It would help to have a bit more information, such as Operating System, what "changes" Tech Support has had you make, what you've added/subtracted from the system since those changes, etc., but, lacking that information, I can tell you that it frequently winds up being a problem that is more related to the operating system than it is to the hardware (network connected systems being one noteworthy exception), and that there are a variety of possible causes. One has to do with programs that automatically start with Windows that do not shut down properly when you use Start - Shutdown. This is usually related to that specific program, not Windows or your system. Zone Alarm is one of those programs, and this frequently happens with Win98SE machines. Some anti virus programs running in the background can cause improper shutdowns. Microsoft's own Task Scheduler can cause it. My best suggestion would be to look here first, eliminate the obvious, trial-and-error the possible, and concentrate on the maybes. This is a problem that affects just about any Windows equipped machine on the planet, regardless of brand, at one time or another, and one that requires a bit of painstaking research on the part of the person that knows the system best - the user, on occasion.

You'll find some information regarding programs/applications that auto-run at startup, and help on which ones don't need to, here.

Good luck.





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"Annoy the boring."

Message Edited on 08/21/01 02:34PM by Goonboy

Rex002 or Goonboy,

I too have a shut off problem with W2k after installing MS Office XP. Will shutting down the computer by holding in the power button in for nine seconds lead to damaging my computer or system files over time? The pop up boxes says it is saving settings, shutting down, but then freezes.

Thanks,
Nanette