Windows XP home will not shut down or restart

[Joe Stewart]

Suddenly, without warning, my Windows XP will not shut down or restart. I
have to shut off the power to my computer to shut down. When I upgrade
current programs and they require restart in order to become effective, their
automatic restarts don't work either. What can I do in order to get back to
where I once was? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

A shutdown troubleshooter http://aumha.org/a/shtdwnxp.htm