Shutdown Problems Hangs at Blue Screen

[Edward]

I am using Windows XP Pro on a Dell Desktop computer. It
has been performing just fine for over three months.
Suddenly, this past week every time I try to either
reboot or shut down the computer goes through the
shutdown procedure but it "hangs" at the blue screen.
There are no error messages. The hard drive just stops,
the screen turns blue and the mouse cursor stays visable
and moveable on the screen. I ultimately have to power
down and then restart (which works fine). I know this
isn't good for the computer.

I am at a loss for what has happened. Is it perhaps tied
to the blaster patch that we all downloaded. Any help
would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
E. Shelton

 

[Jim Eshelman]

Edward, see if anything on this Win XP shutdown troubleshooter helps:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm