Windows XP won't shutdown first time, but on the second time.

[Guest]

I have German version of Windows XP which isn't much different at all than
the US Version. Anyway, I have no anti-virus software installed but when I
shut down windows normally through Start Menu -> Shutdown... it won't shut
down. Nothing happens at this point. In order for shutdown to occur I must
shut down a second time. Then everything works. Please help asap.

 

[GHalleck]

I have German version of Windows XP which isn't much different at all than
the US Version. Anyway, I have no anti-virus software installed but when I
shut down windows normally through Start Menu -> Shutdown... it won't shut
down. Nothing happens at this point. In order for shutdown to occur I must
shut down a second time. Then everything works. Please help asap.

How much time is being allowed for Windows XP on this computer to shut
down? Remember, Windows needs to shut down in a orderly fashion and
this means closing all applications and services, plus disconnecting
from the network, writing and updating the Registry, etc. All of these
take time, especially if the computer has mapped drives to a network
server or is a part of shared resources over the network. Depending on
configuration and utilization, shut down could range anywhere from 1
minute to 5 minutes or more.

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I have German version of Windows XP which isn't much different at all
than the US Version. Anyway, I have no anti-virus software installed

You should do this prior to posting in order to avoid wasting time due
to the unknown malware status of your machine.

but when I shut down windows normally through Start Menu -> Shutdown...
it won't shut down. Nothing happens at this point. In order for
shutdown to occur I must shut down a second time. Then everything
works.

A fresh Windows install does not have that problem, usually. Therefore,
undo the unknown system changes (eg. installation) that you've made
prior to the first encounter of this problem. You may also want to read

"Resources to help troubleshoot shutdown problems in Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308029

"Windows XP Shutdown & Restart Troubleshooting"
http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

 

[Newbie Coder]

Jim,

Another user has the same problem yesterday or the day before & it was due
to Skype stopping it. She downgraded the version of Skype & it fixed the
problem

What software has been installed since this has started to happen?

Do you have any applications running? I am not talking services

Does it get as far as clearing the System Tray fully?

Answering these types of questions will probably be the solution to your
question

 

[Guest]

Hi again,

Thank you for helping me out. I am actually going off of someone else's
computer. As far as the shutdown sequence. Nothing is happening at all on
the first time. You could walk away after clicking Shutdown or Restart or
Log Off and nothing will happen, WIndows will Idle. Nothing closes down and
you can actually open up programs. It's almost as if Windows doesn't catch
that first click, or like it's set up in such a way that it takes 2 shutdowns
to shut down. It's very odd. I can't say when it started so we can't just
go back to an earlier date. Windows and all components and device drivers
work fine and I've been through the Windows Shutdown/Restart Troubleshooter
but there's nothing in there to help me with this problem. Could it be a
virus/trojan/worm? I just don't think it would be because those usually are
designed to corrupt files and rearrange data and add data. Why would someone
program a virus to stop Windows from closing only 1 time initially?

Anyway, if you can't help me out I still appreciate your assistance and
time. Gosh I don't want this person to do a clean format (they are not good
with computers).

 

[Guest]

Hi D-D:

Thanks for your assistance, I left a more technical response above. I tried
the knowledge base looking for the problem and I also tried the Shutdown
troubleshooter for Windows. Nothing could help me out so far. Anyway, I
don't know when this problem started but I do know there hasn't been any
major device installations that could do this. No downloaded software or
installed peripherals. Oh well. I still appreciate your time and help
regarding this problem. If only the OS was put on a circuit chip just like
where BIOS is on a motherboard than there wouldn't be any problems at all (I
posted this suggestion just minutes ago). Well, anyway, thank you again.

 

[Guest]

How much time is being allowed for Windows XP on this computer to shut
down? Remember, Windows needs to shut down in a orderly fashion and
this means closing all applications and services, plus disconnecting
from the network, writing and updating the Registry, etc. All of these
take time, especially if the computer has mapped drives to a network
server or is a part of shared resources over the network. Depending on
configuration and utilization, shut down could range anywhere from 1
minute to 5 minutes or more.

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

Hi D-D:

Thanks for your assistance, I left a more technical response above. I
tried the knowledge base looking for the problem and I also tried the
Shutdown troubleshooter for Windows. Nothing could help me out so far.
Anyway, I don't know when this problem started but I do know there
hasn't been any major device installations that could do this. No
downloaded software or installed peripherals. Oh well.

Since nothing comes out of the blue, you may want to perform a thorough
malware scan.