Well this is certainly a new one for me...

 

I'm running XP Professional (with all of the latest MS updates) on my Inspiron 9100/laptop.  The normal "shutdown" (Start->Shutdown-> ->OK) just doesn't do anything.  The "restart" version doesn't do anything either.  The ctl-alt-del version of initiating a shutdown does not shut down.  If I set the power options (in Control Panel) so the power button does a shutdown, it doesn't do a shutdown either.  My 9100 just stays up/running (like the Energizer Bunny but different) - I, however, want to turn it off.

 

Of unlikely but possible relevance:  The only other thing/task running is Norton Internet Security (inc Anti-Virus) 2006.  Note that never presented a problem in the past.  Also, I'm running (with a good battery) on AC/charger/wall-power.  If you want to know "what has changed" in this occurence, I installed MS Media Player 11 (from MSupdate).

 

Help?  Thoughts?  Is there some "hard reset" button hidden somewhere on the 9100 that will force a re-boot (like what is typically found on a desktop/tower in the vicinity of the power button)?  I can't find my 9100 hardware manual and I've never had to use the hard reset (if it in fact exists)...

 

(thx)