Windows XP Pro shut down problem?

Question

Hi
I have just upgraded from Windows ME to XP Pro. I've had quite a few conflict problems but have managed to resolve them. I still have one major problem and that is my computer will not shut down on exit. When I go to shut down, it saves my settings, but then the blue screen turns black and white and then freezes.
The only way to shut off is by switching at the mains...not good for my computer I would have thought!
Would be great if anybody has any ideas to resolve this.
Thanks
Mark

Answer 1

Visit the link below for

Resources to help troubleshoot shutdown problems in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308029

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.php

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=26481&rl=1

Answer 2

There are sometimes problems when upgrading from 98 or ME to XP. Best thing to do is save all the important info either on DVD or a second HDD. If you don't have a second HDD but your primary is partitioned save the data to you D: drive, then you can format C: drive and do a clean install of XP Pro. Even though it is an upgrade disc it still has all the same data as a the full price XP Pro disc.
Create a floppy boot disk, so you can boot into DOS and format C: that way. If not you can use the XP disc, and follow the onscreen prompts. My advice is format using NTFS, it will give you better stability and data storage. Then install SP2 if it isn't already on the XP disc, and get the auto updates done.

The screen going black and white sounds like a driver problem for the graphics card. A clean install with all your usual driver discs for your computer (graphics driver, Motherboard driver Etc) should resolve the issue.

Answer 3

You really should have gone with a clean xp install instead of upgrading! Not sure exactly what the software problem is, but most systems less than 6 years old will force to power down state by holding down the power button. Avoids yanking the power cord at least.

Answer 4

Try this:

1: Click - Start - Control Panel - Performance and Maintenance - Power Options Tab

2: Then click APM - Enable Advanced Power Management Support

According to the site below, many ppl are experiencing this problem after upgrading from ME, 95 and 2000 versions.

Answer 5

Get a Mac- there's a reason they cost more.
Otherwise:
Run virus check
Run disc cleanup
Run ad-aware or other similar program.
Delete all the programs you don't use.
Defrag it about 10 times in a row (compresses the files ever smaller)
Get Speed Disc and optimize it with that.
Get Norton Win Doctor and run it weekly.
Make a copy of your registry and write a .bat file to auto-copy it every month or so - or skip it if you donno how.
OR, just get a Mac and you won't have to do any of this stuff, very little maintainance, and you'll never have another virus since there are almost none written "for" Macs.
:D

Answer 6

Try installing Service Pack 2 and doing Windows Updates, it could be a driver issue.

Answer 7

Take a look in administrative tools> Event log. This really should always be your first port of call resolving most issues in xp etc.

Answer 8

I'm having a similar thing with Vista on my laptop ! Sometimes when I shut down - it says Adobe reader is still running )even though it is NOT !) - and refuses to shut down until I click the close Adobe box !

Answer 9

some boards are not compatable with xp sounds like yours is one of these
you do need to do a fresh install
this might solve your problem
but back up all you data /photos any stuff you want to keep

Answer 10

If you are upgraded Win Me to Win XP without formating your HDD I suggest you to do it first, and then install Win XP.