Computer sometimes won't shut down

MimiJane · 28 January 2005 at 4:25PM

Just recently I've found that my computer sometimes won't shut down properly. When I go into the Start menu and click on shut down, it goes through the motions but stops when the screen goes black (curser flashes top left corner) and I have to switch it off. I've checked for viruses/spyware, etc., but nothing shows up when scanning with Norton, Adaware and Spybot.

I've also had a "fatal exception" recently and a message showing an illegal operation has taken place, but apart from this, everything seems to be working quickly and efficiently.

Just worried it may be my hard disc about to pack up? (4 - 5 years old).

Anyone any ideas please? Thanks.

robnye · 28 January 2005 at 4:29PM

MimiJane wrote:

Just recently I've found that my computer sometimes won't shut down properly. When I go into the Start menu and click on shut down, it goes through the motions but stops when the screen goes black (curser flashes top left corner) and I have to switch it off. I've checked for viruses/spyware, etc., but nothing shows up when scanning with Norton, Adaware and Spybot.

I've also had a "fatal exception" recently and a message showing an illegal operation has taken place, but apart from this, everything seems to be working quickly and efficiently.

Just worried it may be my hard disc about to pack up? (4 - 5 years old).

Anyone any ideas please? Thanks.

what version of windows are you running?

do you have antivirus installed? if so. update and run a full virus scan
do you spybot/adaware installed? if os update and run full checks

if you still have errors, try scandisk

MimiJane · 28 January 2005 at 7:28PM

Thanks for the reply. As mentioned, I've run Norton anti-virus, etc., but it's still happening. I've also run Scandisk.

I have Windows '98 (2nd edition).

bobobrussel · 28 January 2005 at 8:57PM

Check ou this site, it may help http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.php

Rex_Mundi · 28 January 2005 at 9:16PM

There is a known issue with this problem and W98SE. Go to windows update and look under the W98 patches, not the critical update section. There is a patch to fix this problem. No guarantees it will work though.

I run W98SE on one of my home computers, in fact this is the machine I use the most. I've been having this problem on and off for at least the last 18 months. Sometimes it will go a month shutting down OK. Then for no apparent reason it will go a month where it is 50/50 on whether it will shut down or not. Exactly the same happens to my machine, black screen/cursor flashing. I just turn the computer off at the back when this happens. This doesn't affect the computer in the slightest and is only a small hassle remembering to use the switch at the back. Sometimes if I leave it, it will shut down properly on its own after more than an hour.

I can tell you with no doubts whatsoever. This is not anything to worry about. It only happens every now and then, and in the last 18 months has not affected any program on the computer, in fact this computer is faster than most of the more modern ones I've used recently. I've tried all sorts to solve it without success, and frankly now I just accept that my computer is female and will not listen to me on this matter.

blinky · 28 January 2005 at 10:09PM

There are 4 different shutdown fixes for Windows 98(SE). Sometimes they work, sometimes they down.

It tends to be due to an application not terminating properly.

Toxteth_OGrady · 28 January 2005 at 10:23PM

If you're comfortable with editing the registry, change the values of "HungAppTimeout" and "Wait ToKillAppTimeout" to 1000 and 2000 respectively.

:cool:

TOG

MimiJane · 28 January 2005 at 11:22PM

Thanks for all the great replies guys ... much appreciated.:)

I'm working my way through your suggestions, have "trouble-shooted" to the best of my ability (which isn't great!) and downloaded the Windows fixes. I daren't mess about with the registry though as I wouldn't have a clue.:rolleyes:

Anyway, just re-booted twice and no problems, so time will tell.

x

YorkshireBoy · 28 January 2005 at 11:45PM

Now I'm going to go off in a totally different direction here.

I had the same problem with my PC running Win98. I scoured the world via computer help forums re BIOS/Win98 patches etc and everyone was saying run this anti-virus/that spyware/download some other Microsoft patch, etc, etc, etc.

Then, someone in Israel (wow!) told me he had suffered the same problem and he finally traced it to the PSU. I borrowed one from a mates machine and the problem was eliminated.

When I looked into it further (I'm an electrical Engineer) I found that the PSU and the motherboard "talk" to each other, and the last message given is that from the motherboard to the PSU to say "OK, I've powered down now so you can switch off". This signal was not being processed correctly by the PSU.

I decided to upgrade and replace my entire case complete with PSU for £28 from a local computer fair.

HTH
YB

Pat__3 · 29 January 2005 at 12:51AM

I had this problem sometime ago, and it was beacuse I had installed a programme that was not like by XP, so I uninstalled it and re-installed it and everything was fine.:)

The Programme was Nero Burning Rom 6.00
And Nero Express 6.00

Everything is great now.;)

Did you just install a new programme or something.

Cymraeg_2 · 29 January 2005 at 4:44AM

Common problem with 98 is a dodgy sound file . Try turning off System Sounds in Control Panel.

Computer sometimes won't shut down

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