desktop will not shut down properly

I am running windows ME.

I am running windows ME.

When the computer fails to shut down properly do you have a blinking cursor in the upper left corner of the screen? This happenned with the 4100 computers early on, under Windows 98 and the cure was a BIOS upgrade to version A03. I have not heard of this problem under Windows ME but it is possible you need a BIOS update. As a temporary measure whilst you find out if an update is called for (ask Dell Technical Support) do not hit the reboot button, but wait a short while to see if Windows will shut down by itself and then press the power button and hold it down for about six seconds. This will turn the system off. If Windows did not shut down correctly it will still probably run Scandisk when you next boot up.

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Hi. One of my computers is a Dell Dimension L series running Windows ME, and the problem seems to be related to AOL. One of the suggested fixes is to upgrade to AOL 6, but it did not resolve the shut down problem for me.

One of the things I did is enter the system BIOS by pressing delete while turning the computer on, arrowing right to BOOT, arrow down to Restore power on AC Loss, press enter, and changing the value to Stays Off. Press enter and then press F10 to save the change. At least when you have to "pull the plug", the system won't try to boot immediately when power is restored.

Microsoft is blaming AOL, and AOL is still hot because of the Instant Messanger fiasco last year.. Having being a beta tester for both Windows ME and AOL 6, I can assure you that updates and fixes are in the works for both. You might look at this page on Microsoft's web site, they will probably have a fix posted in the future:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q276/1/97.asp

Art

Thanks for your help Art.

i have the same problem with the shutdown, but i don't have aol (a.k.a gAyOL), i have winME too.

I too use Win ME and have the identical problem. Neither the update of my BIOS nor the upgrade of AOL helped. I have discovered that when my Motorola SurfBoard 3100 cable modem is on I am unable to properly shut down me PC. I am also using a Linksys LNEPCI II network card.

When I turn off the modem and then perform the normal shut down my Dell Dimension 4100 shuts down properly including the auto power-down. For me, I turn-off my modem and the shut down completes beautifully. Linksys has not provided any help. I am wonder whether anyone is experiencing a similar problem?

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