"DDE Server Window" error on shutdown

[PeteB]

I have two Dell Dimension desktop PCs running Windows XP
Pro SP1. I see this same problem on both PCs, occasionally.

After clicking shutdown, an error message will come up
with the title "DDE Server Window" saying the process
cannot be closed. It has a timer saying it will continue
and a button to click to close it now. If I click the
button, the task closes and shutdown proceeds normally. If
I wait, Windows cannot close the task and shutdown stalls.

As I mentioned, this happens only some of the time. I
haven't seen any pattern to suggest when it will happen.

Any suggestions on how to make this go away entirely?

Many thanks.

 

[Kelly]

Hi Pete,

Start here and good luck!

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...earch&meta=group=microsoft.public.windowsxp.*

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=DDE+Server+Window&btnG=Google+Search

 

[Bert]

Hi Pete
I had this problem earlier this year. It intermittently occurred and was
annoying. After much investigation I found that it was due to Norton
Password Manager 2004 (NPM), loading at start up. This is a component of
Norton System Works Professional 2004. How I found this out was to
selectively test each of the start up items in the start up group shown in
msconfig. On not loading NPM at start up, the problem went away. Hope
that this helps! Please address any replies to the news group. My email
address is false. Bert Smith