T400 - Vista Ultimate x86 SP1 freezes when shutting down

My T400 configuration is: CPU T9400 - 3GB RAM - ATI HD3470 - HDD 100GB 7200RPM.

I installed Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 on the machine. My problem is whenever I use a large amount of apps and then try to shutdown the computer, it just halts and I have to power off the machine to shut down Windows. The problem does not occurr when I open a small numbers of apps. (i.e. in this case I can shut down the computer without any problem).

So what should I do now so that I can shut down my computer normally in all circumstances?

Thanks in advance

 

does it happen after you exit all the apps, or are you attempting shutdown while they're running?

There is a timeout in windows, and Vista's default is too long for the mere mortal.

If you are attempting shutdown while the apps are running, then I'd say exit them manually and report your findings.

If you have exited all apps and it still takes a long time, then it could be that one of your apps is not exiting and windows is waiting for it to shut itself down before forcing it out.

In any case, the fix is in a program called "Ultimate Windows Tweaker", made for Vista. Go to the "System and Performance" and pull all three sliders on the top to the third notch.

If you've done the above, rebooted, then have the same problem, then let's investigate further.
Remember, you must reboot after the change in the above setting.

 

Before you go installing random programs, just try this on shutdown: right click on the taskbar and go to Task Manager. Then check the list of tasks for any running applications. If there are any, use End Task to kill them. Then go and check the Processes tab to see if there are any processes running that have similar names to the application you were using. If you find one, reboot and try again, except this time don't open the application you manually terminated. If you can shut down now, you've figured out the application that's causing the problems. If you tell me which application's the problem, I might be able to tell you where to go from there.

 

way to go for inaccuracy and not having read the above post

 

I don't know what you're talking about. I read your post just fine, and just suggested that before the OP goes installing some program, he try my suggestion, which doesn't require any such software installation.

 

Thank you for your answers

@receph: The problem exists in both cases: either when I force programs to shut down or when I close them before pressing the shut down button. The strange thing is: It seems that the problem occurs randomly to me. Just yesterday I also opened a large amount of apps and then I shut down windows normally (?!). Honestly, I can't forecast when it happens.

So, perhaps you're right. There must be some apps delaying the shut down process and now I need to identify them in task manager. Using "Ultimate Windows Tweaker" may also be another good choice as well. Thanks