If you haven't updated to the latest BIOS, I suggest you do so.

Go into safe mode F8 on DELL LOGO screen.

Then last configurations that worked.

Or maybe get an AIR DUSTER and clean all the dust out from the heatsink and fans.

what did you add or update when this happened.

More info ?:emotion-1:

It could be a hardware or a software issue. Windows performance greatly degrades the longer it is used (especially Windows XP) and such symptoms you are experiencing are common of a sofotware issue, especially if a certain program isn't shutting down properly.

I suggest you look at my Windows Reinstallation Guide and Related Wikies

First clear out the dust as mentioned by Electromagnetic above (page 486).

Next run the Dell diagnostics (page 431-434). If the diagnostics pass your hardware should be okay.

Next follow Software maintainence (page 471-485), this should hopefully solve your shut down issue.

Although it is more involved I recomemnd Clean installation of Windows XP this will give you optimum performance.

Ok I know, still rockin a really old computer but it's still treating me well! The issue I'm having is, every time I try to power down my computer from the dialog box where it gives you other options, hibernate ect... it freezes...SOMETIMES it shuts down or goes into hibernation mode. I manually shut it down from that point and I know that's horrible to do for whatever reason... anyone know what the problem could be? Hardware issue probably?

I had a sleep problem with an MSI AM3 homebuilt with a 5770 video card; in the end, a BIOS upgrade fixed it.

A Windows reinstall might work, however. It's worth trying. 

[quote user="theor23"] Ok I know, still rockin a really old computer but it's still treating me well! The issue I'm having is, every time I try to power down my computer from the dialog box where it gives you other options, hibernate ect... it freezes...SOMETIMES it shuts down or goes into hibernation mode. I manually shut it down from that point and I know that's horrible to do for whatever reason... anyone know what the problem could be? Hardware issue probably?

I had a sleep problem with an MSI AM3 homebuilt with a 5770 video card; in the end, a BIOS upgrade fixed it.

A Windows reinstall might work, however. It's worth trying. 

[/quote]

Yes! This was the solution, a little cleaning, BIOS update and shazam! 

Thanks everyone!