Windows shutdown

[Bode237]

When I try to shutdown or restart my Windows XP home edition, it clears all
of the icons and task bar, then freezes with just the background being
viewed. I have let it set for up to an hour and it doesn't go past that
point. I would appreciate any advise on this subject. I am for the most
part computer literate so I should be able to follow any simple to
semi-advanced instructions.

Thanks

 

[Malke]

When I try to shutdown or restart my Windows XP home edition, it clears
all of the icons and task bar, then freezes with just the background being
viewed. I have let it set for up to an hour and it doesn't go past that
point. I would appreciate any advise on this subject. I am for the most
part computer literate so I should be able to follow any simple to
semi-advanced instructions.

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. 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

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

When I try to shutdown or restart my Windows XP home edition, it clears all

of the icons and task bar, then freezes with just the background being
viewed. I have let it set for up to an hour and it doesn't go past that
point. I would appreciate any advise on this subject. I am for the most
part computer literate so I should be able to follow any simple to
semi-advanced instructions.

Thanks

Try the following:

Go to Start > Run and enter REGEDIT and press OK. This fires up the
registry editor.

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Edit the
following keys:

1) AutoEndTasks: Default is 0, make it 1

You can also try the following settings under the same branch:

2) ForegroundLockTimeout: Default is 20000, make it 0

3) HungAppTimeoutefault is 5000, try 1000, if it's still slow, try
500. I don't suggest going anything lower than 250 though as it could
really make programs / services that need a momentd or two to end
act...funny.

4) WaitToKillAppTimeout: Default is 20000, try 1000, if it's still
slow, try 500. I don't suggest going anything lower than 250 though as
it could really make programs / services that need a moment or two to
end act...funny.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control

1) WaitToKillServiceTimeout: Default is 20000, try 2000. I don't use
this setting personally and it's questionable whether XP supports it
or not.

When you finish, reboot. Log into XP and then do a shutdown and see
how long it take.

If some of the keys above don't exists, just create them using the
right mouse button.

#1 is a String Value
#2 is DWORD value
#3 is a String value
#4 is a String value

Good luck.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[jdp7]

I am sure your computer is working fine by now, but have you completed all
the simple processes like Turing off the computer using the Tower button,
Disk Cleanup, Cleanup all old System Restore Points, Disk Defrag, Check the
Volume for errors, Scan for and attempt recovery of Bad Sectors, Have you
Increased your Virtual Memory to at least 2.5 times the amount of Ram your
computer has installed inside, Have you tried changing you Virtual Menory to
"zero" and complete a Disk Defrag, but remember to Reboot you computer prior
to changing the Virtual Memeroy back to 2.5 times the amount of actual Ram. I
am sure you have tried all mentioned. There may be a few other simple things
to try, but at the least try the above and see what happens. Believe it or
not, but I have uninstalled a few Microsoft updates before and reinstalled
them and it fixed a problem. Don't forget to do the Custom updates not
"express".

Thanks,
jdp7