Is this an XP bug or a computer problem? - Diesel Forum

Larry S. · 09-13-2008, 11:13 PM

I have two PCs running XP and both have the same issue. When doing a full shut down, often a message comes up that a program is not responding after it's shutdown has progressed for a time. To complete Windows shut down I have to click on the "shut down now" button on the warning. Sometimes this will happen on two or three programs during shutdown, but mostly on just one. It isn't always the same program. On one of the PCs, sometimes when this happens the background picture will remain on the screen after Windows shuts down and the machine can only be turned off by holding the power button down.

4micaman · 09-13-2008, 11:26 PM

I'm sure you do this but, I'll say it for the sake of saying it anyway.

Make sure both boxes have all the latest updates from Windows Update.

Make sure your AV, Spyware, and Adware programs are up to date and run full scans on them.

I'd suspect a virus, trojan, backdoor... though it could likely be a runaway/buggy piece of software. If your scans don't turn up anything, try the below suggestion.

One thing you could do is do a "CTRL+ALT+DELETE" and select the processes tab. Look for individual process that are running in the background. If you're unsure what a process is, a quick Google of the name (process.extension) will lead you to finding out exactly what's good or bad.

If that doesn't turn anything up, post back with the exact message of the dialogue box.

Larry S. · 09-14-2008, 11:00 PM

I will try a complete scan since it has been sometime since I ran one. This may be the answer on my wife's machine since the problem recently became consistent on it. My machine has been doing it since new. I will make note of the message windows, and their message, when this happens.

Thanks for your help. Any more suggestions you come up with will be appreciated as well.

short_stuff · 09-25-2008, 06:26 PM

It could just be a timing issue. When windows shuts the programs down, it waits so many seconds before it issues the little box that asks if you want to end the program now. Do a little research and you might find that you have a lot of junk running in background unnecessarily. You can go into MSCONFIG and remove those items from launching automagically when you boot your pc. This not only helps you at system shutdown, but it also gives your pc new life and things may actually run faster. PC's out of the box are loaded with bloatware that you have no idea is running and taking away system resources from you. Lastly, McAfee and Norton's antivirus utilities have turned into nothing but bloatware. You can have a machine with nothing but McAfee running, and it will likely tie up 50% or more of your available system resources. I finally removed all of McAfee and Norton and I'm running AVG from grisoft. I've had it on my XP and VISTA systems for 2 years now, and I'm quite happy. On a side note, make sure that you don't have McAfee and a trial copy of Norton's trying to run at the same time. These compete for the same resources and can give you undesirable results.

short_stuff

jbdawson · 09-26-2008, 10:24 PM

I have two XP systems that are up to date with all updates including service pack 3 and they sometimes do this. I just ignore it as long as they reboot and run.

chuckster57 · 09-26-2008, 10:33 PM

If you can..post the message you get at shutdown. Sometimes its a "background task server" Once you have the message there should be a "details" tab to click.. write down the entire line and post. MSCONFIG can be a VERY useful tool in the right hands. For what it's worth I use SYSTEM SUITE 8 PRO from avantquest..have had system suite since 2000 and LOVE it.. many utilities to keep your machine up and running (fast)

Rick M · 09-27-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbdawson

I have two XP systems that are up to date with all updates including service pack 3 and they sometimes do this. I just ignore it as long as they reboot and run.

Not to high jack this thread but I must ask, how are you getting along with SP3? I have held off on installing it because of past history with service packs from MS.

jbdawson · 09-28-2008, 02:59 PM

Both XP machines upgraded without a hitch and, so far, it has been transparent. In fact I have an HP laptop with Vista Home Premium. I had heard bad things about HP drivers and the Vista SP1 upgrade. I waited until Microsoft downloaded the upgrade patch automatically (I allow down load but no actual upgrade until I say go). After some hard thought I decided what the hell and let it go. Same result. Vista upgraded without a problem. The vista SP1 upgrade took probably 30 minutes plus but the XP SP3 upgrades went considerably faster than my memory of the SP 2 upgrade. Needless to say I was on pins and needles until the final reboot and test but all is fine.

Larry S. · 09-28-2008, 11:01 PM

I apologize for not reporting back. I have been very busy and have had very little time for the computers.

I ran a full scan for intrusions using Panda Internet Security 2008 on the machine with the least problems and it reported a clean slate. Still has the same shut down issue occasionally. One of the most common programs to not respond on shut down is Centinalvxd. No idea what that is. Another is my Earthlink Toolbar. If I shut it down before doing a Windows shutdown I have fewer problems. I suspect this issue is a timing problem and I will have to live with it.

I'm having other issues on the second computer. Can't get Panda to run a scan. Panda technical help first said I had a remnant of another protection program blocking Panda but I can't find it. Waiting for more help from Panda. Panda does do its daily automatic updates and appears to be working, just can't open Panda to run a scan or do other maintenance. Whatever is going on, the computer is working fine, even after I have to manually power down with the power button.

I will take notes on the screens that come up when I have problems and post them when I can. Thanks for all the help, so far.

chuckster57 · 09-28-2008, 11:06 PM

SysOpt Forums - Centinel VxD help

chuckster57 · 09-28-2008, 11:12 PM

If it is a trojan and panda is NOT detecting it. Try using what I use. It costs a little bit but I watched it clean a trojan off my sysem that TREND MICRO couldn't and it cleaned my friends of 580+ virus'
Adware, Spyware, Popups - They invade your privacy and harm your PC. Protect Yourself with NoAdware!

4micaman · 09-28-2008, 11:25 PM

No worries Larry. Figured you were just busy OR the boxes died totally... ACK!

I've started a google quest and relatively quickly found that the Centinal Vxd is part of panda itself. Perhaps you could unplug the boxes from the WWW and do a quick uninstall/install of Panda.

Centinal vxd - Google Search

Just to confirm, are you certain of the spelling here... Centinal with a "C" and not an "S"?

As for the Earthlink tool bar, it should never be a timing issue. It's a buggy issue if any issue at all...

From this last report of yours, it could be totally dealing with Panda. Are you running more than one AVG/Spyware/Adware pieces?

FWIW, sometimes when you remove (uninstall) software, remnants are left behind (think of cached files). After removing a program, I'd look in your programs folder for a folder with that name... and manually delete it (nuke it) from your HDD before reinstalling again. Be sure to reboot also, prior to reinstalling.

May help if you hop on one foot, pat your head, rub your belly and sing God Bless America during the reboot. Just kidding!

chuckster57 · 09-28-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4micaman

FWIW, sometimes when you remove (uninstall) software, remnants are left behind (think of cached files). After removing a program, I'd look in your programs folder for a folder with that name... and manually delete it (nuke it) from your HDD before reinstalling again. Be sure to reboot also, prior to reinstalling.

May help if you hop on one foot, pat your head, rub your belly and sing God Bless America during the reboot. Just kidding!

Lots of programs (norton/symantec is BAD) will leave files in your registry. If you are comfortable with REGEDIT, run it to be sure ALL refrences are removed. just be VERRRY CAREFUL when your in there. Back it up BEFORE you start messing with it so you can put it back if you have to.

4micaman · 09-28-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

SysOpt Forums - Centinel VxD help

Nice snag there Chuckster!

quoted from post # 14 on chucksters link:

Quote:

Good call on the antivirus improper shutdown.. I'd love to know how you figured it out.. must've been a different search engine than the ones I used!!

Removed my AV, shutdown... no probs. Rebooted, reinstalled AV, re-shutdown... still no more problem with Centinel vxd. virtual driver! what'll they think of next?! I'm just astounded that that information just didn't come up anywhere I looked..

Many thanks, many praises to BpB, Direct1 and Rob R.

Learn new things everyday, and I thank those who teach me..

After you remove panda, look for the folder in your program folder (whatever/however it's referred to when you uninstall it), reboot, cross your fingers and finally reinstall panda followed by a quick scan.

I'd seriously throw in the unplug from the WWW while doing this, for good measure.

4micaman · 09-28-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Lots of programs (norton/symantec is BAD) will leave files in your registry. If you are comfortable with REGEDIT, run it to be sure ALL refrences are removed. just be VERRRY CAREFUL when your in there. Back it up BEFORE you start messing with it so you can put it back if you have to.

Roger that!

Windows Registry is equal to working with Electricity. If you don't know what you're doing... don't do it. The reality of it is, if you know what you want to do in the registry, google it first. Once you find a good source of info, print instructions and follow them to a "T".

WR is also equal to doing a "sudo rm -rf /path/to/fileordirectory" in Linux... you could be on the floor kicking and screaming very quickly. I know, trust me! Lost an entire collection of music and movies by simply not paying attention and/or acting in haste!