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I have a Windows XP Professional system with IE 6. The problem that I face is that whenever I give the shutdown command, my PC doesn't shut down. Please suggest a solution.

Vijay Thapa

There are a few reasons for this problem. When the system is shut down, it closes all running services and programs that are running in the background, and if one of these services or programs does not terminate, the shutdown process is affected and the system eventually hangs.

You can get some clue as to the services or programs that are causing the problem from the error messages which pop up after the shutdown command is given. Please note down the service or program name for the error (you will find it in the message itself or on the title bar of the message). If it is a service, you can look for it in the msconfig tool and disable it. To do this, please go to Start Menu-{gt} run and type in msconfig; in the dialog box that shows up, please select the "Services" tab, look for the Service name you have noted down and uncheck the check box next to it, and click `ok'.

If, on the other hand, the error indicates a program, then you should uninstall it using the Add/Remove icon in the control panel. Once this is done, please check to see if your shutdown issue is resolved. If it persists, you will need to check and see if there is any problem related to the devices you have installed. If you have newly installed any device such as an internal modem, graphics and any other add-on card, please try removing it and see if by doing so you solve problem. Go to the device manager by right clicking on the My Computer icon and select Manage and go to device manager. In the list of devices that pops up, please check the property tab of the device like sound card, video care, LAN card or any other add-on cards installed to see if it has any conflict with other devices. If any device has a conflict, please disable it and see if this solves the issue.

If this problem has cropped up recently, you can consider using the "system Restore" function to restore your system to a state before the problem occurred. The system restore takes a snap shot of your system at different point of times. Using this you can switch your system back to a state when it was working fine. However, you will lose any programs or devices installed after the Restore Point.

To access the System Restore Tool, please login as administrator and go to Start -{gt} Accessories -{gt} System Tools - {gt} System Restore and select a date to which you want to switch your system to and complete the wizard.

Finally you can try an "In-place Upgrade" of your OS. An in-place Upgrade is a reinstallation of your OS without disturbing the present installation; this upgrade will only replace/repair system related issues.

Please e-mail us at eworld@thehindu.co.in

if you have queries on computer usage or if you find an interesting way of using a computer.

Solution by G. Rajah

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