Share via

Windows XP won't shut down

Anonymous
2010-03-12T15:16:22+00:00

Help! The past two nights, when I've gone to shut down my laptop (an '03 HP), I push the shut down button, only to watch the laptop not shut down. It just sits. I can move the mouse, so there isn't a freeze. But if I try to select any options (i.e. reopen a web browser to find help on Microsoft.com), it tells me I can't because it's shut down. I wind up pushing the "reset" button and it immediately turns the laptop off.

We've made no new software upgrades or changes that I'm aware of in the past couple of days, save for the install of a photo viewing tool that accompanied CDs of photos we had made recently at a retailer. Am I experiencing a hardware malfunction that needs repair, or is this a software problem? Or, is it a sign that my machine needs significant clean up? Thanks!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2013-08-13T16:30:18+00:00

    I had this issue with a fresh install of XP Professional w/ SP3, along with software for a network interface card (NIC). For some then-unknown reason, the computer would keep rebooting every time I shut it down. As it turns out, in the BIOS on these older Gateway machines, you can set a flag for the computer to turn on in response to a signal through the NIC from the network. Under Control Panel/System/Device Manager/Network Adaptors you can also define what kind of signal (Magic Packet or Directed Packet) from the network will cause this to happen. Most of my experience had been with stand-alone machines and this was all a surprise to me. I disabled the flag in the BIOS and also set the Network Adaptor to "OS Control". Either one of these probably would have done the trick, but I was in a hurry and didn't care to experiment further. The problem stopped  and I was able to shut the machine down.

    80+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

12 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-11-17T11:07:36+00:00

    Help! The past two nights, when I've gone to shut down my laptop (an '03 HP), I push the shut down button, only to watch the laptop not shut down. It just sits. I can move the mouse, so there isn't a freeze. But if I try to select any options (i.e. reopen a web browser to find help on Microsoft.com), it tells me I can't because it's shut down. I wind up pushing the "reset" button and it immediately turns the laptop off.

    We've made no new software upgrades or changes that I'm aware of in the past couple of days, save for the install of a photo viewing tool that accompanied CDs of photos we had made recently at a retailer. Am I experiencing a hardware malfunction that needs repair, or is this a software problem? Or, is it a sign that my machine needs significant clean up? Thanks!

    On Monday 11/17 WIN 10 had a long update must have been a lot of files etc.    Since then I have no problem with shut down -  at least it has been working fine so far.  Maybe the problem was found by MS and fixed with some of the updates.   Guess time will tell     Suggest you do updates then see if you still have the problem     Good Luck

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-07-26T16:42:56+00:00

    Try this and see if it works for you.

    1)create a shortcut (on the desktop) rightclick/new/shortcut.

    2)Paste this in the box. %windir%\system32\shutdown.exe -s -t 0 and click next**.**

    3)It should already show shutdown for the name. Click finish and you should see it on the desktop. See it that shuts your PC all the way off.

    "There are only 10 types of people in the world. Those that understand binary, and those that don't." [_1337_Pete_]

    MrPeter,

    That works great but how do I fix the normal shutdown sequence to do the same?  is there a place that I can go to put in your command line?

    Thanks,

    BZman

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-08-07T18:16:35+00:00

    Malkeleah is correct if that does not work reinstall Windows

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-03-13T13:27:05+00:00

    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, particularly on Windows Vista and Windows 7.

    A.The first step is always to make sure your computer is virus/malware free.

    http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

    B. 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

    How to perform a clean boot in Windows Vista or Windows 7 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    C. 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.

    MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

    0 comments