Try closing up some program and check if it will do the trick

fullumd,

The best XP shutdown troubleshooter around is here. It may be of some help.

You could also try installing User Profile Hive Cleanup Utility (uphclean.exe), free from Microsoft to help with shutdown issues.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1b286e6d-8912-4e18-b570-42470e2f3582&displaylang=en

Ron