Windows XP will not turn off from Start Menu

What is the make and model of your computer...dell...gateway..sony....hp?

Compaq Presario.

Compaq Presario SR1280UK to be exact .. thanks.

There's not much info in your post, but you can provide us the type of information needed to better assist you by first reading this.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

You can also try these troubleshooting tips to see i they solve your issue.

http://www.compaq.com/country/index.html

Let us know if you have any further information.

Hi dagoatsdead,

 

Adding to the suggestions provided, you may try the following.

 

First lets check if any system files are corrupt. To do so, run an SFC (System File Checker) scan. 

 

a.        Click Start, All programs and then Accessories. Click Command Prompt.

b.       In the Command Prompt window type “sfc /scannow” (without quotes) and then press Enter.

c.        After the scan has completed, close the command prompt window, restart the computer and check for the issue.

 

For additional information, you may refer the following article:

Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker (Sfc.exe) .

 

If the above method does not help, create a new profile to check for the issue. if it works, copy the data from the old account to the new one.

 

Follow this article to see on how to do this.

How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile in Windows XP

an ungraceful shutdown can cause problems also and you should run checkdisk.

Do you have the recovery console installed?

If not do you have your installation cd that you can run the recovery console from?

you can use cmd prompt: start>run>cmd     when cmd prompt opens type  chkdsk c: /r  press enter.

notice space between the c and k, and between the : and /

you will receive a msg saying volume must be locked and do you want to run at next restart, say yes then press enter.

but if you can run it from the recovery console. there you can run it over again without restarting, since you are having shutdown problems, and again until no errors are found and fixed.

You do not describe symptoms consistent with a need to run the System File Checker, but you can sure try it if you want.

If the Microsoft engaged Forum Moderator "expert" suggestion to run SFC fixes your issue, I will send you or your favorite charity $100 American.

Also note that if you do not have a genuine bootable XP installation CD with Service Pack 3 on it, (most people don't), SFC is going to complain - alot so get ready for a lot of complaining.

Please provide additional information about your system as best you can:

If the problem just started recently, keep in mind that MS updates come out the second Tuesday of every month (Patch Tuesday) so would you say the problem start before or after last Tuesday (9/11/2012)?

If after, do you recall accepting any MS hardware driver updates - video, audio, network drivers...  Accepting these driver updates from MS is generally not a good idea.

Do you have the problematic Windows Desktop Search installed?

Describe your current antivirus and anti malware situation:  McAfee, Symantec, Norton, Spybot, AVG, Avira!, MSE, Panda, Trend Micro, CA, Defender, ZoneAlarm, PC Tools, Comodo, etc.

Was the issue preceded by a power interruption, aborted restart, or improper shutdown?  (this includes plug pulling, power buttons, removing the battery, etc.)

Does the afflicted system have a working CD/DVD drive (internal or external)?

Do you have a genuine bootable XP installation CD that is the same Service Pack as your installed Service Pack (this is not the same as any Recovery CDs that came with your system)?

If the system used to work properly, what do you think might have changed since the last time it did work properly?

Now provide a few more gory details:

Click Start, Run and in the box enter:

msinfo32

Click OK, and when the System Summary info appears, click Edit, Select All (Ctrl-A), Copy (Ctrl-C) and then paste (Ctrl-V) the information back here in your next reply.

For video device and driver information, expand the Components, click Display, click Edit, Select All, Copy and then paste the information back here.

There will be some personal information (like System Name and User Name), and whatever appears to be private information to you, just delete it from the pasted information.

This will minimize back and forth Q&A and eliminate guesswork.