Error message when shutting down Windows

Question

I have a Dimension 9100 running Windows XP SP2. I have one floppy drive and a DVD rom drive and a DVD RW drive. Every once in a while, which is now becoming more frequent, when I shut down Windows by going to Start-Turn off Computer, instead of Windows shutting down like it should, I get this box with a message saying something about 'Ending program' and then blue bars will go across it. Usually the file says CCApp in the corner. Sometimes it says something else but it's too quick to catch what it says. Can someone please tell me what this means and how I go about fixing it? I'm running the current edition of Spy Sweeper and also Norton's AntiVirus and Windows Firewall. I don't know if there is another program running in the background that hasn't shut off and that is causing it, or if I have some corrupted files. I just don't want it to all of a sudden stop working. I know there are times when my computer freezes and Ctrl Alt Del doesn't work, so I have to shut the pc off manually on the tower. Any ideas without having to reinstall Windows? I haven't upgraded to IE 7 year. I'm afraid to because I heard a lot of things about it and right now things are running as they should most of the time.

JRosenfeld · Answer

Before Windows shuts itself down, it gives apps that are running in the background some time to shut down. If they take longer, that message appears and you can either let Windows force it to shut down or click end to force it to shut down immediately. This does no harm.   To avoid the annoying, but otherwise harmless message, you can make one or other small change in the registry, either to tell Windows to shut down apps automatically, or to give them more time to do so:   In the registry at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop   if you change the data for AutoEndTasks from 0 to 1, Windows will automatically shut down apps   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/34625.mspx?mfr=true   or you can increase the data of the value WaitToKillAppTimeout from its default 20000 milliseconds (20 seconds) to a larger value.   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/34625.mspx?mfr=true   note:although those links refer to Windows 2000 they also apply to Windows XP.   To modify the data of those values in the registry, click start, click run, type regedit, press enter. In the registry editor window that opens, in the left pane, click the + next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER to expand the branch of the tree below it. Click on + next to Control panel. Click on Desktop. The right pane now shows the values in the Desktop key. Right click on the one you want to modify, click modify. Make the change in the box that opens, click OK. Exit the registry.   Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 01-22-200706:52 PM

RKinner · Answer

CCAPP is part of Norton AntiVirus.  I've seen it do that before.  Is this a paid up subscription?  If not we can dump it (uninstall) and use the free Avast which runs a lot faster.    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial104.html   (Norton uninstaller is pretty poor and may leave pieces of Norton lying around which Avast will choke on.  After you uninstall it and assuming you do not have any other Norton/Symantec products that you want to keep, Start, Search, For Files or Folders then under More Advanced Options check the top three boxes then search for Norton.  Delete or rename any folders you find.  Repeat for Symantec.   If you've paid for it then try upgrading it:   ' The ccApp.exe problem [has been fixed] ... in the latest Common Client and Norton AntiSpam program updates. To install the update, start your Norton product, run LiveUpdate, download the updates (including any Common Client updates and the Norton AntiSpam program update if it is listed), and then restart the computer when you are asked to do so. ' (Source: symantec.com)   Ron

dbramlet · Answer

Sometimes windows has a hard time shutting programs down. Each program loaded at startup also has to be closed at shutdown. Spy Sweeper and Norton are well known to cause shutdown problems. I think the CCApp is a Norton application. You can shut Norton down manually before shutting windows down and see it that gets rid of the error at shutdown. If not then shutdown Spy Sweeper manually also. In Norton and possibly Spy Sweeper you can look under options for each program and make sure scans like on floppy drives and such are not being checked at shutdown. But it is one of those programs causing you the problem and you will have to determine which one it is.

robinhood42 · Answer

Yes, I do have a paid subscription to Norton AntiVirus. In fact I just renewed my subscription about a month ago. I bought version 2004 when it was out and just kept updating the program and renewing the subscription. Had I known about the problem, I would have uninstalled Norton and gone with the other free one Avast. I'll try updating the program and see if that solves the problem. I'll also go to their website. I use Webroot's SpySweeper too and I don't think Norton and SpySweeper get along together. They work together, but I don't think they like each other. Thanks so much for letting me know what the problem is. I thought it might have been my computer ready to go.

mombodog · Answer

If you do decide to remove Norton, double check the version you have first, then use one of these un-installers by Norton to completely remove the product.   http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039  2003-2007   http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2001090510510636    2003 and earlier   Be sure of the version, do not assume.

mombodog · Answer

IE7 has problems installing properly because of all the software you are running in the background, go here and read about how to prepare to install IE7, Vista is all over this site, but the advice given here works for XP also.   http://www.ie-vista.com/known_issues.html

robinhood42 · Answer

I have been reading all these threads and I plan on printing them out. I want to thank everyone for the help with this problem. It's more of an annoying thing than anythng else, but I didn't know if it was a computer problem or software problem. I know I have a lot of programs running in the background, and that there are probably lots of lost files in the Registry that need to be cleaned out, but I'm not sure how to do that. I don't like messing with the Registry unless I know what I'm doing or someone gives me directions, like I was given in these threads.   I'm on a cable modem and I know that is another chance of getting a nasty virus, but it seems that we need all this software to prevent someone hacking into our computers. But I bet most of them know how to get around this software anyway. I keep my Norton AntiVirus up to date. SpySweeper is okay, but whenever it does a sweep, all my passwords go with it, so when I want to log onto a page that I go to frequently, I have to remember what the username and passwords are. So I'm doing what I should have been doing all along, writing them down.   Can someone tell me what is the most necessary protection software that a comuter needs, especially one that is hooked to the internet 24/7? I do have Norton, and SpySweeper. I am sure the Windows Firewall is on, but I have heard bad things about it. That it is just a cheap little program that doesn't catch much. Anyone use ZoneAlarm? I used to use Adaware and SpyBot, but haven't used those in a long time.   Oh, by the way, has anyone using Win XP SP2 downloaded Internet Explorer 7 yet? I did one day and had nothing but problems, so I had to uninstall it. And what about those other updates, are they really necessary? Sometimes I download the updates and things go haywire. I don't know if those updates can apply to everyone's pc or it's up to us to know which ones to download?   Thanks again for all the help, and all the links. I'm quite sure I'm using Norton 2004, but I'll double check the disc. I know I bought it a long time ago.   P.S. I am still running the original Bios version 1. Should I update it to 3, or leave things alone? I wonder if that is causing some of these problems. I never really updated anything on this computer since I had it, except for MicroSoft's downloads. I have 2 years left on the warranty. I took out the extended warranty when I bought the pc.I have never updated any firmware either. I think the only thing that was updated a while back was the chipset.   Message Edited by robinhood42 on 01-22-200711:16 PM

mombodog · Answer

'I'm on a cable modem and I know that is another chance of getting a nasty virus, but it seems that we need all this software to prevent someone hacking into our computers.'   Viruses mostly come from opening emails from people you do not know, Good Anti virus will stop 99.9% of viruses. Norton is a well know AV software and is always the first to be shutdown by malware, use a lesser Known AV software. Dump Norton and Use some of the others suggested here.   http://www.download.com/Avast-Home-Edition/3000-2239_4-10602417.html?tag=lst-0-10  highly rated   http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10342876.html  next best.       If you put a Router between the modem and your PC, this is called a hardware firewall, you will not get hacked unless they have your IP address and can hack the router first, they will move on to an easier target, even if they can find out your IP, and they cannot if you use a router. XP SP2 has a built in firewall that is sufficient if used with a router, you don't need any firewall software add on.   Spysweeper is good, but is erasing your good cookies along with the bad ones, there probably is a setting to exclude cookies from the cleaning process.   Adaware does a better job of removing the bad cookies, but leaving the good ones. Spybot is the best anti malware program on the planet. But must be used regularly. Version 1.4 is the latest.   Zonealarm is a resource hog and hard to configure, use a router and windows firewall as suggested above.   Yes Windows Updates are necessary to prevent malware from getting in through your browser and other programs, these are called vulnerabilities and must be patched using Windows Update. Windows Update chooses the correct updates for your PC, you do not have to do anything but install them, or you can configure the PC to do this for you with Automatic Updates.    Do not update the Bios unless you know it will address a specific problem you have. Message Edited by mombodog on 01-22-200711:48 PM

robinhood42 · Answer

mombodog, Can you kind of explain what a hardware firewall looks like and about how much they are? I do want to get one. As for email, I never open attachments. Those go into the delete file. I also don't have the preview pain showing in my Outlook Express, so if I get an email with an attachment I can just delete it and now have to worry about the attachment coming through.

robinhood42 · Answer

rickmkfg,   Okay, let me explain. First, I'm not as dumb as you seem to think I am. At least your post comes off sounding like that. Second, when I had my first Dell computer it came with Norton AV 2004. I haven't been paying for the updates. I guess you misunderstood what I said. I get all the updates free. But, when a new version comes out, I pay about $19.99 for the newer version. So I started with 2004, but it doesn't mean that is the version I am using now. I just newered Norton and I had to download it and install it. Does that make any sense?   As for hardware firewalls, I had never seen one before, but have heard of them. I went to Staples online to see what they look like. Nothing came up in the search engine, so I went online to Office Depot. They had one. It said you hook it up between the pc and the cable modem. That sounds easy enough. I have no idea how the wireless ones work because the only wireless things I have is the keyboard and mouse that goes to my computer. I saw what the Router looked like. Of course I couldn't see the firewall built inside. I think the one I was looking at was the wired one. And they only showed one router.   I learned a long time ago never to open attachments, even if they are from someone I know. Because some people don't use Anti Virus software and at one time I was getting so many viruses that I ended up having to do a complete reinstall of windows, which took forever. There is nothing in an attachment that I need to see. Also, I'm been getting a lot of spam on my private email address, so when it comes through, I block it. Even if the subject line says something like hi. If I don't recognize the email address, they all get blocked. It's hard to keep up with all this technology. I went into Staples once and technology has changed so much I didn't know half of what I was looking at. I'm still running Windows XP Pro SP2 and have no plans on upgrading to Vista. What I have no serves me well.   Sorry, I didn't mean to get nasty. I guess I just didn't word things right. I am thankful for the help.   Right now I'm just looking around. This is the one I found at Office Depot. http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=721048&Ntt=hardware%20firewalls&uniqueSearchFlag=true&An=text   The way you described installing a hardware firewall, it sounds a little complicated. Is it? Message Edited by robinhood42 on 01-23-200707:38 PM

rickmktg · Answer

robinhood42 wrote:

mombodog,

Can you kind of explain what a hardware firewall looks like and about how much they are? I do want to get one. As for email, I never open attachments. Those go into the delete file. I also don't have the preview pain showing in my Outlook Express, so if I get an email with an attachment I can just delete it and now have to worry about the attachment coming through.

First, how do you have Norton 2004 when you've been paying for updates all these years...? FYI, you should BUY Norton at retail in the future for FREE after upgrade rebate. I haven't paid for Norton is so long I cannot remember, and that's on 3 machines.

If you're looking for a hardware firewall, they're hard to see since it's BUILT INTO the router that mombodog mentioned. Buy a wired or wireless router (your choice), plug it in between your computer and your cable modem, and you have a hardware firewall. There are other steps to take including testing all the ports at www.grc.com, turning off the SSID broadcast (wireless router), setting encryption (wireless router), and most important - when you setup the router CHANGE its password. If the router broadcasts the network, and you don't change the password, it's easy to get in.

Your attachment rule is a great one. I tell my 70 year old mother to never open attachments she's not expecting, then I send her one and she opens it...

rickmktg · Answer

robinhood42 wrote:

rickmkfg,

Okay, let me explain. First, I'm not as dumb as you seem to think I am. At least your post comes off sounding like that. Second, when I had my first Dell computer it came with Norton AV 2004. I haven't been paying for the updates. I guess you misunderstood what I said. I get all the updates free. But, when a new version comes out, I pay about $19.99 for the newer version. So I started with 2004, but it doesn't mean that is the version I am using now. I just newered Norton and I had to download it and install it. Does that make any sense?

Sorry, no that doesn't make sense. I don't know what "I just newered Norton" means. Open Norton, click on Help, and you'll learn what version you have.

As for hardware firewalls, I had never seen one before, but have heard of them. I went to Staples online to see what they look like. Nothing came up in the search engine, so I went online to Office Depot. They had one. It said you hook it up between the pc and the cable modem. That sounds easy enough. I have no idea how the wireless ones work because the only wireless things I have is the keyboard and mouse that goes to my computer. I saw what the Router looked like. Of course I couldn't see the firewall built inside. I think the one I was looking at was the wired one. And they only showed one router.

Office Depot has tons of routers. http://www.officedepot.com/textSearch.do?uniqueSearchFlag=true&Ntt=router as does Staples http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesSearch?keyword=router&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&errorUrl=searchnoresults&searchSumUrl=searchresultssummary&searchUnsumUrl=searchresults&fromUrl=home

If you don't need wireless ever, buy a wired router, should be $20 or less on sale. Dlink and Linksys are some top brands.

I learned a long time ago never to open attachments, even if they are from someone I know. Because some people don't use Anti Virus software and at one time I was getting so many viruses that I ended up having to do a complete reinstall of windows, which took forever. There is nothing in an attachment that I need to see. Also, I'm been getting a lot of spam on my private email address, so when it comes through, I block it. Even if the subject line says something like hi. If I don't recognize the email address, they all get blocked. It's hard to keep up with all this technology. I went into Staples once and technology has changed so much I didn't know half of what I was looking at. I'm still running Windows XP Pro SP2 and have no plans on upgrading to Vista. What I have no serves me well.

Bingo! Too bad 99.9% of the users aren't smart enough to figure that out.

The way you described installing a hardware firewall, it sounds a little complicated. Is it?

If you get a wireless you have more steps. Wired is easy. Plug it in, change the password, check it on www.grc.com, a tool called Shields Up!

robinhood42 · Answer

I apologize for my typing. I type so fast that I'm making too many mistakes. What I meant when I said I 'just newered Norton' is that I just 'renewed' my subscription. Lately my typing has been getting pretty bad. Again, sorry for that. Next time I'll proofread what I write. My thoughts get ahead of me and I end up making lots of mistakes.   I checked the version of Norton that I am using, and It's version 2006. Now I understand what you are talking about. I pay for the upgraded versions when they come out. You must still use the original version that you purchased and keep it updated. I tried Norton Internet Security once, but it blocked so many webpages that I ended up uninstalling it.   I was looking over the links that you sent me and most of the routers are wireless. I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question, but knowing just about nothing about routers, do all of them include the firewall? Or is that just what a router is, a hardware firewall?   I've been trying to find one like the one you recommended, but there aren't too many wired routers. I prefer a wired one anyway. I don't move my computer because it's a desktop, so I'd prefer the wired ones. I'm trying to find one in the $20 range but no luck so far. My brother has a wireless Linksys and he really likes it. There was a wired router online at Office Depot and it was $79 and basically you just plugged it in and that was it. However, I really don't want to pay that much for one.   I did learn the hard way never to upgrade to a new operating system when it first comes out. I remember when I went from Win 3.1 to Win95. It was a nightmare. I know that once Vista is out and people start using it, we are going to hear about all the problems. And Windows XP Pro SP2 works fine for me, so there is no reason to upgrade it. When things are working right, I like to keep it that way. I will most likely keep using it as long as I have ths computer.   I'm really sorry if I came off sounding rude before. It's just that you were thinking one thing about hardware and I was thinking another and I got  confused. Now, I'm going to see if I can find that router. If you happen to find one before me, would you give me a jingle? Thanks

mombodog · Answer

It's formal name is Router. I have one of these, they are easy to install and setup.   http://www.buy.com/prod/D_Link_4_Port_Cable_DSL_Router_DI_604/q/loc/101/10326027.html

mombodog · Answer

' Or is that just what a router is, a hardware firewall?'     Yes.   Check my post above for a wired router.

Windows General

Error message when shutting down Windows

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