boot problem

[Guest wundrtek]

I cannot shutdown or restart the computer from the start button or the task

manager. I get no error messages the wallpaper fades as it should, and I get

no response from the shutdown or restart buttons.

[Guest Malke]

Re: boot problem

 

wundrtek wrote:

> I cannot shutdown or restart the computer from the start button or the

> task manager. I get no error messages the wallpaper fades as it should,

> and I get no response from the shutdown or restart buttons.

 

Shutdown issues are generally caused by a program and/or process that is

refusing to exit gracefully. The program and/or process can be from malware

or can be legitimate (such as an invasive antivirus like Norton or McAfee).

If you are using a Norton or McAfee product, uninstall it and replace with

a better program such as NOD32, Kasperksy, or Avast (free). The Windows

Firewall is adequate for most people. With Vista, shutdown issues can also

be caused by old/poorly written drivers so make sure all drivers are

updated. If you have made a driver change in XP, this is applicable to you

too. See Step B. below for general driver directions.

 

A.The first step is always to make sure your computer is virus/malware free.

 

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

 

B. Drivers - The First Law of Driver Updates is "if it ain't broke, don't

fix it". Normally if everything is working you want to leave things as they

are. The exception is that heavy-duty gamers will usually want to update

their video and sound drivers to squeeze every last bit of performance out

of the hardware to get the fastest frame rates. If you're not one of those

people, you don't need to update your drivers if there are no problems you

are trying to solve.

 

Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:

 

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR

2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR

3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer

(HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

 

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

 

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

 

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.

2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific model

machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers anyway)

3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc

Advisor or System Information for Windows.

 

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor

http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows

 

C. If the computer is virus/malware-free, drivers are current, and no Norton

or McAfee programs are installed, then do clean-boot troubleshooting to see

which program/process is the culprit:

 

How to perform a clean boot in Vista and XP -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796

 

D. If you need more information, here is an excellent shutdown

troubleshooter:

 

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

 

Standard caveat: If troubleshooting the issue is too difficult - and there

is absolutely no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the

machine to a computer repair shop. This will not be your local

BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place. Get recommendations from family,

friends, colleagues.

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

Don't Panic!

[Guest wundrtek]

Re: boot problem

 

I'm sorry, I am running XP Profesional. I thought this would be a function of

XP, and not a driver, or even related to my antivirus programs (Norton 2008).

Are these progams (especially Symantec) aware of important files and dll's,

or could they have inadvertantly deleted the control for this. I have run

several checks for virus's, Malware, and Spyware to no avail.

 

"Malke" wrote:

> wundrtek wrote:

>

> > I cannot shutdown or restart the computer from the start button or the

> > task manager. I get no error messages the wallpaper fades as it should,

> > and I get no response from the shutdown or restart buttons.

>

> Shutdown issues are generally caused by a program and/or process that is

> refusing to exit gracefully. The program and/or process can be from malware

> or can be legitimate (such as an invasive antivirus like Norton or McAfee).

> If you are using a Norton or McAfee product, uninstall it and replace with

> a better program such as NOD32, Kasperksy, or Avast (free). The Windows

> Firewall is adequate for most people. With Vista, shutdown issues can also

> be caused by old/poorly written drivers so make sure all drivers are

> updated. If you have made a driver change in XP, this is applicable to you

> too. See Step B. below for general driver directions.

>

> A.The first step is always to make sure your computer is virus/malware free.

>

> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

>

> B. Drivers - The First Law of Driver Updates is "if it ain't broke, don't

> fix it". Normally if everything is working you want to leave things as they

> are. The exception is that heavy-duty gamers will usually want to update

> their video and sound drivers to squeeze every last bit of performance out

> of the hardware to get the fastest frame rates. If you're not one of those

> people, you don't need to update your drivers if there are no problems you

> are trying to solve.

>

> Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:

>

> 1. The device mftr.'s website; OR

> 2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR

> 3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer

> (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

>

> Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

>

> To find out what hardware is in your computer:

>

> 1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.

> 2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific model

> machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers anyway)

> 3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc

> Advisor or System Information for Windows.

>

> http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor

> http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows

>

> C. If the computer is virus/malware-free, drivers are current, and no Norton

> or McAfee programs are installed, then do clean-boot troubleshooting to see

> which program/process is the culprit:

>

> How to perform a clean boot in Vista and XP -

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796

>

> D. If you need more information, here is an excellent shutdown

> troubleshooter:

>

> http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

>

> Standard caveat: If troubleshooting the issue is too difficult - and there

> is absolutely no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the

> machine to a computer repair shop. This will not be your local

> BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place. Get recommendations from family,

> friends, colleagues.

>

> Malke

> --

> MS-MVP

> Elephant Boy Computers

> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

> Don't Panic!

>

[Guest Malke]

Re: boot problem

 

wundrtek wrote:

> I'm sorry, I am running XP Profesional. I thought this would be a function

> of XP, and not a driver, or even related to my antivirus programs (Norton

> 2008). Are these progams (especially Symantec) aware of important files

> and dll's, or could they have inadvertantly deleted the control for this.

> I have run several checks for virus's, Malware, and Spyware to no avail.

 

This post doesn't make a lot of sense to me. You thought what would be a

function of XP? XP is your operating system - its functioning is affected

by the software you have installed: antivirus programs that put deep hooks

into the system, drivers, other software that runs in the background.

 

Please read through the information I already gave you. Since you have

Norton 2008, I would start by uninstalling it as suggested and include

running the Norton removal tool.

 

Norton Removal Tool

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

Don't Panic!