Shutdown Problems
Many things could cause Windows 98 to hang when you try and shutdown. You may even experience the computer restarts instead of shutting down. I have listed below what I believe are the most common causes. If you know of any other common causes that should be added please contact us.

  1. If you are running Win98SE install the Shutdown Supplement provided by Microsoft.
    Another patch is the Shutdown Supplement for Mapped Drives. Even if you are not using mapped drives I recommend this patch as it has helped out others.
  2. Check your anti-virus program settings. If you have a setting in your antivirus program to scan the floppy at shutdown then disable that.
  3. A damaged exit sound file may also be the culprit.
    1. To see if this is the problem click on Start, point to Settings and click on Control Panel
    2. Click on Sounds
    3. Under Events click on Exit Windows
    4. In the Name box select None
    5. Try and shutdown the computer to determine if the exit sound file was the problem.
  4. Power Management is another thing to try.
    1. Go back to your Control Panel and select Power Management. Change the settings to Never, Never and Never.
  5. Your Video Adapter could be causing the problem.
    1. Click on Start and Run.
    2. Type msconfig and click OK
    3. Click on Advanced, and Select
      VGA 640 X 480 X16       Click on OK
    4. You will be prompted to restart the computer,
    5. Click on OK
  6. Check your Sound Driver.
    1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties
    2. Click on the Device Manager tab, and double-click Sound, video, and game controllers
    3. Click the first device in the list, and then click Properties
    4. Click to select the Disable in this hardware profile check box, and then click OK
    5. Repeat step 6.D for each device listed under Sound, video and game controllers
    6. Click Close, and then restart your computer. After your computer restarts, try to shut down your computer.
  7. Check your Network Adapter.
    1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties
    2. Click the Device Manager tab, and double-click Network Adapters
    3. Click the first device in the list, and then click Properties
    4. Click to select the Disable in this hardware profile check box, and then click OK
    5. Repeat steps 7.C - 7.D for each device listed under Network Adapters
    6. Click Close, and then restart your computer. After your computer restarts, try to shut down.

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Best Regards and Wishes,
Mesich and The Count