Rich

Is this before or after installing the SP3 update?

This suggestion may help. Download and install the User Profile Hive
Cleanup Service
Download details: User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
http://snipurl.com/5b61

UPHClean v1.5e readme.txt
http://snipurl.com/ko8m

Worth a look at what is included here:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

I've had this in the past when a network is configured and the cable isn't
plugged in.

If you plug the ethernet into a switch/hub it then shuts down immidiately,
so I know that's what the problem was.

HTH

Try the following:

Go to Start > Run and enter REGEDIT and press OK. This fires up the
registry editor.

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Edit the
following keys:

1) AutoEndTasks: Default is 0, make it 1

You can also try the following settings under the same branch:

2) ForegroundLockTimeout: Default is 20000, make it 0

3) HungAppTimeout:Default is 5000, try 1000, if it's still slow, try
500. I don't suggest going anything lower than 250 though as it could
really make programs / services that need a momentd or two to end
act...funny.

4) WaitToKillAppTimeout: Default is 20000, try 1000, if it's still
slow, try 500. I don't suggest going anything lower than 250 though as
it could really make programs / services that need a moment or two to
end act...funny.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control

1) WaitToKillServiceTimeout: Default is 20000, try 2000. I don't use
this setting personally and it's questionable whether XP supports it
or not.

When you finish, reboot. Log into XP and then do a shutdown and see
how long it take.

If some of the keys above don't exists, just create them using the
right mouse button.

#1 is a String Value
#2 is DWORD value
#3 is a String value
#4 is a String value

Good luck.

- Thee Chicago Wolf