Windows XP Shut Down Queries

[Guest]

Some months ago, whilst running Windows XP, the PC started to require the
need to follow the shutdown or restrart proceedure twice before the computer
will turn off. No error messages are displayed, the pc does not lock itself
up or freeze, it just seems to ignore the first request to restart or shut it
down.

In addition which version of the XP is running as my father's computer has
done the same. I am using XP Home, and he is using XP Pro. In addtion the
problem has not been resolved when we installed SP2 on my fathers machine.

Any ideas ?

 

[Guest]

Some programs have shutdown control e.g. MS Outlook. This means that they
don't allow the computer to shut down whilst the program is running (probably
to stop problems occuring). I'd imagine you have a program running (maybee
even in the background) which has shutdown control but makes sure that it
shuts itself down before the computer shuts down. When you press shutdown the
first time, the program halts shutdown and shuts itself down. When you press
it the second time, the program has shutown so the computer shuts down. If I
were you, I'd open task manager just before the computer shuts down
(ctrl+alt+del) and watch to see what programs shut down after the first
shutdown request. If you don't need them, delete them.

 

[Taurarian Fire]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q308029
Resources to Help Troubleshoot Shutdown Problems in Windows XP

Windows XP Shut Down Issues
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_restart.htm
Troubleshooters for Windows XP Shut Down
http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm
Troubleshooting Windows XP Shutdown Issues
http://www.theeldergeek.com/shutdown_issues_in_xp.htm

 

[Rock]

Some months ago, whilst running Windows XP, the PC started to require the
need to follow the shutdown or restrart proceedure twice before the computer
will turn off. No error messages are displayed, the pc does not lock itself
up or freeze, it just seems to ignore the first request to restart or shut it
down.

In addition which version of the XP is running as my father's computer has
done the same. I am using XP Home, and he is using XP Pro. In addtion the
problem has not been resolved when we installed SP2 on my fathers machine.

Any ideas ?

This generally means some program is running when the shutdown is
invoked. XP ends the program but you have to give the shutdown command
again. Try this shutdown troubleshooter and some clean boot
troubleshooting:

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

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

Not that upgrading the OS will generally not fix a problem and often
times makes it worse, unless the upgrade is specifically designed to
address that problem.