[Leitz]

Ok so I purchased a PC from Overclockers.co.uk (see spec) in December 2008

Approx 3 months ago it started to take its time shutting down, approximate times are below.

Start -> Shut Down -> (5 minutes) -> Shut Down -> (2 minutes) -> Power Off
Start -> Shut Down -> (5 minutes) -> Restart -> (2 minutes) -> Restart

The only way I can get a fast shutdown is:

CTRL+ALT+DEL -> Shut Down -> Shut Down

I have done a checkdisk:

chkdsk /r

I have scanned my PC for viruses and spyware/adware:

Spybot S&D
Bullguard Internet Security 8.5

Both of these are up-to-date.

I have also defragmented my PC.

Kinda ripping my hair out at the moment as I have tried everything I know of what to do. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[pat mcgroin]

If you are comfortable in the registry give this a look.
This is a fairly common cause of slow shutdowns.

Start Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:

[HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management]

Set ClearPageFileAtShutdown value to 0

Or, using Group Policy Editor [for Windows XP Professional]

Click Start, Run and type Secpol.msc
Click Local Policies | Security Options
In the right-pane, set Shutdown: Clear virtual memory pagefile to Disabled

 

[Leitz]

ok and what does that do technicaly, it prevents the pagefile from being deleted at shutdown? does the pagefile get reset on startup if I do this?

 

[Leitz]

Oh and also, I should have said it's Windows XP Home =0)

 

[Leitz]

Ok, so I did what pat mcgroin told me to do, but it hasn't worked.

ClearPageFileAtShutdown value was already 0

Secpol.msc didn't exist =0S maybe because it's XP Home.

Anyone got any ideas on how to fix this? Don't really fancy having to create BAT shutdown, restart, hibernate files.