XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2 GHz).

When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black screen
with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a dead black
screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack or something.

The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5 minutes.

Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
started - always showing a clean slate.

In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my extension
hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up or not.

--
JimL

WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?

User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com



"JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:5c834$4a5d1e48$c4db94d$(E-Mail Removed)...
> XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2 GHz).
>
> When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black
> screen with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a dead
> black screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack or
> something.
>
> The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5 minutes.
>
> Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
> started - always showing a clean slate.
>
> In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my extension
> hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up or not.
>
> --
> JimL
>
> WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?
>

Hello,

Look at the Event Viewer for some clues. Here's how

Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer

Look under Application and System for 'Error' and 'Warnings'. More
information on Event Viewers here - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427

Regards,
Singapore Computer Home Repair Service
http://www.bootstrike.com/ComputerService/
Video Conversion VHS Video8 Hi8 Digital8 MiniDv MicroMv
http://www.bootstrike.com/VHSVideoConvert/
"JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:5c834$4a5d1e48$c4db94d$(E-Mail Removed)...
> XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2 GHz).
>
> When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black
> screen with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a dead
> black screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack or
> something.
>
> The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5 minutes.
>
> Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
> started - always showing a clean slate.
>
> In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my extension
> hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up or not.
>
> --
> JimL
>
> WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?
>

Thanks. Good guess but no cigar.

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:uM%(E-Mail Removed)...
> User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en
>
> --
> JS
> http://www.pagestart.com
>
>
>
> "JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:5c834$4a5d1e48$c4db94d$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2 GHz).
>>
>> When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black
>> screen with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a dead
>> black screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack or
>> something.
>>
>> The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5 minutes.
>>
>> Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
>> started - always showing a clean slate.
>>
>> In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my extension
>> hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up or not.
>>
>> --
>> JimL
>>
>> WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?
>>
>
>



--
JimL

WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?

How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

See if a clean boot eliminates your shutdown issues
and post back your results.

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com



"JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:31717$4a5e5e29$c4db80c$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks. Good guess but no cigar.
>
> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:uM%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en
>>
>> --
>> JS
>> http://www.pagestart.com
>>
>>
>>
>> "JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:5c834$4a5d1e48$c4db94d$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2 GHz).
>>>
>>> When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black
>>> screen with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a dead
>>> black screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack or
>>> something.
>>>
>>> The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5 minutes.
>>>
>>> Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
>>> started - always showing a clean slate.
>>>
>>> In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my extension
>>> hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up or not.
>>>
>>> --
>>> JimL
>>>
>>> WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> JimL
>
> WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?
>

I'd never done one of those before. Used the guided one on auto. Neat.
Still got the 5 minute wait. Thanks.

> See if a clean boot eliminates your shutdown issues
> and post back your results.
>
> --
> JS
> http://www.pagestart.com
>
>
>
> "JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:31717$4a5e5e29$c4db80c$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Thanks. Good guess but no cigar.
>>
>> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:uM%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en
>>>
>>> --
>>> JS
>>> http://www.pagestart.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:5c834$4a5d1e48$c4db94d$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2 GHz).
>>>>
>>>> When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black
>>>> screen with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a dead
>>>> black screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack or
>>>> something.
>>>>
>>>> The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5
>>>> minutes.
>>>>
>>>> Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
>>>> started - always showing a clean slate.
>>>>
>>>> In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my
>>>> extension hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up
>>>> or not.
>>>>
>>>> --



--
JimL

WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?

Another thing I never used before. Found a long list of errors saying I
have a bad hard drive block. chkdsk thinks not.

I couldn't find anything useful. The event logger is switched off just
before the delay begins so it's like looking for a black cat in a dark room.

There were some interesting things happening that didn't make a lot of sense
to me. Like a CD burner that gets turned on by the system (why?) and
immediately it says it is off again. And I get quite a few Info's saying
ACW couldn't get on the internet. ... OK. ... ACW can stick it up its nose
as far as I'm concerned...

Thanks

"Singapore Computer Service" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote in message news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello,
>
> Look at the Event Viewer for some clues. Here's how
>
> Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer
>
> Look under Application and System for 'Error' and 'Warnings'. More
> information on Event Viewers here - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427
>
> Regards,
> Singapore Computer Home Repair Service
> http://www.bootstrike.com/ComputerService/
> Video Conversion VHS Video8 Hi8 Digital8 MiniDv MicroMv
> http://www.bootstrike.com/VHSVideoConvert/
> "JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:5c834$4a5d1e48$c4db94d$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2 GHz).
>>
>> When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black
>> screen with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a dead
>> black screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack or
>> something.
>>
>> The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5 minutes.
>>
>> Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
>> started - always showing a clean slate.
>>
>> In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my extension
>> hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up or not.
>>


--
JimL

WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?

"Singapore Computer Service" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote in message news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello,
>
> Look at the Event Viewer for some clues. Here's how
>
> Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer
>
> Look under Application and System for 'Error' and 'Warnings'. More
> information on Event Viewers here - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427


Ah, here's something:

Information - successfully sent start control to Gremlin Operations.
Information - Gremlin operations made successful start.
Information - Gremlin Operations now running.
Information - Gremlin Operations successfully sent start control to Evil
Demons.

etc.

--
JimL

WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?

Hello,

Bad hard drive block... Does your system seem to 'hang' at times with the
hard disk LED constantly flashing? If so, time to replace the hard disk.

To verify, first make a backup of your data first. Do it ASAP in the case
your hard disk
becomes forever undetectable.

Download and run your hard disk manufacturer's diagnostic utility. Common
brand diagnostics links are given below
Seagate - http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/
WD - http://support.wdc.com/download/

Alternatively, you can download and run HDtune -
http://www.hdtune.com/download.html - and scan your hard disk using it. But
using the manufacturer's utility is better as it performs additional tests.

The bad sectors could also be coming from an external drive, so you need to
verify this.

Regards,
Singapore Computer Home Repair Service
http://www.bootstrike.com/ComputerService/
Video Conversion VHS Video8 Hi8 Digital8 MiniDv MicroMv
http://www.bootstrike.com/VHSVideoConvert/
"JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:eb96c$4a5ebc65$c4db905$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Another thing I never used before. Found a long list of errors saying I
> have a bad hard drive block. chkdsk thinks not.
>
> I couldn't find anything useful. The event logger is switched off just
> before the delay begins so it's like looking for a black cat in a dark
> room.
>
> There were some interesting things happening that didn't make a lot of
> sense to me. Like a CD burner that gets turned on by the system (why?)
> and immediately it says it is off again. And I get quite a few Info's
> saying ACW couldn't get on the internet. ... OK. ... ACW can stick it up
> its nose as far as I'm concerned...
>
> Thanks
>
> "Singapore Computer Service" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote in message news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hello,
>>
>> Look at the Event Viewer for some clues. Here's how
>>
>> Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer
>>
>> Look under Application and System for 'Error' and 'Warnings'. More
>> information on Event Viewers here -
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427
>>
>> Regards,
>> Singapore Computer Home Repair Service
>> http://www.bootstrike.com/ComputerService/
>> Video Conversion VHS Video8 Hi8 Digital8 MiniDv MicroMv
>> http://www.bootstrike.com/VHSVideoConvert/
>> "JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:5c834$4a5d1e48$c4db94d$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2 GHz).
>>>
>>> When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black
>>> screen with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a dead
>>> black screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack or
>>> something.
>>>
>>> The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5 minutes.
>>>
>>> Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
>>> started - always showing a clean slate.
>>>
>>> In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my extension
>>> hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up or not.
>>>
>
>
> --
> JimL
>
> WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?
>

Two utilities to look at, although the "Bad Block" error
in your other post is not good news.

1) If you want to dig deeper:
Try Autoruns from the MS Windows SysInternals site:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

AutoRuns will show/list all apps/etc. that load/run when you first boot ...
(the 'Boot Execute' tab),
when you logon (the 'Logon' tab) and other programs that load
(grouped by labeled tabs) for easy viewing.

It also provides the ability to selectively allows you to stop
(use with care) any program that you don't want to load.
You can undo any changes you have made.

Note: To get additional details on an item in the list you can't
readily identify you may need to highlight the item (right click) and use
the 'Search Online' option to get the details,
especially useful for the more obscure items in the list.

2) Find and display a Process that could be the cause try Process Explorer:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx

Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:
In the taskbar select View and check:
'Show Process Tree' and the 'Show Lower Pane' options.
Move your mouse cursor over any column in the right hand pane and
right click and check the following boxes:
'Command Line' and 'Version'.
Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)
In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.
Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage
(Highest to Lowest).

Move the mouse cursor over any process,
you should see a popup with some detailed info.
Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.
Then click on that process to highlight it,
Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed select:
'Search Online'.
This should display what out there on the web about that process.
You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed
'Properties' window.
Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and Svchost
may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub processes),
in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

An alternate method when using Process Explorer
is to double click on the Graph just below the Menu bar.
This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger display
of all three graphs. Move your mouse over any spike in the
CPU Usage graph to see what process/application or service is the cause
of the spike.


--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com



"JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:9f495$4a5eb858$c4db905$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'd never done one of those before. Used the guided one on auto. Neat.
> Still got the 5 minute wait. Thanks.
>
>> See if a clean boot eliminates your shutdown issues
>> and post back your results.
>>
>> --
>> JS
>> http://www.pagestart.com
>>
>>
>>
>> "JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:31717$4a5e5e29$c4db80c$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Thanks. Good guess but no cigar.
>>>
>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message
>>> news:uM%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> JS
>>>> http://www.pagestart.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "JimL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:5c834$4a5d1e48$c4db94d$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> XP Pro, SP3 & every update in the book, IBM ThinkPad T42 (near 2
>>>>> GHz).
>>>>>
>>>>> When I shut down my machine, after the shutdown I get an almost black
>>>>> screen with a mouse cursor on it for several seconds, then I get a
>>>>> dead black screen, no more mouse cursor and it's time to hit the sack
>>>>> or something.
>>>>>
>>>>> The last few days that several seconds has turned into a full 5
>>>>> minutes.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any known cures? I've done several Deep Scans for malware since it
>>>>> started - always showing a clean slate.
>>>>>
>>>>> In the past I've had some shutdown problems associated with my
>>>>> extension hard drive (USB) but this happens whether I bring the ext up
>>>>> or not.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>
>
>
> --
> JimL
>
> WHAT??? is this "Gotta be online" obsession?
>