Windows will not shut down

[jazzdrive3]

The screen stays on the "Windows is shutting down..." text. We've left it on overnight, almost 12 hours, and it is still on this screen. We always need to manually hold the power button down to finish it.

How do I find out what the problem is?

We don't have roxio, or any of the other typical causes.

This is happening on a few of our computers, but we also have a few computers that have the exact same hardware and software installed, but shutdown just fine.

 

[bigbadbet]

For starters have a look at the event viewer log and compare both the apps and the system logs with a pc that shutsdown just fine.
(To get to event viewer go start run type without the quotes"eventvwr" and enter.)

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

Are these computers up to date with the latest updates and service packs?

Joey
A+, Network+, MCP

 

[jazzdrive3]

Not sure if they are up to date. They are on SP2, but other than that, I'll have to check.

And what should I be looking for in the Event Viewer? What should I be trying to compare?

 

[bigbadbet]

it will show up with either a yellow exclamation mark or a red X.
then double click on them to see what service has failed. as there's likely to be one when it is trying to shut down.
AS jazzdrive3 said make sure it is upto date with all patches and updates.
if you have a network connection still open it might be causing probs. This quite often happens with wireless cards.
It sounds like you have a program that is not releasing system resources, so it could also be your AV. I would use something like autoruns from sysinternals(MS), or just use msconfig and do a basic bootup and try and shutdown from there.
Or i would try and close using taskmanager as many processes as possible before i shutdown, and go from there.
Hope it helps,
Tim

 

[captaincrunch00]

Stop as many services as you can before you shutdown, or you can do it the way described above, but hitting "Stop" to 10 services is a lot easier in my book.

I dont understand how an XP security update is going to fix this problem. I cant stand how people say "Run a virus scan, spyware scan, and patch everything up" when it's so blatantly obvious that it isnt the problem. If you dont have any idea how to fix a problem other than doing those 3 things, dont try to help other people with their problems that obviously arent that simple to fix.

Now that I'm done my rant....

Unplug any other devices plugged into the computer that you dont need, and if that doesnt help try taking out any PCI cards you dont need.

My only question is: If you boot up and immediately check the services that are running do any of them say "Starting" and not "Started" ?
If so, what are they?

Another test: Boot up and immediately shut back down, dont run any programs, dont run anything at all. Boot to desktop and immediately shut down.
If it works, then it's probably a program accessing something that wont let go of it like it should.

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

I dont understand how an XP security update is going to fix this problem. I cant stand how people say "Run a virus scan, spyware scan, and patch everything up" when it's so blatantly obvious that it isnt the problem. If you dont have any idea how to fix a problem other than doing those 3 things, dont try to help other people with their problems that obviously arent that simple to fix.

I assume this quote was an attack at me and bigbadbet for suggesting that his computers be up to date. I never said that an XP security update was going to fix this problem. Microsoft offers much more than security updates for their OS through Windows update. I asked this question to get a baseline and make sure he had the latest service packs to get an idea of where his computers were at to rule out the simple problems, like any tech would do. Since you obviously know everything about computers we should let you handle this. Of course the first step he should take would be to start ripping out all his hardware, because you suggested this. After all you wrote the Windows kernel didn't you? Here are two Microsoft KB articles (written by Microsoft, the maker of the Windows XP OS) that describe shutdown problems due to outdated computers. We are all trying to help out here so chill out. End rant.

-Windows stops responding during Windows XP shut down

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307274&sd=RMVP

You May Not Be Able to Shut Down Your Windows XP Computer

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320008&sd=RMVP

Joey
A+, Network+, MCP

 

[jazzdrive3]

I tried shutting down immediately upon startup, and still no luck. So it's not a program we are manually running.

I can see anything in the event logs about stalled services or anything else that looks suspicious.

 

[bigbadbet]

I assume this quote was an attack at me and bigbadbet for suggesting that his computers be up to date. I never said that an XP security update was going to fix this problem. Microsoft offers much more than security updates for their OS through Windows update. I asked this question to get a baseline and make sure he had the latest service packs to get an idea of where his computers were at to rule out the simple problems, like any tech would do. Since you obviously know everything about computers we should let you handle this. Of course the first step he should take would be to start ripping out all his hardware, because you suggested this. After all you wrote the Windows kernel didn't you? Here are two Microsoft KB articles (written by Microsoft, the maker of the Windows XP OS) that describe shutdown problems due to outdated computers. We are all trying to help out here so chill out. End rant.

yeah - what he said!!!! We are Only here trying to help....

I dont understand how an XP security update is going to fix this problem.

........and as any good techie will tell you if you don't understand something go look it up study and learn. That way you will be able to come back and say patching/updating the pc won't fix this problem because....

 

[bigbadbet]

Jazzdrive,
when you have booted up, logged in and everything is running, right click on the taskbar and select task manager.
when on task manager goto the processes tab. At the bottom of this tab it will tell you how many processes are working. Id say on average youd have somewhere between 26-40 processes depending on how your pc is setup, the fewer the better. i would try going through this list and stop as many processes as possible, some won't let you. once your happy with that i would try and shutdown the pc. ps make a note of what tasks you shut down cos this will help you find the culprit.

I just remembered i have seen this before on a personal pc riddled with spyware that wouldn't shut down, so despite what Captaincrunch00 said, it could well be that.

 

[clapper62]

You could try booting into safe mode and then see if it will shut down by itself

"There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it.
." - Andrew Jackson

 

[captaincrunch00]

........and as any good techie will tell you if you don't understand something go look it up study and learn. That way you will be able to come back and say patching/updating the pc won't fix this problem because....

I know security updates wont fix it, so rather than find info on how it wont help (experience) why dont you tell me how it possibly could. Both articles Illogic quoted were inaccurate since he is already at a higher SP level... we've already gone over this.

And I never said stopping tasks wouldnt help, I just said stopping the services is much easier.


I agree with Illogic that doing a basic startup from MSCONFIG would let you know where the problem is; safemode or the normal bootup. If it fails both places, then we can take a closer look at drivers and memory allocation...

 

[bigbadbet]

take a look at this link and see if it helps. I've used some of their guides to help troubleshoot shutdown before.

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.php

however if you can't find what you want there i agree starting at msconfig and a safeboot is the best place to start.
N.B. I have also seen this on an XP machine with an illegal copy of XP on it and the WGA getting in the way - again! Just a thought.

 

[Mgoo]

I currently have this problem. I've read that this problem may be caused if you have a welcome screen enabled. Try to change it to prompt or tunr it off

 

[jazzdrive3]

I started in safe mode and then tried to shut down. It still did not shut down.

 

[gbaughma]

Here's a thing to try:

Try turning off your shutdown sound.

I have seen where a corrupted sound file will keep windows from shutting down properly.



Just my 2¢
-ARRGH! All my clothes are wrinkled! Oh, the irony!

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com