windows shut down problem

[abhinavrai]

my system is not shutting down.i wait for it to shut down for about 30 minutes but it didn't. at last i have to directly shut it down by power off button. this problem is always repeated. i have scanned the whole system but it still persists
please tell what to do.

O.S.-windows xp
ANTIVIRUS- ms essentials.

[Studlyami]

at what point does it not shutdown? Are you still in your desktop? can you view your task manager? Try booting in safe mode then see if the computer can shut down properly.

[barnaba]

In such cases I usually reinstall windows.

[Studlyami]

In such cases I usually reinstall windows.

I think that's a little harsh.. at least right off the start. There are other things we can do to pin the problem and fix it without reinstalling everything.

[Stang02GT]

You could have a program open that needs to be closed before windows can shut down. My work PC will not let me shut down if Outlook is open.