Member Avatar for thezukiman

I have this problem on several XP systems on my network...does anyone know what might be causing this...when you go to log off it does nothing...but if you go back and do it again it does it...same with restarting or shutting down...I would be greatly appreciative if someone knows a fix to this...

thezukiman!

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Given the troubleshooting already done by , and , the symptom (first Log Off/Restart/Shutdown click appears to do nothing, second click completes it) points less to a single Windows bug and more to something blocking or stalling the logoff sequence: a shell extension, a logoff script, a hooked process/service or a corrupted Winlogon value.

Try these focused checks in order. 1) Test in Safe Mode and with a fresh local administrator account: if logoff works there the problem is a third‑party item or a corrupted profile. 2) Do a clean boot (Run msconfig -> Selective startup -> disable startup items; Services tab -> Hide all Microsoft services -> disable the rest -> restart) and re-enable items in small groups to isolate the culprit. 3) Check the Event Viewer (Run eventvwr.msc) in Application/System logs for errors at the time you tried to log off.

Check Winlogon and logoff scripts. Open regedit and verify HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon contains the expected values: Shell = explorer.exe and Userinit = C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe, (note the trailing comma). Also inspect Group Policy or local scripts at User Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Scripts (Logoff) — a script that never finishes will hang logoff.

When third‑party hooks are suspected, use tools such as Autoruns/Sysinternals or ShellExView to disable non‑Microsoft shell extensions and startup entries (disable, reboot, test). If antivirus was installed and later removed, use the vendor's removal/cleanup tool to remove leftover drivers. Also check for open network drives/printers or stuck applications in Task Manager. Back up the registry before edits and run sfc /scannow if system files may be damaged. If nothing helps, migrate to a new user profile or consider upgrading from unsupported Windows XP for a longer‑term fix.

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Member Avatar for marceta

i have the exact same prob! sometimes mine will not turn/log off at all, forcing me to press down the power switch!

Member Avatar for Laser

Are you using Norton Antivirus 2003?

Member Avatar for marceta

i used to use norton 2004, it sucks though so i uninstalled! it didnt work with/without norton!

Member Avatar for thezukiman

we are using Norton Corporate Antivirus..version 8.1 I believe or possible the version just above that... does norton have anything to do with it you think?

Member Avatar for marceta

i used to think so, but i doubt it, after i uninstalled norton nothing changed!

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