Computer won't shut down

[virgin]

When I try to shut down, my computer goes through all the motions which ends with the 'Your computer is shutting down' screen, or some such words.
But it doesn't!

Switching off using the main switch is no problem, but waiting for it to scan the disk for errors when I next switch it on because it wasn't shut down properly is a bore.

Do I need to change any settings?
Any ideas from you wizz-kids?

OS = Windows 98 SE

[Just an other number]

The easy answer to your second paragraph is 'hit enter' and stop the boring scan.
But this doesn't really answer the question - come on you experts..

[ORAC]

Win98 Shutdown Problems (http://www.nmt.edu/~armiller/win98shutdown.htm#SEC2) or Win98 Shutdown problems (2) (http://www.geocities.com/~budallen/windows_98_shutdown.html)

or

If your system hangs every time, you're probably running Win98. Win98 uses a Fast Shutdown process whereby it sends a shutdown signal to all running apps and services, and then proceeds without waiting for a response. Some apps and subsystems respond too slowly or require an additional step before completely shutting down. This can foul up the shutdown sequence and result in a hang. The solution is to disable Fast Shutdown. To do that, run MSCONFIG.EXE, click Advanced and check Disable Fast Shutdown. Click OK twice and reboot. Win98 will now shut down in Win95's slower but sometimes more reliable fashion.

Some implementations of Win98's ACPI hang if you disable Fast Shutdown. This is a bug for which Microsoft is developing a patch (see http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q196/0/08.asp). If disabling Fast Shutdown makes things worse, put them back the way they were by repeating the steps above, unchecking Disable Fast Shutdown and rebooting. If your original shutdown problem recurs, your only option is to wait for the patch and try disabling Fast Shutdown again once you install it.

[BlueRobin]

Happens - often the problem fails to disappear, even after you've applied the patches and fixes.

Sometimes you just have to press the OFF switch on the PC. That's what they're for ;)

[BahrainLad]

This is a bug.........sorry, 'feature' of Windows 98 and there is a patch for it:

MS Support Page (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;238096)

Basically, I would follow the link about downloading the Shutdown Supplement. If that fails to work, I suggest you look in your anti-virus settings and uncheck the option about scanning floppies before shutdown. If for example you have a laptop with detachable floppy drive, this could be the source of your problems.

[WideBodiedEng]

I too have this problem. My "old" machine is networked to the "New" machine. If I try to shut it down it does as above. However if I shut down the new machine, the old one works perfectly!! So in my case it seems to be the network link.
I'll try the MSCONFIG tip but I can't prove it as I think I fried my network card during efforts to remove bugbear. However it is shutting down perfectly without the network at present.

[sky9]

I had this problem and solved it by holding the "off" button in for a full 5 seconds.