Force quit window at shutdown...

Every time I shut down my alienware laptop I get the force quit window. I ussually have all windows closed when I shutdown and the force quit window never has any programs in it. Does anyone know why and how to stop it?

 

Mine usually does the same thing when I shut down right after closing a program, the only thing I could think was maybe some background info for the programs were still closing. Doesn't seem to cause any problems when it does it for me.

 

Usually firewalls and antivirus programs cause than kind of behavior. Also you have to check and see if a program depends on data located on an external hard drive that my slow down the whole procedure.
There is a registry tweak you can do to kill programs after a certain amount of time without waiting for them to respond.

 

Can you tell me the registry tweak please?

 

WARNING!!! DO NOT ATTEMPT this if you are not familiar with Registry Editor. Modifying the wrong item can lead to unstable/unusable OS.

Here's a quick guide.
Press Win + R to open command prompt.

Type regedit and press Enter Key to open up the Registry Editor Window.

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

In the right pane, right click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout and click on Modify

Type in a number between 1000 to 20000 [1-20 seconds]

** [12000 is default] **

 

Thanks. + 1 rep

 

Hi Kenichols29

It sounds like your Norton Internet Security Subsription is preventing your computer from shutting down.

 

No can do, no problem here with forced shutdowns. This is a know issue with Norton. On the other hand zaidbaby you get what you pay for with drivers. You play you pay,

 

Funny, I get the forced shutdowns almost always it seems after using steam

 

I had the same problem before I started using Norton. Its been more frequent since I installed Norton But its did it before I installed Norton.

 

Same problem here - I do have steam installed, but is not always used when I used the laptop (otherwise it is disabled from start-up in msconfig). I don't have Norton but Kaspersky instead, but I don't think it is that.

 

Guys, just for an FYI, its not the anti virus! I've just reinstalled the OS on my M15x and I'm experiencing that delay even without any anti virus installed yet.

I'm still trying to find out which one is causing the delay..

EDIT:
Thanks kenichols29

 

I've had a quick look at the event log for when I shutdown last night and of the entries is:

Application popup: devcon.exe - Application Error : The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142). Click OK to close the application.

This came up when everything else was shutting down. The same error also occured on Friday evening also. Searched for the devcon.exe application and it is part of AlienSense in the Alienware command centre.

LOUSYGREATWALLGM, have you already installed the command centre yet to that point (in your last post)?

 

Well I guess we need to notify alienware about this issue. Its nothing major just annoying.

 

I have had this same issue, and it has been caused by two different programs. Aliensense caused it four times total, and a few times Steam caused it to happen. All of the times with Steam occurred when I had to shut down, while it was still downloading a game. Don't know if this helps, but this has been my experience with this issue.

 

Just to touch on the NAV theory, I have Norton Internet Security 2010 installed on 3 systems, 1 running Vista x64, the other 2 running W7. Aliensense and Steam installed as well. No issues at all - no hangs at shutdown.

Remember, this is typically seen with Windows Background Services... this shouldn't be creating an issue. Now if your system is hanging for more than several seconds to minutes, yeah - I certainly would be looking at my event log and Windows built in performance metrics which can tell you exactly what is causing the slow shutdown... See the following:

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools

this will give you a good idea what is going on. Start there. Quite often, you will see the NV display driver is causing shutdown/restart delays on NV GPU systems. This is just an example of a common hang item.

 

*All alienware ship with Aliensense and Steam. If there was a problem it would be seen by everyone.

*All tech support starts with two questions
1) Did you change your drivers
2) Which AV program are you running

*When in Rome do as the Romans do. If Alienware recommends Norton Internet Security 2010 than use it.

 

Um, I do not recall stating that there was a "problem". Only mentioned my experience with this same issue. Trust me, try downloading a game on Steam, over a 128K connection (our internet out here sucks badly) and turn off your computer while the download is still going on, and this problem will happen to you. I have been using Steam since they forced it on us with HL2 (when it was initially released), and I love it now, it has come a long way from where it began. This is just something that given the right variables happens. As far as Aliensense goes, believe me, having happened 4 times, in all of the shutdowns I have done with my machine, it has not even raised an eyebrow, and is a non issue.

Only sharing my experience with the same issue as the TS. Thanks for the helpful input.

 

Thanks for sharing

 

After reading this entire thread, it is clear that the problem exists on both M15x and M17x-R1/2 models.

Lousygreatwallgm performed an OS reinstallation without any Antivirus program and he still has the shutdown problem. Wacdag is using Kaspersky AV and has the same problem.

I would conclude from the postings that you could eliminate the AV as being the cause of the problems.

Has anyone removed Aliensense to see if the problem went away?

 

Did reinstalling cause the shutdown problem to reoccur?

 

Have never seen this problem before and I DID NOT do an OS resintalltion, nor do I use Kaspersky or Norton. What does that deduce? The problem very well may NOT be AV but it is something that you can't rule out. The AV runs 24/7 and has control over every aspect of your operating system. That is why it is often a problem. AV may also have deleted or corrupted a file, or maybe NOT. Aliensense is a very custom and very unique piece of software. Perhaps even something in the registry has gone amuck. Have you downloaded to the latest Aliensense?

Also the M15x and M17x are two entirely different computers using entirely different graphics cards from two different brands so not exactly a great control study.

I agree with Batboy to use the Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools

Windows 7 64 does have a lot of shutdown issues if you google the subject. Unfortunately there is not one simple answer. Also take a look at MSCONFIG and see what services are running in the background.

Also there is a vast number of people on the net who DO NOT OWN ALIENWARE and still have this same problem. What does that deduce?

 

Yes. CC was installed.

UPDATE:
After several hours of tweaking my system, I found no other way to fix the shut down issue but to uninstall the Command Center (like zaidbaby said)

Yes, you can reinstall the Command Center when needed.

 

Why did you change your original responses to both Zaidbaby and BA0701 to "Thanks for sharing"?

Originally, you pointed out to Zaidbaby that M15x and M17x are using different graphics cards and therefore different drivers.

You pointed out to BA0701 that he should expect the problem attempting to shutdown while downloading the game software.

Are you going to go-off on AV MSE being the greatest thing since sliced bread and all other AVs causing trouble again? Why do you keep bring-up the AV as an issue when someone (Lousygreatwallgm) has already gone through the trouble to prove that it is not the AV causing the problem?

As I had pointed-out in my previous post, Lousygreatwallgm had performed a reinstallation of the OS without AV and he is still experiencing the shutdown problem.

Lousygreatwallgm latest post seems to clearly indicate that it is the Command Center software causing the issue as Zaidbaby pointed out in his posts. If other members who are experiencing the same shutdown issue deinstall CC and the problem goes away, then the members need to inform Dell to look into the software issue concerning Command Center during the shutdown.

My statement is that the problem is occurring on M15x and the M17x-R1/2 models. There is a high likelihood that a common component is the culprit. In this case, it may be the Command Center software if someone using the M17x that is having the shutdown problem can deinstall the software to see if the issue goes away.

The next question is, does the problem return if they reinstall Command Center?

I sure if I Google any number of common computer errors, I will get a lot of results. The goal is to try narrow down for these specific computers (M15x & M17xR1/2) the common hardware or software that is causing the shutdown issues.

 

Sad to say, yes

 

Well... Well... this is turning into such a heated debate

Seriously, if you are having an issue with having to force shut down or experience abnormally long shutdown times - please, take a moment to actually check what is causing the issue (Windows very well may be logging this). Now, thats not to say a root cause will be easy to find but if you take a moment and check, you just might be surprised.

FWIW, I have Vista running on my M17xR1 (factory install to this day) with CC installed and Internet Security 2010. No issues. I also have my standby drive with a clean W7 install which also has CC and IS2010. The only issue I see from time to time is windows complaining the NV Display driver is taking extra time in the shutdown process. That is all.

Hope you guys get it resolved - if someone can post info (info showing what is causing the delay) from Windows (again, Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools) I'm more than happy to try and assist... lets see if we can pin it down.

 

I have the issue too with my M15X but I don't have Norton, or McAfee- I use Avast+ other stuff. But I will say that I really don't see it as a problem as it's for just a second before I shut down/restart the laptop.

 

At least you can reproduce the problem which may help Dell identify the issue.

Has anyone with an M17x having this problem deinstalled Command Center to determine if the shutdown error went away? Then reinstall to see if the problem reoccurs?

 

I'm not so sure which info BatBoy is asking. Just tell me which ones to copy/paste


@BatBoy
YGPM

 

What version of Command Center are people with the shutdown error running for which model (M15x or M17x)?

Is there a newer version of Command Center that resolves this issue?

Cavite Emptor
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...wners-a05-do-not-install-cc-resouce-disk.html

 

I am running 2.0.14.0

But, again, the issue with me happens so infrequently that it is really not a problem. I think there is a newer version than what I am running, but I am waiting until I reinstall my system manually to install it. It might be more of a priority, if it was more of an issue for me. The Steam lockups for me are more annoying, because they won't go away until I click on stop process now. Only resolution for that is for me not to try and download things out here, which normally takes me more than a week per game anyhow.

I hope this helps,

 

I already pointed out the route to access this info

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools

So, you should see something which looks like attachment 1.

Drill down further and check the event log. NOTE: You may see several Exclamation marks mentioning boot time and shutdown time performance. Keep in mind, some of this is actually expected and nothing you can do aside from stripping down the OS will help.

The main areas you should focus on are as soon as you open up the Advanced Tools option, directly under Performance at the top of the window - you want to look at any links/items listed there.

Basically, you are following this info - see 4th post down here:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...e/thread/fb35a679-c9b8-4a97-95c4-39c60e218130

 

Hi Kenichols29, perhaps this information will help you.

*On June 14'th I downloaded the latest version of CC (Comand Center)
Version 2.5.48.0. Have had no problems since updating to this. The release notes for this version are as follows:

Command Center 2.5.48.0 version
Installer
- The Firmware upgrade process message that appears at the beginning of the process was removed.
AlienFX Improved the timing synchronization in the communication process.

*I thought I was running the most current version but I noticed today that there was another version posted on June 17 which I did not realize. I have not tested the June 17 version. This version is 2.5.54. It says it fixes the following.

Alienware Command Center A07 (V2.5.54.0)
Release notes

1. Fixed Microsoft Register server error.
2. Fixed AlienFx shortcut key functions.
3. Improved language compatibility
4. Improved Upgrade compatibility with previous versions.
5. Removed unnecessary feature for Sleep /start menu in AlienFusion.
6. Improved Power Management features.
7. Fixed AlienTouch sensitivity panel layout.
8. Fixed AlienFx zone removal issue with lights still on.

*Today I also noticed that there was also an optional update 6/21/2010 called Custom Desktop Themes. I downloaded this software. It is written by a company called STARDOCK. This is the ALIENWARE GUI theme. It also alows you to download other themes for extra money.

*After downloading Alienwares Custom Desktop Themes I than began to have forced shutdown issues with steam and OSD. OSD which stands for On Screen Display Software. The forced shutdown screen flashed almost as fast as I could read it. It happened during about 4 shutdowns and than stopped.

*In the performance log after installing the ALIEN THEMES I had multiple SHUTDOWN issues with
Alienware Fx controller
p2Psvc
crytographic services
windows font cache services
pnpr svc
dwm.exe.
event log

*I deleted the STARDOCK program from control panel but noticed STARDOCK junk still in my registry. Does anyone know if the M17X-R2 came with stardock in the registry and also is Stardock used for the Alienware Command Center?

*When I ordered my computer you had to pick between an Alienware theme and the Alienware GUI theme you could not have both. The Alienware GUI is really shareware and the many many themes they offer are extra coin$$$. Alienware GUI is free, all other themes are $19.95. Thanks Dell for the bloatware.

P.S. Perhaps the 2.5.54 fixes the volume touch issue. I did notice an improvement with the 2.4.48 and the volume control.

 

No need to use it if you don't like it. I have it installed with no issues. You might want to try CCleaner's Registry clean function - it can do wonders with cleaning up the registry.

The other items you listed:

Alienware Fx controller - obviously part of AlienFX which is installed with CC. If you don't want to edit your lights then remove it. Not much can be said with this one. It may have trouble from time to time with shutdown, it may not. I don't have it as a problem item however this does not mean its not an issue. It may also be having issue with the other running services on your system? See below. MyColors (the alienguise theme) is not going to conflict with the AlienFXController. The AlienFXController is your LEDs - thats all.

all relate to Windows.

**You might want to check over BlackViper's site and review his info on disabling non-essential services. Windows 7 Service Configurations by Black Viper


EDIT: Received a PM asking for my CCleaner Registry settings - see attached. Basically, check everything on the registry screen if its not checked by Default. Again, feel free to backup changes before cleaning - up to you.

 

Thanks Batboy for the information and the research. Much appreciated.

 

I also get it but I never click on force quit.

 

formating everything and reinstalling everything would help ? as of what i remember, i dun remember i have this problem until i uninstalled the CC and installed the newest.

 

The problem happens more frequently since I upgraded CC to the newest version. I might go back to the older version that came on my driver disk.

 

Not trying to tell you that you are wrong but I seriously doubt this is a Command Center issue. Check the links I provided in my 2 previous posts... using the information I posted you can pinpoint any items the OS is hanging on...

 

Can you try exiting the CC before shutting down the system and see if it help?

 

ya, Ill see what I could do.

 

I just stopped all the proccesses related to cc and shut down my laptop. It immediately shut down and no force quit window came up. The force quit window comes up every time I have shut down my computer before, since upgrading cc.

 

As expected. Just exit the CC after editing/updating your light.

Or better yet, stop the CC from auto start up (that's what I did since I don't edit my light much) if you are lazy to shut it down everytime you start your machine.

Have fun

 

Got a nice new shiny m11x yesterday, new SSD, clean OS install. Latest drivers, I get this problem. It's NOT AV software, I haven't even got that far yet.

Will try to figure a way round it cos it's really annoying.

Nox

 

you can cheq in system event to see what software was preventing the system from shuting down

 

There's a bug in Win7 atm that occasionally causes people to not being able to shut down. There's a hotfix for that. Try this: There is a delay when you shut down, restart, or log off a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2

 

There is only one 'error' ref the not shutting down, it's pointing its finger towards an alienware executable. (I forget the name) I had some success killing the alien hook 32 process before shutting down, seemed to make things 10 times better, infact I thought I had fixed it then saw a VERY brief force shutdown screen. Will try out that hotfix too tonight. Wish i'd bought my laptop into work today - it's going to be a quiet one

the kill process timeout did nothing for me either

Nox

 

After you have uninstalled Command Center, how do you disable AlienFX lights? After fresh install of Windows, the keyboard lights up. Thus, to disable AlienFX lights (since I do not use it), I have to install Command Center. I mean, is there a way to disable the light without installing the Command Center?

 

Some have Command Center installed with and have no issues with shutdown. I am one of those people - no problems with shutdown and CC is installed.

Alvin, if you do not use AlienSense, then do the following:

1. Open up Command Center
2. Click on the AlienSense button at the bottom
3. Slide the slider all the way to the left to disable AlienSense - see attached image

Works for me and no issues.

Be sure you have the current version of CC installed (v2.5.54)
Drivers and Downloads