Sounds like something in you Start-Up might be causing this.

Try the following.

1. Go to START | RUN and type "msconfig" (without the quotes) in the "Open" box; click on "OK".

2. Click on the Startup tab and remove all checks EXCEPT for :

ScanRegistry,

TaskMonitor,

PCHealth,

SystemTray,

LoadPowerProfile,

SynTPLpr,

SynTPEnh,

LoadPowerProfile.

Don't worry if all are not present.

3. Click on "OK". You will be prompted to REBOOT. Allow your system to reboot.

4. After the system has restarted, see if the problem still occurs.

If the problem still occurs, then you can put all the checks back in MSCONFIG, because your startup is not the problem.

If the problem no longer occurs, go back into msconfig, and recheck the items in startup one at a time.

You will need to click OK and REBOOT after each item is checked to test if that item is the cause of the problem.

Thank you for choosing Dell.

Hello John i am using Windows 2000 Professional and in following these instructions all i get is a error stating the following

cannot find the file 'msconfig' (or one it's components.) Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available

I tried and tried and TRIED with TWO new Inspiron 5150 laptops to remedy the hang at the last point in the shutdown sequence.  Talked with tech support at least 12 times, ended up re-loading Win XP clean from scratch and STILL had the same shutdown hang or hanging when trying to enter hibernate mode.

Finally sent back the replacement the 5150 for the second time and thought I'd order a new 8600 thinking maybe that it wouldn't have this problem. 

If support or moderator can't find a solution to this problem I may wait for release of Microsoft Service Pack 2 later this Spring.

Good luck.  I'll be watching for a solution.