Solved Unable to shut down computer without it freezing

[laughgenerator]

I've been having troubles with my HP Pavilion dv5 laptop for a couple years because when it goes to sleep, it locks and will not respond to anything. I've had to force a shut down by pulling out the battery every time it goes into sleep mode.

Now, when I try to turn off my computer it says "Shutting down" for hours until it goes to sleep and locks. I haven't been able to shut down my computer normally for about a month, and I'm afraid excessive hibernation and forced shut downs will cause harm in the long run.

Does anyone know how to help me? I checked the "Performance Information and Tools" advanced options to see if there was a program making it not shut down, but I found nothing. Please help me!

Thanks! I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Pauly]

Can you boot and shutdown safe mode?
Have you checked event viewer for critical errors?
Tried SFC? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[laughgenerator]

I'm afraid I'm not very computer-literate, so it's taking me a while to figure out your questions. Sorry!

I just checked the critical errors and it lists every time I forced a shut down. "Event 41 Kernal-Power: The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly."

I'm still working on your other questions!

 

[laughgenerator]

Can you boot and shutdown safe mode?
Have you checked event viewer for critical errors?
Tried SFC? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

I can't figure out your first question. I don't really know how to get into safe mode, to be honest, nonetheless figure out how to shut it down.

I already said the critical errors were simply that the computer didn't shut down correctly.

I tried SFC but it says it cannot start the repair service.

My computer isn't under warranty anymore, but I'm study abroad in a month. Do you think that it be best for me to just pay whatever money needed for a specialist to fix my problem?

 

[Pauly]

Event 41 is unexpected loss of power because you forced off with power button, ignore that, and no i wouldnt part with any money yet often these things can be sorted

As soon as you see HP logo start tapping F8 this should take you to windows menu where you can select to boot into safe mode see if it shuts down ok after entering safe mode which it should then we can start narrowing it down a bit

PS have you tried turning off sleep mode as a temp to see if it helps

 

[AddRAM]

Have you considered doing a fresh install ?

It may solve everything, but keep trying Pauly`s suggestions.

 

[laughgenerator]

I'm not sure what a "fresh install" is, but I'm assuming I need the installation disks for Windows 7. I'm afraid I have no clue where those are. :/

Also, I just shut down while in safe mode with no problem!

 

[Pauly]

OK safe mode is basically a stripped down version of windows running only basic drivers/services etc so this tells us that it is probably an issue with software thats been installed the best way IMO to track it down would be to enter msconfig (click start type msconfig press enter) click startup tab and deselect everything (temporarily) then click apply exit and reboot then see if it will shutdown
If it does not re-enter msconfig click on services tab, tick hide all MS services box then apply exit and reboot see if it works

If one of these does work then you can go back in and start turning stuff back on until the problem comes back

edit, i didnt make it clear it will need one reboot for changes to take effect then another reboot to see if it works

 

[laughgenerator]

Thank you so much! My computer turns off now.

Only one problem, my touchpad stopped scrolling. I disabled the "Synaptics Point Device Driver" and enabled it again, but it still won't let me scroll.

I really appreciate all of your help. It is making my life much easier!

 

[gregrocker]

Look over these steps for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which explain how to get a superior install without the HP bloatware which is the worst in the industry, and corrupts and throttles Win7 from it's native state.

At the minimum I'd Clean Up Factory Bloatware

 

[laughgenerator]

Thanks everyone! Your advice has been amazing.