rundll32 ?! I need a Tech Wizard!

[Gentleman Aviator]

Terribly sorry to be a Biff:

1. Whenever computer (Win 98) is shut down it gets to my wallpaper & freezes.

2. Ctrl, Alt, Delete reveals that the only thing running is rundll32.

3. From there, the only way to shut the now completely frozen computer down is to pull the plug from the socket!

Any ideas as to how to solve the problwm?

Many thanks.

GA

[PaperTiger]

Could be any one of a number of things.
I assume Ctrl/Alt/Del a second time has no effect ?
Try reading this page http://www.911networks.com/win9x_shutdown.htm

[spannersatcx]

If you haven't already done so, try installing the W98(SE) shut down patch CLICK HERE (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q239/8/87.asp?LN=EN-GB&SD=gn&FR=0) It also gives a link to W98 Shutdown trouble shooting.

[DireStraits]

Gentleman Aviator,

I have exactly the same problem. Mine gets hung up on 'Vshwin32' about 90% of the time, and 'rundll32' the other 10%.

I'll check out the sites mentioned above. Hate to have to keep shutting down by pulling the plug so frequently.

Thanks for bringing it up.

[Sensible]

I'm not your tech wizard but, Ihad a similar problem, turned out it was the sound card of all things, only found when pulling out all the bits from the motherboard and removing the drivers etc one by one. The offending beast was a cmi 880 from memory, loaded a new driver from www.driverguide.com (http://www.driverguide.com) and all was happy until I purchased a new computer.

[DireStraits]

Sensible

Isn't it funny that you mention that. Every so often the internal speakers emit staticy sounds when various sounds are played. It doesn't happen all the time, but every so often the static is there.

My computer is a COMPAQ laptop, and I'll have the sound card checked out while it's still on warranty.

Thanks for that.

[Gentleman Aviator]

Thankyou for the kind responses. It is nice to know that there is more than one of us suffering!

I took spannersatcx advive, downloaded the patch. All seems well now.

Once again, many thanks.

All I need to do now is get an airline job when I leave the RAF next Spring - might be a tad more complex!

[Tinstaafl]

The Win98 CD contains a power management troubleshooting tools 'pmtshoot.exe'.

This tool will monitor the shutdown/standby process & log what software is causing the problem. It can disable the trouble maker too, I seem to recall.

I've found it very useful on my laptop.