[twolfe87]

I had to use the System File Checker utility to fix a problem with windows explorer about a month ago, and ever since I've been having problems shutting down my computer.

I realize it's not really essential, but most of the time my computer won't shut down on it's own. I use the start menu to shut down and it stays on the blue "windows is shutting down screen" until I get impatient and press the power button (which can sometimes be as long as 10 or 20 minutes).

Any Ideas?

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Click start then run, type prefetch then press enter, click edit then select all, right click any file then click delete, confirm delete

Click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc clean up, then from system tools, run disc defragmenter.

Click start then run, type sfc /scannow then press enter, you need the XP CD and Windows File Protection will show an on screen blue progress bar which will simply disappear when the scan is complete, reboot when it does

Click start then run, type chkdsk /f /r then press enter, type Y to confirm for next boot, press enter then reboot.

Windows will appear to load normally then either the monitor will show progress or the screen will go blank, do not disturb this.

This will take an hour or so before it gets to the desktop.

Download and install Tune Up 2006 Trial

Run Tune Up Disc Clean Up

Run Tune Up Registry Clean Up

Click Optimize and Improve to run Reg Defrag, which will take a few minutes and need a reboot. You should disable the antivirus programme to run this and check it is running after the reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to optimize the computer, select computer with an internet connection from the drop down menu, this also requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to accelerate downloads, select the speed just above your actual connection speed, this requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to run system advisor

If no change, the next thing to do would be a repair install, this will leave data and settings intact

XP Repair

After running the repair it will be necessary to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[Retired Tech]

Click start then run, type prefetch then press enter, click edit then select all, right click any file then click delete, confirm delete

Click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc clean up, then from system tools, run disc defragmenter.

Click start then run, type sfc /scannow then press enter, you need the XP CD and Windows File Protection will show an on screen blue progress bar which will simply disappear when the scan is complete, reboot when it does

Click start then run, type chkdsk /f /r then press enter, type Y to confirm for next boot, press enter then reboot.

Windows will appear to load normally then either the monitor will show progress or the screen will go blank, do not disturb this.

This will take an hour or so before it gets to the desktop.

Download and install Tune Up 2006 Trial

Run Tune Up Disc Clean Up

Run Tune Up Registry Clean Up

Click Optimize and Improve to run Reg Defrag, which will take a few minutes and need a reboot. You should disable the antivirus programme to run this and check it is running after the reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to optimize the computer, select computer with an internet connection from the drop down menu, this also requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to accelerate downloads, select the speed just above your actual connection speed, this requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to run system advisor

If no change, the next thing to do would be a repair install, this will leave data and settings intact

XP Repair

After running the repair it will be necessary to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[twolfe87]

I'm still in the process of running the disk defragmenter, may be another hour or so still.

I've got to get to bed as I've got a final exam in the morning, so you might not hear from me for some time.

I do have one question though, as I'm trying to become a little more computer literate as I go here, what exactly do the disk cleanup and disk fragmenter do?

[Retired Tech]

Disc clean up removes files which windows does not consider essential

Defragmenter puts the files in order so windows does not have to search all over the drive when you need them

[twolfe87]

Just a little update, I've just finished running chkdsk /f /r and the problem has not been resolved.

I'm downloading Tune Up now.

Edited by twolfe87, 24 April 2006 - 02:01 PM.

[twolfe87]

I've made it up to the repair install, which I don't have time to do at the moment, I should be able to start it in about 2 hours.

Any other suggestions before I resort to that?

[Retired Tech]

Does any programme scan the computer before shutdown

Try this to see if it shuts the PC down, it will shutdown, reboot, defrag then shutdown, at the finish of the install, tick the box to run it

http://www.vcsoftwares.com/SF.exe

[twolfe87]

That program rebooted the computer.

However, once it booted up I attempted to shut the computer down again and it wouldn't go past the "windows is shutting down" screen

[Retired Tech]

Did it reboot, run the defrag and then shut the PC down?

[twolfe87]

Oh, no, it rebooted, ran the defrag, started to shut down, and never made it past the "shutting down" screen.

I thought just rebooting on its own was progress...

[Retired Tech]

I would go with the repair now

[twolfe87]

Ok, I'm not going to have time to do it yet tonight.

I'll get back to you once I've completed it.

Edited by twolfe87, 24 April 2006 - 08:47 PM.

[twolfe87]

Ok Keith, I'm just getting to the repair install.

I've been moving home from school over the past 2 days, I didn't forget about you.

[twolfe87]

The Repair Install appears to have fixed the problem, boots up much quicker too.

Thanks again Keith.

[Retired Tech]

Thank You for letting me know