Win98se shutdown problems...

[Hopper]

I know what you're thinking when you read the title-- "Just download the microsoft shutdown patch."-- but, this is a little different.

Here's the problem. When I sometimes go to shutdown my comp, it hangs. When I hit crtl-alt-del, it shows "RUN32.dll" in the little window. (Nothing else) When I hit the "End Task" button, the system stops responding altogether. No cursor, keyboard, and not even a blue screen of death.

I figured that "RUN32.dll" might be bad or something, so I did "System File Checker". I didn't see it pop up. I then ran "Find" (RUN32.dll) in my start menu... and apperantly I don't have it anywhere in my comp.

Um... do I need this file? If so, what is it used for? Any help would be appreciated since a google search did not help. I will try a Microsoft search after I post this.

Thanx!

[Hopper]

Yup, I'm a dumbarse. The file is actually "rundll32". I found it in my system, but I still don't know what it is used for. I guess I'll keep lookin.

[John Prophet]

Sometimes if you run DR Watson, it will tell you whats up, or give you some good hints anyway. go to "run" box..type in drwatson..the little icon appears in your system tray by the clock..then you double click on that and it'll run its little report. Mine always tells me something about mmtask.tsk, but I dont seem to have problems with that. Heres an example of Dr Watson heling out with a weird, hard to trace problem..see the last post of the thread ... Cant keep customers soundcard loaded in WinMe? Any ideas?

If Dr Watson shows any file names, replace them using "sfc" "extract" file option.

You could try running "msconfig" and click on the "startup" tab, uncheck everything that you dont absolutely need to start up...in other words, you dont NEED realplayer, aol,attune,weatherbug, attune etc etc to start up with windows. (Be careful about unchecking things you arent sure about, unless you just do it for testing purposes..besides, you can always recheck stuff) Two things you do absolutely need are systray and explorer. So strip it down and see if the problem goes away or continues..if it goes away, you could re-check the programs in msconfig one at a time and see which one is causing problems.

Comb the Msoft knowledge base.

Good luck, JP

[Xeroid]

Fix your problem yet? If not have a look HERE. Lots of good troubleshooting info on Win98 shutdown problems.

Mike