Windows/Computer Shutdown Problem

Hi,

I've recently come across a problem with my computer. The issue is that when I try to shut my computer down with the steps; Start --> Shut Down ....nothing happens.

The computer seems to have shut down some programs or actions, coz I noticed the tool bar on the bottom-right flash and some icons disappear. But after this, the computer is still switched on and doesn't seem to shut down any further.

So I found that the only way for me to shut it down is log off as current user first, then shut the computer down on the log on screen. However, when I click the shut down on that screen, a message box will pop up saying..Another user is currently logged on, if you shut down all unsaved informtaion will be lost. Do you still wish to continue. (something like that.) So I click yes and it finally allows me to shut down.

Has anyone encountered this problem or know how to solve it? Does anyone know what the problem is? Is it a problem with the computer itself or have I been hacked?

Please help. Thanks in advance.

my first guess is you've got lots of services/programs running either from having lots of things installed intentionally or spyware installed unintentionally.

if you press ctrl+shift+esc you can see the processes (programs that are running). Do it when you're shutting down so you can see what's not being closed. make a list of what's still running when your computer "hangs".
Google them up and see what they are, if none of them are any known spyware I guess you just have to wait longer for windows to close those programs down.

Also the task manager can show you who's logged on so make a note of that too. It could be your family member logged on before you. If you see some dodgey usernames, it's because you've been hacked or installed some malicious software.

How to solve? reinstall windows and don't click on the porno ads next time.

thanks KeongJai,

I 've done most of what you have mentioned, except the googling up the processes part.

as for the username, when i look that up, only mine username is shown.

I really don't want to reinstall Windows again....i just did that not that long ago...

i mean in windows task manager, in the processes tab, there's a username column. You should only see "system", "local service", "network service", "whatever other windows service account", "your own username" if you see another username such as "asdasthbdasT$#" then you probably have spyware or a virus etc.

Yeh, I know. that's where I checked. and it shows that i have 27 processes running.

try using the shut down on the control-alt-delete task manager

the reason why the shutdown process stalled is because its waiting for other programs (processes) to close.

Normal shutdown technique (START -> Shutdown, or ALT-CTL-DEL Shutdown) sends a shutdown message to programs running. now rogue (or buggy) programs may not respond to the shutdown message and continue running. Since the Shutdown process is not receiving acknowledgement, it continues to wait and wait and wait and wait...

one method to force shutdown is to execute the shutdown program from the command prompt (START -> RUN -> CMD.exe)
Go to your windows system32 directory (eg cd c:\windows\system32 enter)
force shutdown, type: shutdown -s -f

format your computer, window get corrupt is common after 6 - 12 month of use, a computer needs to be format at around that time anyways, save you alot of waiting time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warlock110

format your computer, window get corrupt is common after 6 - 12 month of use, a computer needs to be format at around that time anyways, save you alot of waiting time.

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you format your computer every 6 months?! :eek:

I need to format mine. :( Windows won't even load up anymore.

i think it may be my msn messanger that's stopping the computer to shut down.
i've kinda of noticed that when msn is not on, the computer shuts down fine, and last time, i specifically shut down msn 1st, then the computer, and it shut down.
though i'm not sure if it is really the problem. i will try again today.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pemberly

you format your computer every 6 months?! :eek:

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I used to reformat and install windows on my Dad's computer every few months because he used to get heaps of adware/spyware. Until one time, I made everyone's accounts have normal user access and only used the admin account to install things. I haven't had a problem since.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KeongJai

I used to reformat and install windows on my Dad's computer every few months because he used to get heaps of adware/spyware. Until one time, I made everyone's accounts have normal user access and only used the admin account to install things. I haven't had a problem since.

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lol ur dad much a lot of .... at night :p