Problem shutting down the machine

[backpacker]

On several occasions now (5+), my machine refuses to shut down.

1. The problem is not reproducible at will. It happens occasionally
but not every time (say once every three times the machine has been
switched on)

2. The machine does not seem to be spinning on disk

3. cntl-alt-del does not help. It does *not* bring up the task manager
- but the icon for it does appear on the right hand bottom section of
the screen

4. I cannot start other apps.. However, I can reattempt to switch off
the computer. After a long wait, sometimes an end task screen appears
- for explorer.exe (not that I ran the app, but I guess it is probably
there in the start up menu), task manager, connections tray. Inspite
of ending these programs, the machine waits there with a blank
screen.

5. I have waited over 15 minutes but the machine does not shut down.
No messages (such as installing updates or anything else) appear on
the screen.

Suggestions on how to identify the problem as well as to fix it will
be appreciated.

Cheers,
Vikram

 

[Leonard Grey]

I would show the computer to a professional. You may have a failing
power supply, which a professional can easily test.

You can also look at Event Viewer, to see if any problems were recorded.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

"A Day in the Life of a Web 2.0 Hacker" - PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330952,00.asp

 

[backpacker]

What you suggest is a possibility. Though should there not be problems
at start up too. I've never encountered any problems at start up so
far. There have been times when I've felt a faint burning smell from
the computer - which might support the "bad power supply" idea.

Are there any other ways to check/confirm this ?

The event log does not provide me any indication of a problem. The
only error messages I see correspond to a missing Winfax driver.

Cheers,
Vikram

 

[Leonard Grey]

Please don't wait any longer...bring your computer to a professional and
have that person check the power supply. Replacing a power supply is
relatively inexpensive.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

"A Day in the Life of a Web 2.0 Hacker" - PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330952,00.asp

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Please don't wait any longer...bring your computer to a professional and
have that person check the power supply. Replacing a power supply is
relatively inexpensive.

Even if the professional's replacing it is relatively inexpensive, any
time you have to use a professional's service, it's relatively
expensive. Since it's so easy to do it yourself, it's probably
considerably cheaper to just buy a power supply and replace it
yourself. Even if that doesn't solve the problem, it's likely less
expensive that paying a professional to tell you that it doesn't need
replacing.

 

[Leonard Grey]

No doubt Ken is right. If you feel confident enough to work inside your
computer, a power supply by itself is quite inexpensive.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

"A Day in the Life of a Web 2.0 Hacker" - PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330952,00.asp

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

No doubt Ken is right. If you feel confident enough to work inside your
computer, a power supply by itself is quite inexpensive.

Thanks, Leonard. I'll just add one other point. I have no pretences at
being a hardware expert, and if it's at all difficult I stay out of
the box and feel more comfortable paying a professional to do it.

But changing a power supply is an easy thing to do, and even I have
done it completely by myself in the past.