I have a similar problem with an old Dell on my network.  I have a Windows 98 machine, I haven't upgraded its operating system because I still have an old DOS application I have to access from time to time and it won't run under XP.  When I choose shutdown, I get the Windows is shutting down screen, then it just locks up.  I have to manually turn it off.  I have only 3 computers on my little network, 2 are Windows 98, one is XP Pro.  The other 2 shutdown normally.

 

Any ideas????

Thanks, Mike

You may be able to see the error messages by doing this:

Go to your Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Event Viewer Check under the System Tab for any listed error messages. If any are found, repost them in a new thread or go to http://www.google.com and input the error message in the search box to see if solution may be listed. Kip

jezebel1234,

See if using System Restore to take the computer to its state before the error occurred clears up the problem. If not, and if examining the event viewer does not provide any enlightenment, you may have to do a Repair Reinstallation of XP. Instructions for this are here. (If you do this you will have to reinstall all Windows Critical Updates that you have installed since receiving the computer.)

GarbageMan1,

The best shutdown troubleshooter available is here. It should be of some assistance.