Thread: Windows startup problems

I cannot shut down Windows normally. I have to manually power off my computer to shut it down. What could be the problem?

Before shutting down, Windows closes aLL the running programs, processes and services. If anyone of these is not behaving as it should, Windows wiLL not shut down properly. The first thing to check is whether your anti-virus program scans the floppy drive when you shut down your computer. If it does so, then it may be the reason why Windows cannot shut down. The anti-virus program wiLL not permit Windows to shut down before it finishes checking the floppy drive.

Now, sometimes the floppy drive is faulty and the anti-virus program is not able to scan it. As a result, the shutdown process staLLs. To correct this, uninstaLL your anti-virus program and restart your computer. But ensure that you have manuaLLy disconnected your Internet connection. You don't want a virus to sneak into your system with the antivirus uninstaLLed.

If, after uninstaLLing the anti-virus, your system shuts down normaLLy, then you need to either change the antivirus setting or you need to get a new anti-virus.
If this does not solve your problem, then it may be related to the processes and services running in the background. To diagnose the problem: o Go to "Start 1 Run", type "msconfig" and hit [Enter).



o Click "Selective Startup", clear the "Load System Services" check box, and then click "OK".

o Restart your computer and check whether the problem repeats. If it doesn't then you need to check the systems services that Windows loads during startup.
It is likely that one or more services are malfunctioning. Use "msconfig" again to do this. Stop the malfunction service to fix the problem.

Repeat the above steps for "Startup Items", the "System.INI", "BOOT.INI" and "WIN.INI" file.

Once you know what is causing the problem, either remove the program or service causing the problem or disable it.