cannot log off or shut down computer

[Jim Manuel]

does anyone know why i cannot log off or shut down my
computer using the corresponding icons. i can log off
using ctrl/alt/delete and to shut down i need to shut off
power supply. my computer is a dell and they cannot shed
any light on the situation other than saying i set up
user accounts wrong. advised to contact microsoft but
they just tell me to contact dell because window xp was
installed by dell. i am no computer expert but if anyone
can shed light on this problem i would appreciate it.
thanks

 

[Ken Goodman]

Jin,

I've had a similar problem, which I described in the
following post on the General Newsgroup:

"If I'm working inside a user profile and want to shut
down, the computer just puts up the hourglass for a
second or less and then does nothing. The same thing
happens if I try to log off the user profile. BUT, I can
switch users without any problem. The computer will also
shut-down from the welcome screen (i.e., where the users
are listed).

"The work-around I've found is to go into Task Manager,
close directx.exe, and then it will shut down or switch
users normally.

"I've upgraded to Directx 9b (after this problem
started), so that's not the answer.

"Any suggestions on how to cure this annoying glitch?"

I didn't get any responses. BUT, in looking around the
newsgroups, it seems that this is a somewhat common
problem. I wrote directly to one Microsoft techie who's
answered questions in the Newsgroup, but he said he
couldn't really do anything to help. I wrote back and
said that since mine was not an isolated problem, I'd
hope he'd bring this to the attention of the appropriate
Microsoft people so they can figure out the problem.

Anyway, this hopefully will give you a workaround for
your problem. If it doesn't work, try shutting down
other programs one at a time.

Ken

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Have you tried shutting down one program at a time as you suggest? If yes,
is it always the same application close that gets shutdown to work? If yes,
that's the likely culprit, check for updates or updated versions of that
application, check to be sure it is compatible with XP and check to make
sure it is compatible with fast user switching. Many applications that are
compatible with XP are NOT compatible with fast user switching.