Strange "End Program" Messages during shutdown.

[Guest]

I'm using Windowx XP Pro (32bit) SP2 with the latest updates.
When shutting down XP I receive strange error message such as this: "End
Program 940".

The error message is never exactly the same, except for the fact that it
does not show an application's name or file (such as explorer.exe). Instead
it only displays random characters never exeeding 3 characters in total (for
example: 700, 394, ee0) nor does it show any .exe or.dll file extensions.

When opening the Windows Task Manager I can't find any apllication or
process that the error message refers to.

This situtation only occurs during shutdown , not during restart.

I've repeatetly scanned my PC for viruses (using PC-cillin Internet Security
2006) and never came up with any virus or spyware.

What could the problem and and its resolution be?

Thanks in advance,

meikel14

 

[Rock]

I'm using Windowx XP Pro (32bit) SP2 with the latest updates.
When shutting down XP I receive strange error message such as this: "End
Program 940".

The error message is never exactly the same, except for the fact that it
does not show an application's name or file (such as explorer.exe).
Instead
it only displays random characters never exeeding 3 characters in total
(for
example: 700, 394, ee0) nor does it show any .exe or.dll file extensions.

When opening the Windows Task Manager I can't find any apllication or
process that the error message refers to.

This situtation only occurs during shutdown , not during restart.

I've repeatetly scanned my PC for viruses (using PC-cillin Internet
Security
2006) and never came up with any virus or spyware.

What could the problem and and its resolution be?

Firstly you need more than a single security suite - in your case
PC-cilliin's - to combat malware. Even the best non viral anti-malware
programs don't catch it all. See these links for how check for a malware
infection and prevent it.

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper’s Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

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

After you have made sure the the system is clean then look for other causes.
What happens if you boot into safe mode - does the error still occur? If
not, what happens when you reboot, login to windows normally, then
immediately logout without running any programs? Does this error still
occur? If yes do some clean boot troubleshooting.

Clean Boot Troubleshooting

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=316434

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310353