See this link for troubleshooting shutdown problems:
Windows XP Shutdown and Restart Troubleshooting
http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm
http://aumha.org/a/tshoot.htm
RvV wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Each time I try to reboot or shutdown XP I see that two little icons in the
> taskbar dissapear, but after that nothing happens, no reboot or shutdown. If
> I check the event viewer it says:
>
> The attempt to shutdown PC1 failed
>
> The link in the message gives me this info
>
> ---
>
> Product: Windows Operating System
> ID: 1073
> Source: USER32
> Version: 5.2
> Symbolic Name: WARNING_EW_SHUTDOWN_CANCELLED
> Message: The attempt by user %2 to restart/shutdown computer %1 failed
>
> Explanation
> This event is written when a user or application attempts, but fails,
> to restart or shut down the computer by using either the graphical user
> interface (GUI) or the shutdown command.
>
>
> User Action
> If you still want to restart or shut down the computer, save any open
> files, close any applications that are running, and then you can:
>
> a.. Use either the graphical user interface (GUI) or the shutdown
> command again.
> b.. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then while pressing CTRL, click Shut
> Down to force a shutdown.
> c.. Press the reset or power button on the computer.
>
>
> ---
>
> So basically I can now only reboot or shutdown from the task manager.
>
> What can I do to fix this?
>
> I keep reading that enabling APS in the Power Options might solve this
> problem, but I don't have a tab APS in Power Options.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rik.
>
>