Xp will not shut down or restart properly

[creager]

The title says it all I suppose. I use the start button for 4 seconds to shut down and push the restart to do so.
The proper way of course is to use clear the task bar/click start/ then shut down or restart, that will not do the job.

[GaryRouth]

If this problem recently started, and you haven't made any hardware or software changes, it's often a symptom of malware infection. Try booting into Safe Mode (tap the F8 key during startup & select Safe Mode from the Menu) and running your antivirus/antimalware scans on as thorough settings as you can. Make sure your firewall is on & ready to go at reboot, and try a visit to an online scanner - I used to recommend TrendMicro's HouseCall, though I'm not as keen on their recent version of it (very slow & rather buggy) - but there are also online scans available from Panda & others. HouseCall is at http://housecall.trendmicro.com -- it's still very thorough, but it will take at least 30 to 40 minutes on today's larger drives.

If the malware scans find much to clean, but the problem persists, it's possible some damaged system files still aren't quite wonderful - you can try running a System Restore & choosing a restore point from before the trouble started, or perhaps try a run of the Windows File Protection (much like the older Win9x System File Checker) = from the Start/Run box, type the command "sfc /scannow" -without the quotes.

There are several other issues that might be a cause, but these are easy quick-fix things you can try first. Aumha.org has an XP Shutdown troubleshooter at http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

Best of luck
. . . Gary