Help! Windows XP won't Shutdown

A

Abimantrana

Hi everyone..

I just bought a new system last week and got windows xp home sp2 installed
on it. At first, everything seems to be ok.. then, a few days later, after
hours of usage, i found my system refuses to shutdown.. it doesn't stall,i
can still do things normally.. but it won't shutdown, restart, or logoff at
all.. when i pressed ctrl+alt+del combination, the task manager window didn"t
pop-up.. after typing "task manager" in help and support window, i found a
way to bring up the task manager window.. in the processes tab, it shows that
"winlogon.exe" are using more than 50% of the cpu resource.. could this be
the problem? or is it something else? it doesn't happen all the time, but
this is the third time i experience this problem.. can somebody help me with
these?

thanx before,
kind regards..
Abi.
 
F

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM

Abimantrana said:
Hi everyone..

I just bought a new system last week and got windows xp home sp2 installed
on it. At first, everything seems to be ok.. then, a few days later, after
hours of usage, i found my system refuses to shutdown.. it doesn't stall,i
can still do things normally.. but it won't shutdown, restart, or logoff
at
all.. when i pressed ctrl+alt+del combination, the task manager window
didn"t
pop-up.. after typing "task manager" in help and support window, i found a
way to bring up the task manager window.. in the processes tab, it shows
that
"winlogon.exe" are using more than 50% of the cpu resource.. could this be
the problem? or is it something else? it doesn't happen all the time, but
this is the third time i experience this problem.. can somebody help me
with
these?

thanx before,
kind regards..
Abi.

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.
 
M

Malke

Abimantrana said:
Hi everyone..

I just bought a new system last week and got windows xp home sp2 installed
on it. At first, everything seems to be ok.. then, a few days later, after
hours of usage, i found my system refuses to shutdown.. it doesn't stall,i
can still do things normally.. but it won't shutdown, restart, or logoff at
all.. when i pressed ctrl+alt+del combination, the task manager window didn"t
pop-up.. after typing "task manager" in help and support window, i found a
way to bring up the task manager window.. in the processes tab, it shows that
"winlogon.exe" are using more than 50% of the cpu resource.. could this be
the problem? or is it something else? it doesn't happen all the time, but
this is the third time i experience this problem.. can somebody help me with
these?

Shutdown issues are generally caused by a program and/or process that is
refusing to exit gracefully. The program and/or process can be from
malware or can be legitimate (such as an invasive antivirus like Norton
or McAfee). If you are using a Norton or McAfee product, uninstall it
and replace with a better program such as NOD32, Kasperksy, or Avast
(free). The Windows Firewall is adequate for most people. With Vista,
shutdown issues can also be caused by old/poorly written drivers so make
sure all drivers are updated. See Step B. below for general driver
directions.

A.The first step is always to make sure your computer is virus/malware free.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

B. Drivers - The First Law of Driver Updates is "if it ain't broke,
don't fix it". Normally if everything is working you want to leave
things as they are. The exception is that heavy-duty gamers will usually
want to update their video and sound drivers to squeeze every last bit
of performance out of the hardware to get the fastest frame rates. If
you're not one of those people, you don't need to update your drivers if
there are no problems you are trying to solve.

Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM
computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific
model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers
anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor or System Information for Windows.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows

C. If the computer is virus/malware-free, drivers are current, and no
Norton or McAfee programs are installed, then do clean-boot
troubleshooting to see which program/process is the culprit:

How to perform a clean boot in Vista and XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796

D. If you need more information, here is an excellent shutdown
troubleshooter:

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

Standard caveat: If troubleshooting the issue is too difficult - and
there is absolutely no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea -
take the machine to a computer repair shop. This will not be your local
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place. Get recommendations from
family, friends, colleagues.


Malke
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top