Answer Line: Why Doesn't My Computer Turn Off Properly?

My PC used to shut down quickly without a problem, but now when I try to exit Windows, my computer hangs or otherwise acts up. How do I fix it?

Keyon Naghavi, via the Internet

If you use Windows 98 SE, there's a patch available that you can download from the Microsoft Windows Update page. If you don't use 98 SE, or if the patch does no good, you'll have to do a little diagnostic testing. Select Start, Run, type msconfig, press Enter, and click the Startup tab (if you use Windows 2000, see "Msconfig for Windows 2000 and 95"). Note any unchecked items on the list.

Now click the General tab, and choose Selective startup. Uncheck Load Startup Items, click OK, and reboot your computer. Shut down Windows and see whether your computer turns off correctly.

If it does, the problem is in something that loads at start-up. Back in Msconfig, click the Startup tab, check a listing, click OK, and reboot; then exit Windows and see whether the shutdown problem recurs. Repeat this process with a different listing until you find the culprit. At that point, you have two options: You can decide not to let the problem program load automatically every time you turn on your computer, or you can check with the vendor to see whether it has issued a fix or update.

If selective start-up doesn't solve the problem, the underlying cause may be a bad driver. To find out, boot your computer, and--just before the Windows logo appears--press F8 to enter Safe Mode. Once there, exit and shut down your computer. If it shuts down properly, and you have already done the Msconfig test, the fault probably lies with a driver. Visit your hardware vendors' Web sites and gather updates for all of your drivers; update them until the problem is solved.

If the problem persists when you exit Safe Mode, your trouble could be due to a BIOS problem. Contact your system vendor to learn whether a BIOS update is available. (See this month's Hardware Tips, for more on BIOS updates.)