XP won't shut down cleanly

[Robert S]

Our XP (Pro) machine frequently hangs when shutting down or rebooting.
After the shutting down dialogs ("closing network connections", "saving user
data" etc, the screen goes blue and nothing happens.\

Its a big problem because we often access it remotely.

Could somebody give me some pointers as to how to fix this?

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

Re: XP won't shut down cleanly

>Our XP (Pro) machine frequently hangs when shutting down or rebooting.
>After the shutting down dialogs ("closing network connections", "saving user
>data" etc, the screen goes blue and nothing happens.\
>
>Its a big problem because we often access it remotely.
>
>Could somebody give me some pointers as to how to fix this?

Try the following:

Go to Start > Run and enter REGEDIT and press OK. This fires up the
registry editor.

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Edit the
following keys:

1) AutoEndTasks: Default is 0, make it 1

You can also try the following settings under the same branch:

2) ForegroundLockTimeout: Default is 20000, make it 0

3) HungAppTimeoutefault is 5000, try 1000, if it's still slow, try
500. I don't suggest going anything lower than 250 though as it could
really make programs / services that need a momentd or two to end
act...funny.

4) WaitToKillAppTimeout: Default is 20000, try 1000, if it's still
slow, try 500. I don't suggest going anything lower than 250 though as
it could really make programs / services that need a moment or two to
end act...funny.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control

1) WaitToKillServiceTimeout: Default is 20000, try 2000. I don't use
this setting personally and it's questionable whether XP supports it
or not.

When you finish, reboot. Log into XP and then do a shutdown and see
how long it take.

If some of the keys above don't exists, just create them using the
right mouse button.

#1 is a String Value
#2 is DWORD value
#3 is a String value
#4 is a String value

Good luck.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[Malke]

Re: XP won't shut down cleanly

Robert S wrote:

> Our XP (Pro) machine frequently hangs when shutting down or rebooting.
> After the shutting down dialogs ("closing network connections", "saving
> user data" etc, the screen goes blue and nothing happens.\
>
> Its a big problem because we often access it remotely.

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. With Vista, shutdown issues can also
be caused by old/poorly written drivers so make sure all drivers are
updated. See Step B. below for general driver directions.

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

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

B. Drivers - The First Law of Driver Updates is "if it ain't broke, don't
fix it". Normally if everything is working you want to leave things as they
are. The exception is that heavy-duty gamers will usually want to update
their video and sound drivers to squeeze every last bit of performance out
of the hardware to get the fastest frame rates. If you're not one of those
people, you don't need to update your drivers if there are no problems you
are trying to solve.

Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer
(HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific model
machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor or System Information for Windows.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows

C. 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

D. 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.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

 

[Ray Parrish]

Re: XP won't shut down cleanly

When the screen goes blue there should be an error message on the blue
screen. goggle the error message and see if that helps.

Later, Ray Parrish

Robert S wrote:
> Our XP (Pro) machine frequently hangs when shutting down or rebooting.
> After the shutting down dialogs ("closing network connections", "saving user
> data" etc, the screen goes blue and nothing happens.\
>
> Its a big problem because we often access it remotely.
>
> Could somebody give me some pointers as to how to fix this?
>
>

--
http://www.rayslinks.com/ Web index of human reviewed links.
<http://www.rayslinks.com/Troubleshooting%20and%20fixing%20Windows.html>
Trouble shooting and Fixing Windows
http://www.writingsoftheschizophrenic.com My poetry in web pages

 

[Robert S]

Re: XP won't shut down cleanly

The blue is the blue colour of the background of the login screen (actually
I have replaced it with red and it goes red but I thought that would confuse
everybody). Its not the famed BSOD. There is no text.

"Ray Parrish" <crp@cmc.net> wrote in message
news:%23AY0oTfOJHA.1012@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> When the screen goes blue there should be an error message on the blue
> screen. goggle the error message and see if that helps.
>
> Later, Ray Parrish
>
> Robert S wrote:
>> Our XP (Pro) machine frequently hangs when shutting down or rebooting.
>> After the shutting down dialogs ("closing network connections", "saving
>> user data" etc, the screen goes blue and nothing happens.\
>>
>> Its a big problem because we often access it remotely.
>>
>> Could somebody give me some pointers as to how to fix this?
>
> --
> http://www.rayslinks.com/ Web index of human reviewed links.
> <http://www.rayslinks.com/Troubleshooting%20and%20fixing%20Windows.html>
> Trouble shooting and Fixing Windows
> http://www.writingsoftheschizophrenic.com My poetry in web pages

 

[beamish]

RE: XP won't shut down cleanly



"Robert S" wrote:

> Our XP (Pro) machine frequently hangs when shutting down or rebooting.
> After the shutting down dialogs ("closing network connections", "saving user
> data" etc, the screen goes blue and nothing happens.\
>
> Its a big problem because we often access it remotely.
>
> Could somebody give me some pointers as to how to fix this?
>
>
>
Hello,
This link may be of some help.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/837115

take care.
beamish.