Community Newsletter: Q&A: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it?
- 9/12/08 9:06 AM
Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it?
by download_fiend - 9/6/08 10:57 PM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
1) Backup your entire system and verify the contents of the backup to the best of your ability.
2) Reboot your system and make sure nothing is running as much possible. If you have Windows XP, go to Start->Run and type in “taskmgr” (without quotes) and press Enter. Click on the Performance tab. Your CPU usage should be 5% or less and your PF Usage should be 400MB or less. If either or both are higher, check your startup configuration to see if anything can be eliminated.
3) Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and install current Service Packs from Microsoft for your version for Windows. Reboot. If you are prompted to install one or more SP’s, reboot and check shut down performance after everything is stable. If you have a valid licensed copy of the OS, consider changing from Windows Updates to Microsoft Updates. This will possibly help identify hardware driver updates which can help reduce hardware related issues. This step is to increase Operating System integrity.
4) If you have a good Anti-Virus and Spyware package installed and licensed, get the latest updates and run a manual scan of ALL FILES. I have seen virus/spyware hide in TXT files, so make sure you scan ALL FILES. This can take from 30m to 30h depending on the number of files you have, and the overall speed of your PC. This step hopefully identifies and eliminates most viruses and spyware.
5) If you don't have a good anti-virus package license, download the free AVG anti-virus software at http://free.avg.com/ww.download?prd=afe. After installation is complete, run an Update to get current virus signatures, launch a manual scan for ALL FILES and scan the entire PC. Depending on how many files you have and how fast your PC is, this can take anywhere from 30m to 30h.
6) If you engage in a lot of file swapping (Limewire, Kazaa, NAMBLA, etc.), consider running a spyware scanner such as Ad- Aware. It is free and can sometimes catch spyware that others miss. http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2008/3000-8022_4-10045910.html. This also can take from 10m to 10h, depending on …
7) If you have Windows XP, go to Start->Run and type in “cleanmgr” (without the quotes) and press Enter. If you have multiple drives, select C: drive in the next dialogue box. If you only have one drive, the analysis for your main drive will start. If this is the first time you have run this Microsoft utility, it may need 10m to 10h. Once the analysis is complete, it will ask you which FILES TO DELETE. Check all boxes and click OK. It will confirm the actions you requested so click OK on the confirmation dialogue also. The cleanup phase can take anywhere from 10m to 30h depending on the number of files, speed of your PC, and the last time you have run this utility. This step will eliminate most temporary files your OS generates over time and improve OS performance in some cases.
8) Open up Windows Explorer and right click on your main drive/partition. Click on Properties, and then click on the Tools tab. Then click on Check Now in the Error-checking section. Then enable options such as “Automatically fix file system errors” and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors” and then click on Start. This will again take from 30m to 30h depending on … Additionally, you may be prompted to “schedule a disk check to occur the next time you restart the computer”, click YES. This particular step of CHKDSK needs to occur in single user mode and therefore is conducted during a reboot. Again, this will add anywhere from 10m to 10h to your reboot (one-time only) depending on your HD size and PC speed. This step will help check your HD media integrity.
9) Download, for free, and run CCleaner for both files and especially registry. Run each type of cleanup two times. http://www.ccleaner.com/download . This step will help reduce trash files and also increase registry integrity.
10) Download, for free, and run Auslogics Registry Defrag. http://www.download.com/Auslogics-Registry-Defrag/3000-2094_4-10678033.html . To ensure maximum performance, make sure all unrelated applications are closed during this and all steps. This may require a reboot. This step will help create a contiguous registry tree.
11) Download, for free, and run Auslogics Disk Defrag. http://www.download.com/Auslogics-Disk-Defrag/3000-2094_4-10567503.html. To reduce the amount of time, make sure to set the Priority to HIGHEST in the Settings menu, prior to initiating the defragmentation. This step will help defragment most of the files on your hard disk.
12) After the above steps are complete, you should have at least 20% free space available on your primary hard drive partition. For example, if you have a 65G C: drive, at this point, you should have at least 13G free space available on your C: drive. If at this point, you have less than 20% free space available, consider removing applications and files you have not needed or used in the last 12 months.
13) Test your system and see if shut down performance has improved any. If not, download, for free, and run User Profile Hive Cleanup Service from Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b286e6d-8912-4e18-b570-42470e2f3582&DisplayLang=en After installation, you have actually run it manually, so follow the directions indicated on the web page carefully. This step will help check and improve your user profile hive.
14) If the problem still exists, create a new User account on your PC. Make sure this new User account does not have any type of administrative privileges. Completely shut down your PC and wait 2 minutes. Turn your PC on, log into the new user and initiate a shutdown. If this shutdown completes in a timely manner, it raises suspicion of your normal user account. You may want to consider deleting your normal user account and reestablishing it. If you select this route, make sure you click on YES when prompted for deletion of all User files.
On the other hand, if the shutdown for the new user also takes a long time, it points to either a problem with your Operating System or PC Hardware. To eliminate possible OS related issues, one option is to reinstall your OS from scratch (yuck). If after doing this, shut down issues continue to persist, you can be confident the problem is Hardware related. At this point, you should consider taking your system into a PC shop for HW analysis.
fix
by fisherperson - 9/7/08 1:36 AM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
use registry fix First fix registry. Then use disk cleaner. Use revco un-installer's windows cleaner to delete un-needed stuff. Defrag Hard Drive. Go to registry fix create a new back-up. Re-Run registry fix to make sure no errors. If not fixed do a spyware and anti-virus full scan might have migrating spyware.
Replace Virtual Memory with Real Memory to speed up shutdown
by depage - 9/7/08 5:45 AM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've used a marvelous variety of solutions, including limiting the cache size of the browswers, but only got marginal improvements. Seeing a free day, I managed to upgrade the memory in my XP computer from 1 gig to 3 gigs, expecting an overall speed improvement. What I got was nearly instantaneous shutdown, because all of the loading into memory of all the virtual, paged memory space no longer had to be done!
This also improved startup of Word processors.
If you decide to do this, go to www.crucial.com and check to see what kind of memory your machine takes, and how difficult it is to expand. It has both databases for known machines and a scan program that asks your motherboard what it has. Very nice. In my case, I had an open pair of slots, and could just add in another 2 gigabytes to get 3. 3 is about all one can use without a 64 bit operating system. For XP, I am told 2 gigs is enough for good function, and for Vista, 3 gigs.
Good luck!
How to virtually eliminate shutdown hang in WinXP
by Brawly44 - 9/7/08 9:06 AM In reply to: Replace Virtual Memory with Real Memory to speed up shutdown by depageAdmittedly, I have not read every thread to this post, so if this answer has been posted - my apologies.
Everyone has given very good advice with regard to maintenance in order to keep your PC running great and efficiently. That said; I won't take up another thread repeating the same advice.
WinXP has an annoying bug that I don't miss since switching to Vista. It occurs during shutdown where the system seems to hang, you may even receive error messages indicating that a certain application has yet to shutdown. This is a safety measure in the operating system to prevent the user from losing work, files or possibly corrupting/damaging code in any particular application.
Microsoft being aware of the problem developed a fix or "patch" for this problem which can be found on the Microsoft download site. The name of the patch is "User Hive Profile Cleanup Service". Download and install this patch from this link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?pocId=&freetext=User%20Hive%20Profile&DisplayLang=en as it is specifically designed to immediately shutdown any running applications when the user shuts down the PC. It is not a 100% fix, but is very effective at eliminating this very annoying problem. Hope this helps.
Try this!
by BxVelocity - 9/7/08 9:23 AM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I went through the first page of posts
1. I found the "press the power button" the best, because that it what I mostly do but I always assumed it hurt the OS
2. Virus scan and spyware scan is also good
3. Defrag your drives
BUT, the best option, and the option I use, and have no problem with start up or shut down over the past 2 years, is simply:
The next time you buy a computer, try switching to a mac. You must have read tons of stuff about the topic, but take it from me,there is absolutely no problem in booting up or shutting down a mac, it has never stalled on me and even after 2 years, and a full hard drive, I have never had trouble switching in off, or on.
So, try THIS solution, it might sound radical, but it will be far more durable than any of the others and far less frustrating!
so long to shut down
by myint thein500 - 9/7/08 9:36 AM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
hello
please go to gpedit.msc in runbox,computer configuration/windows settings/security settings/local polcies/security options, at
Shutdown; clear virtual memory pagefile,you make it disable.
may u be happy
Possibly a simple solution?
by Old Dog New Tricks - 9/7/08 1:34 PM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Victoria,
Just too many replies to read them all, so sorry if someone has already suggested the following. Since you state that your PC used to shut down swiftly, then its quite possible that all you need to do is validate just one registry key. This key could easily have been automatically changed for any manner of reasons - dont even worry as to why. So here's how to proceed:
FIRSTLY - A CAUTION - GO SLOWLY & CHECK EVERYTHING CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU AMEND ANY REGISTY KEY.
1 - Click on MENU START, RUN & enter REGEDIT
2 - Navigate - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3 - In the right hand window, look for the key: "PowerDownAfterShutdown"
4 - If the key doesn't exist (unlikely so look carefully), create it:
Right click in a free zone on the right hand side of the window, choose NEW, then DWORD, then type the name (PowerDownAfterShutdown) without spaces
5 - If the value of PowerDownAfterShutdown is 0, change it to 1.
To do so, right click on the value 0, choose Modify, type 1, then click OK
6 - Close the register, restart your PC and (hopefully) watch the difference in shutdown speed!
If there is no difference, you do not need to put the registry key back to 0.
If there is no difference, please note that any of the following could be the cause of the slow shutdown:
1 - One of your drivers isn't fully compatible. eg:- some of the older logitech drivers for the keyboard or mouse. (Replace with a generic of Microsoft).
2 - A program you have downloaded (or was pre-installed as part of an OEM) isn't compatible.In particular, check that Roxio CD, Easy CD & Direct CD are up to date.
3 - An accessory (printer, webcam etc) isn't compatible. Check them one by one.(Just uninstall them & see if there is a difference).
4 - Your BIOS isn't up to date. If you don't know - DONT TOUCH - get someone who knows.
5 - If you've installed additional memory, validate that it is to the same spec.
6 - Your RAM may simply be insufficient, so increase it if you can. If you can't, either accept the slow shutdown - or take off some of the downloaded software (that you got from CNet).
I am assuming that you habitually "clean" your PC - Defrag etc & all the other good stuff I've read in this thread (particularly CCleaner).
Good Luck, Peter
Clarification please
by achoquette - 9/8/08 12:16 PM In reply to: Possibly a simple solution? by Old Dog New TricksLine 2: Navigate
On my Window XP there is no Winlogon folder in the Current Version folder.
Can this DWORD be created in another folder?
Try this
by Old Dog New Tricks - 9/9/08 4:12 AM In reply to: Clarification please by achoquetteAssuming you are running SP2. (Dont wish to be rude but assuming you are clicking on the + sign to see inside the parent folder). When you get to "Current Version" on the left hand side of the registry panel, click on the +sign, then look lower down on the left hand side (ignore the right hand side of the panel) and you should see "Winlogon".
Now click on the name "Winlogon" and look at the menu on the right hand side. Hopefully, you will now see "PowerdownAfterShutdown".
If you still cant find it (???) try running a search on the file names "Winlogon" or "Powerdown".
Let me know if you still cant find it.
Solution: replace it with a Mac
by tomachi - 9/7/08 4:01 PM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
A fresh install of Mac OS X 10.5 shuts down in about 4 seconds. My machine does it in about 6 seconds flat. My XP PC on the other hand can take much much longer.
ok
by torticollis - 9/7/08 4:42 PM In reply to: Solution: replace it with a Mac by tomachidon't rub it in not everyone can affored Mac!
But that's not what she asked!?!
by tstar21 - 9/9/08 12:26 PM In reply to: Solution: replace it with a Mac by tomachiThis question is not about debating the merits and failures of two completely different code-based computer systems. This user wants to know what she can do to speed up the shutdown time of her "currently owned PC". What relevance does Buy A Mac have to do with it? There are actually people out there who don't mind doing a little reading to find advice on how to fix a problem, rather than just throwing it out and starting over elsewhere.
If the question had been "My door used to close just fine, but since winter came and I have been using it more and more, It seems to take forever to close. What can I do to fix it?"
Would you have responded with "Just move out, find a new building that doesn't have doors"
Mac, Windows and Linux all have a place. Please try not to confuse which one we are currently in.
Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it?
by yellatdr - 9/7/08 8:17 PM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I was not only having shutdown problems but startup and other problems as well. Since I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop, I purchased, downloaded, and installed the Dell PC Tuneup software.
Since doing so, my free hard drive space increased by about 9 GBytes and all of the software as well as startup and shutdown work so much faster!!!
Thanks for Dell PC Tuneup!
Ron
How 2 maintain ur PC
by dhanrajagrawal - 9/7/08 10:39 PM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi,
After exprimenting a lot I have some good technique to maintained the PC, few of them as below:
1) Ur system drive (C:), must have 30% free space
2) Keep ur paging file on seperate drive instead of "C:"
3) Start--> Run --> Enter "Services.msc" --- U will find services runing on ur pc, stop and disabled the unwanted services. (For help see google)
4) There are many programs start/load at system startup, remove them by editing registry or download "CC Cleaner", which is fully trusted and free.
5) Use Sygate Personal Firewal, for Internet
*) Defrag ur C drive
*) Clean-up ur c drive
*) Use CC Cleaner to clean-up more
6) From last 2 yrs, I am using my PC, without any anti-virus s/w
7) There are some more tricks, through which u can keep ur pc upto date.
Please work on above u will get 90% result....if you need further help let me know
Dhanraj
am not sure why shut down is so much of a problem
by gbswales - 9/8/08 1:30 AM In reply to: Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I usually shut my computer down and walk away - it closes eventually and to me it is better to use the shutdown time to install updates, run virus checks and do any of the things that take time.
Startup, and having it running fast when you are using it is far more important - if this is too slow then you do have problems.
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