Shutdown Issue

[PwnFrnzy]

Whenever I'm finished with my computer for the day, I shutdown my PC. But recently a strange thing has been happening when I shutdown the system. It flickers between the shutdown screen and desktop screen then flickers more with the desktop screen being replaced with the "These processes are preventing Windows from Shutting Down" screen.
Any reason why this is happening? It's starting to worry me.

 

[gregrocker]

Those warnings should quickly timeout unless something is still open that could cost you lost work like Office, which will not timeout. To avoid them close all open programs.

Is the flickering screen something new or is it the flickering which accompanies the warnings?

 

[PwnFrnzy]

I do close all open programs before shutting down, the flickering started happening around a week ago, when it shuts down and the flickering occurs, I try to see what is on the "These programs are preventing Windows from Shutting Down" screen as it flickers, but I see nothing listed.

 

[gregrocker]

Run SFC -SCANNOW Command

Check the logs to see if anything is revealed at time of hang, and run through these other troubleshooting steps

 

[Mike Connor]

A program has probably changed a registry setting that is causing your hard drive to "thrash" on shutdown.

Start] [Run] [Regedit] Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below. Data Type: REG_DWORD [Dword Value] // Value Name: ClearPageFileAtShutdown Setting for Value Data: [0 = Clear Page File Disabled / 1 = Clear Page File Enabled] Exit Registry and Reboot

Also, you can make the system shut down faster with these tweaks;


Fast Shutdown Faster Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 and Windows Vista » My Digital Life

As always, registry tweaks must be made with all due care.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[PwnFrnzy]

@GregRocker::
SFC /Scannow didn't find anything.

@Mike Connor::
Are you telling me to modify a registry file?

 

[Shootist]

@GregRocker::
SFC /Scannow didn't find anything.

@Mike Connor::
Are you telling me to modify a registry file?

Yes that is what he is saying.

 

[Mike Connor]

@GregRocker::
SFC /Scannow didn't find anything.

@Mike Connor::
Are you telling me to modify a registry file?

Yes, but it seems that the formatting didn't work in my post. I have searched around for the tweak and found it here;

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/32317-very-slow-shutdown.html#post334909

This is what the key looks like;



With the value of ClearPageFileAtShutdown set to 0

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[PwnFrnzy]

If I may ask though, what is the reason for the OS to clear the page file during shutdown?
Is not clearing the pagefile bad for the OS?
And looking at the picture, would it be safe to change "DisablePagingExecutive" from 1 to 0 on my machine?

 

[gregrocker]

I'd hold off on any registry edits until more troubleshooting is done.

Can you System Restore to a point you know is before the problem began? System Restore

What changes were made to your system about the time it began?

Update your Display driver to latest. Enable hardware auto-updating then check optional Windows Updates: Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware, next check the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer and display adapter.

Can you get a video snip with your phone, etc. of the flickering you describe?

 

[PwnFrnzy]

It actually started after updating my GeForce 6200 Graphics Driver.
I'll try to get a video snip.

 

[gregrocker]

In Device Manager, on the Display adapter Driver tab, Roll it back to previous version to see if flickering stops.

You have access to all installed drivers on the Driver tab>Update driver>Browse>Let Me Pick option.

You may even have a newer driver from manufacturer's Support Downloads webpage or optional Windows Updates. If not, using a previous driver is a solution to such issues.

 

[PwnFrnzy]

Update: I rolled-back the display drivers and will report back of flickering tomorrow.

 

[PwnFrnzy]

Thank you GregRocker for helping me out, it figures that the display driver update was causing the screen to flicker during shutdown.

 

[gregrocker]

Glad it helped.

Is it the latest driver? How did you get it?

Have you enabled hardware auto-updating then checked several times to see if you have drivers cued in Optional Updates? http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...mmended-drivers-and-updates-for-your-hardware

Have you checked the manufacturer's Support Downloads webpage for your model to see what the driver choices are?

Knowing for sure if there is a newer driver, or if not that you cannot use the latest driver (by reinstalling to test it again) will give you certainty on the issue.

 

[PwnFrnzy]

I downloaded the driver from the Nvidia website, it was the most current version. But knowing of the newest version's bug with my shutdown issue I'll most likely leave my driver as-is.