Why does my PC fail to close down?

Question

When shutting down my PC saves settings, then says shutting down but does not do so. This has happened for some time, probably since downloading a Windows Update. Switching off at the mains works and there is no need for scandisc on restart.
I run on Windows XP.

Answer 1

Perform these steps to help shutdown Windows XP faster; if you are uneasy about making changes to the registry, then stick to step 4.

1.Automatically kill tasks on shutdown.
Windows XP by default will ask you if you wish to end a process if an application is running during the shutdown process. This little registry change will tell Windows to automatically end the process without your confirmation.
Go to the Start menu and then select Run. In the Run box type in ‘regedit’ and click on OK. Navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop' and double click on the 'AutoEndTasks'. Change the value to 1 and click on OK.

2. Reduce the wait time to kill open applications.

When you choose to shutdown your computer, Windows will automatically wait a little bit before it kills applications that are open.
Go to the Start menu and then select Run. In the Run box type in ‘regedit’ and click on OK. Navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop' and double click on the 'WaitToKillAppTimeout'. Change the value to 1000 and click on OK. Double click on 'HungAppTimeout' and change the value to 1000 then click on OK. Navigate to 'HKEY_USERS\DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop' and double click on the 'WaitToKillAppTimeout'. Change the value to 1000 and click on OK. Double click on 'HungAppTimeout' and change the value to 1000 then click on OK

3. Reduce the wait time for services to be shutdown.

Much like applications, Windows XP waits a bit for the services to shutdown before it starts killing them. Here is how to reduce the wait time.

Go to the Start menu and then select Run. In the Run box type in ‘regedit’ and click on OK. Navigate to 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\
CurrentControlSetControl'. Double click on 'WaitToKillServiceTimeout' and change the value to 1000 then click on OK
Remember that altering the registry can be risky so always create a restore point first!

4. Finally, you can try this:
Go to Start>All Programs>Admin tools>Event Viewer
Click on the application error logs and if you find event ID 1000 or 1517 or 1524, then you could benefit from the User Profile Hive Cleanup tool
This resolves problems with unloading your user profile at shutdown. This can happen when third party, or even Microsoft applications have not properly cleaned up when exiting. Windows will keep trying to unload the profile until Windows finally decides that it can't shutdown. Even if you find the application causing the problem - it may be impossible to do anything about it. This free utility automatically cleans up user profiles and prevents you from playing the timeout wait game.

You can download it free here
- http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/User_Profile_Hive_Cleanup_Service/uphcservice.html

Answer 2

Some times software can cause this, did you install a program, and then this happened?
It's not usually caused by Windows updates!
If you did, try restoring to an earlier date, this can sometimes fix the problem

Answer 3

I had this and it was some sort of spyware on my PC. Do a whole system scan, defragmetation, disk clean up, delete temp internet files etc then scan for any spyware and see if that helps.

Answer 4

go to control panel. if ur control panel page is in category view, change to classic view. click power options

Answer 5

replace the fan, maximum fan are carry in place with 4 screws. Take your fan to workstation aspects shop, the place they're going to experience up the fan to comparable length. Write down your make and variety and take this suggestions additionally with fan. look on the fan plug on the motherboard is it tight. Is it complicated to coach fan blade? replace.

Answer 6

I also had this and it was because i had limewire,but i got rid of limewire and done a full system scan and now it is fine.