Microsoft offers an "Add-On" Service, called User Profile Hive
Cleanup. This assists XP with normal closing/shutdown of apps
and services before shutting down/power-off. The download is
found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en
In lieu of that, I would check your System & Application event
logs. Look for Red Icons that denote errors, clicking on the icon
brings up the details box that will have the Error ID # and a short
description of the error.
Event Viewer is accessible by,
Start, Run (Type) EventVwr.Msc [Enter]


"Chas B" <ChasB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1E3A5E2A-DD9E-44C1-BC48-CD242855E875@microsoft.com...
> My laptop will not shutdown without pressing and holding the power button
> down. It will not automatically restart after program updates. In the
> safe
> mode the system shutdown fine. I have tried many things without any
> success.