed files).

**quiXilver** · 09-05-2008, 03:41 PM

I just got 2 brand new hard drives and my computer has only been running for 2 weeks.

Isn't it bad to run chkdsk on a bad hard drive anyway?

Should I still run CHKDSK? I don't want anything to happen to my files again. I'm still not recovered from my computer crashing on me last month..

Here is what happened.

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...same-time.html

Ok, I ran CHKDSK, I let it run while I worked on something else, came back to the computer and it was at the desktop. So I guess everything checked out ok. Now what?

Anyone?

Lately when I click Start>Turn off Computer the mouse pointer turns to an hour glass and then nothing else happens. The computer freezes up, but you can still move the mouse around. Sometimes it will get to the "Windows is shutting down, Saving your settings..." then it will just freeze there. I tried posting this thread in the Windows XP thread, but no one seemed to have any ideas that worked.

Any ideas?

Thanks

**stressfreesoul** · 09-25-2008, 03:20 PM

Does it happen on every shut-down?
It usually does this because there is a process running that it cant close. This could be a normal process that isnt responding properly, a Windows component thats being a pain in the rear, or a virus. First of all, try a thorough scan of XP, with a good anti virus program, then run a scan with anti-spyware. If this brings up nothing, uninstall programs you have installed one at a time with a reboot between each. Sounds tedious I know, but it will tell you whether you have a malfunctioning program.

**quiXilver** · 09-25-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressfreesoul

Does it happen on every shut-down?
It usually does this because there is a process running that it cant close. This could be a normal process that isnt responding properly, a Windows component thats being a pain in the rear, or a virus. First of all, try a thorough scan of XP, with a good anti virus program, then run a scan with anti-spyware. If this brings up nothing, uninstall programs you have installed one at a time with a reboot between each. Sounds tedious I know, but it will tell you whether you have a malfunctioning program.

I just had a clean install of windows. I have kaspersky and Spybot Search and Destroy. It doesn't find anything. It isn't trying to shut a program down, I know what you're talking about.

**stressfreesoul** · 09-25-2008, 04:29 PM

Then a repair install is in order, unless you have already tried it.

**quiXilver** · 09-25-2008, 05:09 PM

Is there no "shutdown.ini" or something similar to "boot.ini" I can reinstall?

Ok, so it does shut down it just takes an eternity. I've checked my processes, it doesn't seem like anything is hanging it up, anyone else got anything I can try?

**stressfreesoul** · 10-03-2008, 07:36 AM

A repair install might be the only option, if it has done this from the moment you installed it, then its not installed correctly. Also, run Memtest on all your memory, you'll need to burn that ISO to disk and reboot with it in.
Just out of curiosity, please could you give me more information on your hardware setup.

**quiXilver** · 10-05-2008, 10:03 PM

What more do you want to know that's not under "My System"?

**stressfreesoul** · 10-06-2008, 12:56 PM

Sorry to go back to the virus topic again, but have you had virus on this HDD before the install of XP or was it installed on a brand new drive? It will help rule that possibility out, as virus can stay even after a reinstall.
Hardware setup means what is inside your case, you can find this information by either taking the case panel off and making note of makes and models, or by using a program such as Everest.

**quiXilver** · 10-06-2008, 02:47 PM

These HDD's were brand new when I installed them.

Here are my system specs:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Dual Core 2.8Ghz
Mainboard: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe
Memory: 4GB of Corsair PC6400
Hard Drive: 2 500GB Seagate 7.2kRPM 3.0GB/s in Raid 0
Video: BFG 8800GTS 640MB
Sound: On board
CD Rom: Pioneer 111D
Power Supply: Thermaltake 750w
Printer: Epson R200 Direct CD Printing
OS: Win XP Pro

**stressfreesoul** · 10-06-2008, 03:24 PM

Please try this...

Hold the Start key and press Pause/Break

Click on the Advanced tab and click on the performance settings button.

Click on the advanced tab of the window that opens.

Please report how much Virtual Memory it says is being allocated in the Virtual Memory box at the bottom of the window.

ds204 · 10-07-2008, 05:34 AM

I had this problem on my system and solved it by downloading the latest updates fro xp. The problem is to do with the windows automatic update program. Thats the program that is causing the freeze because windows is trying to apply updates or something similar. If you go into an internet explorer window, then go to tools, windows update, it should take you through the updating. Hope this helps :)

dai · 10-07-2008, 09:13 AM

is apm and pnp enabled in the bios

**quiXilver** · 10-09-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ds204

I had this problem on my system and solved it by downloading the latest updates fro xp. The problem is to do with the windows automatic update program. Thats the program that is causing the freeze because windows is trying to apply updates or something similar. If you go into an internet explorer window, then go to tools, windows update, it should take you through the updating. Hope this helps :)

Son of a gun, that worked! Thanks!!

dai · 10-09-2008, 11:36 PM

glad you have it sorted

09-05-2008, 10:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
quiXilver Thanks for the help! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 100 OS: Win XP Pro My System	[SOLVED] Computer won't shut down Lately when I click Start>Turn off Computer the mouse pointer turns to an hour glass and then nothing else happens. The computer freezes up, but you can still move the mouse around. Sometimes it will get to the "Windows is shutting down, Saving your settings..." then it will just freeze there. Any ideas? Thanks.

09-05-2008, 11:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
tecknomage TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 928 OS: WinXP Pro SP3	Re: Computer won't shut down, have to hold power button From your desktop... [Start], All Programs, Accessories, open Command Prompt Enter CHKDSK C: /F and [Y] to the reboot question Reboot your system and let CHKDSK do its thing Note, you should be running this as periodically as part of OS maintenance, like every month (minimum), along with Disk Cleanup in System Tools (just do not clean compressed files). __________________ Tecknomage Computer System Specialist IT Technician

09-05-2008, 03:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
quiXilver Thanks for the help! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 100 OS: Win XP Pro My System	I just got 2 brand new hard drives and my computer has only been running for 2 weeks. Isn't it bad to run chkdsk on a bad hard drive anyway? Should I still run CHKDSK? I don't want anything to happen to my files again. I'm still not recovered from my computer crashing on me last month.. Here is what happened. http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...same-time.html Ok, I ran CHKDSK, I let it run while I worked on something else, came back to the computer and it was at the desktop. So I guess everything checked out ok. Now what? Anyone? Lately when I click Start>Turn off Computer the mouse pointer turns to an hour glass and then nothing else happens. The computer freezes up, but you can still move the mouse around. Sometimes it will get to the "Windows is shutting down, Saving your settings..." then it will just freeze there. I tried posting this thread in the Windows XP thread, but no one seemed to have any ideas that worked. Any ideas? Thanks Last edited by dai; 10-07-2008 at 09:08 AM.

09-25-2008, 03:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
stressfreesoul Semi-Absent (life, eh?) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: County Durham UK Posts: 1,852 OS: XP, Win7 RC x64, Ubuntu x64 multiboot My System Blog Entries: 7	Re: Computer won't shut down Does it happen on every shut-down? It usually does this because there is a process running that it cant close. This could be a normal process that isnt responding properly, a Windows component thats being a pain in the rear, or a virus. First of all, try a thorough scan of XP, with a good anti virus program, then run a scan with anti-spyware. If this brings up nothing, uninstall programs you have installed one at a time with a reboot between each. Sounds tedious I know, but it will tell you whether you have a malfunctioning program. __________________ TSF Folding@Home, find out how to do your bit in the fight against Cancer "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut" xbox Live tag: storiedmedal Warning!! GTA IV addict! Join my game at your peril!

09-25-2008, 04:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
stressfreesoul Semi-Absent (life, eh?) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: County Durham UK Posts: 1,852 OS: XP, Win7 RC x64, Ubuntu x64 multiboot My System Blog Entries: 7	Re: Computer won't shut down Then a repair install is in order, unless you have already tried it. __________________ TSF Folding@Home, find out how to do your bit in the fight against Cancer "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut" xbox Live tag: storiedmedal Warning!! GTA IV addict! Join my game at your peril!

09-25-2008, 05:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
quiXilver Thanks for the help! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 100 OS: Win XP Pro My System	Is there no "shutdown.ini" or something similar to "boot.ini" I can reinstall? Ok, so it does shut down it just takes an eternity. I've checked my processes, it doesn't seem like anything is hanging it up, anyone else got anything I can try? Last edited by dai; 10-07-2008 at 09:09 AM.

10-03-2008, 07:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
stressfreesoul Semi-Absent (life, eh?) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: County Durham UK Posts: 1,852 OS: XP, Win7 RC x64, Ubuntu x64 multiboot My System Blog Entries: 7	Re: Computer won't shut down A repair install might be the only option, if it has done this from the moment you installed it, then its not installed correctly. Also, run Memtest on all your memory, you'll need to burn that ISO to disk and reboot with it in. Just out of curiosity, please could you give me more information on your hardware setup. __________________ TSF Folding@Home, find out how to do your bit in the fight against Cancer "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut" xbox Live tag: storiedmedal Warning!! GTA IV addict! Join my game at your peril!

10-05-2008, 10:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
quiXilver Thanks for the help! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 100 OS: Win XP Pro My System	Re: Computer won't shut down What more do you want to know that's not under "My System"?

10-06-2008, 12:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
stressfreesoul Semi-Absent (life, eh?) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: County Durham UK Posts: 1,852 OS: XP, Win7 RC x64, Ubuntu x64 multiboot My System Blog Entries: 7	Re: Computer won't shut down Sorry to go back to the virus topic again, but have you had virus on this HDD before the install of XP or was it installed on a brand new drive? It will help rule that possibility out, as virus can stay even after a reinstall. Hardware setup means what is inside your case, you can find this information by either taking the case panel off and making note of makes and models, or by using a program such as Everest. __________________ TSF Folding@Home, find out how to do your bit in the fight against Cancer "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut" xbox Live tag: storiedmedal Warning!! GTA IV addict! Join my game at your peril!

10-06-2008, 02:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
quiXilver Thanks for the help! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 100 OS: Win XP Pro My System	Re: Computer won't shut down These HDD's were brand new when I installed them. Here are my system specs: CPU: AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Dual Core 2.8Ghz Mainboard: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Memory: 4GB of Corsair PC6400 Hard Drive: 2 500GB Seagate 7.2kRPM 3.0GB/s in Raid 0 Video: BFG 8800GTS 640MB Sound: On board CD Rom: Pioneer 111D Power Supply: Thermaltake 750w Printer: Epson R200 Direct CD Printing OS: Win XP Pro

10-06-2008, 03:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
stressfreesoul Semi-Absent (life, eh?) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: County Durham UK Posts: 1,852 OS: XP, Win7 RC x64, Ubuntu x64 multiboot My System Blog Entries: 7	Re: Computer won't shut down Please try this... Hold the Start key and press Pause/Break Click on the Advanced tab and click on the performance settings button. Click on the advanced tab of the window that opens. Please report how much Virtual Memory it says is being allocated in the Virtual Memory box at the bottom of the window. __________________ TSF Folding@Home, find out how to do your bit in the fight against Cancer "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut" xbox Live tag: storiedmedal Warning!! GTA IV addict! Join my game at your peril!

10-07-2008, 05:34 AM	#13 (permalink)
ds204 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Suffolk, England Posts: 25 OS: Xp Service Pack 3	Re: Computer won't shut down I had this problem on my system and solved it by downloading the latest updates fro xp. The problem is to do with the windows automatic update program. Thats the program that is causing the freeze because windows is trying to apply updates or something similar. If you go into an internet explorer window, then go to tools, windows update, it should take you through the updating. Hope this helps :) __________________ ---Dan---

10-07-2008, 09:13 AM	#14 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,630 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Computer won't shut down is apm and pnp enabled in the bios __________________

10-09-2008, 11:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,630 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Computer won't shut down glad you have it sorted __________________