this is an old gateway but it has run perfect since the day I bought it, but recently it started a wierd shut down sequence, when I click shut down I get the options box ok to restart>turn off>or cancel just fine, but when I click restart instead of starting a restart it gives me the wait>end task>cancel box, so if I choose cancel it will go back to a normal screen again but this time when I click shut down it goes ahead and gives me the options box again to restart ect, and then goes into the restart sequence just fine and re boots as normal...any ideas what may cause this? thanx..chuck

Chuck: I do not know anything about Gateways particularly, but since it's an Me OS there are a few things I'd try: #1. ctrl alt delete to close programs and, one at a time, close all programs except systray and explorer. #2. Then do scan disk, regular not thorough, thorough takes forever, disk cleanup, and disk defragmenter. If that doesn't change things do #1 again only this time try the shutdown sequence. If it goes through then one of those programs would seemed to be buggy. If so, if you feel like going through all this>> go to start > run > type msconfig > click ok > start-up tab and uncheck each start-up program (then go through the shut down) one at a time until you find the one that is buggy... Also check in here: http://www.burzurq.com/forum/trevtweak.html and after applying what you feel comfortable with (two full minute shut down), try the shut down sequence. If it's still buggy, ask Trevor on that site what he thinks. I don't know who or if someone is handling Gateway support, so I cannot refer you. There is a possibility that you have picked up some kind of adware or spyware (malware) because start-up and shut down probs are associated with malware. If you are NOT having a start-up problem that might lessen the relevance of that causation. However, running spybot and adaware will be a plus all the way around. Here's my standard menu for them, and remember that when you download >> download--1. log off the net-- 2. disable AV, and close programs (ctrl alt delet) your AV program--THEN--install. Otherwise your AV could read the install as an invader and mess with it....menu: Spybot: Download and Read the SpyBot tutorial here: http://s89223352.onlinehome.us/mirror/spybot/index1.php Download it, Unzip the program, and immediately check for updates, UPDATE EVERY THREE (3) DAYS install the updates and then shut down for two full minutes. Start-up and do the scan. Let it fix everything marked in red. Reboot but not with restart, shut it down for two full minutes. You’ve got two measely minutes and it’s worth it, and let Spybot run if it indicates. To add an item to your ‘Ignore List” click on the little ‘+’ sign next to the item and left click it to highlight it, then right click it and a menu appears, select the function you want. When you are done reboot again same way. Two full minutes shut sown is best. Ad-Aware: Download AdAware from http://www.lavasoft.de/ check for updates at update icon. Install updates, shut down for two full minutes. I use these settings (green check) From main window click "Start" then make sure " Activate in-depth scan" has a green check next to it. Put a black dot nest to "Use custom scanning options” and click Customize" next to it, then green check these options: "Scan within archives" ,"Scan active processes", "Scan registry", "Deep scan registry" ,"Scan my IE Favorites for banned URL" "Scan my host-files" At the top of the “STATUS” page notice the Tweak (gear) icon. Click on it. The first setting is “Scanning Engine.” Click on the little plus sign next to it, and in the drop-down green check "Unload recognized processes during scanning", and “include basic Ad-Aware settings in log file”. Next click on the ‘+’ next to "Cleaning Engine" and in the drop-down green check "Let windows remove files in use at next reboot" and Delete quarantine objects after restoring” Click "proceed", that will save those settings. Click "Scan" When the scan finishes, mark everything for removal and delete it. Right-click the window and choose "select all" from the drop down menu, press ‘next’ and then ‘yes’ to the prompt: “remove all these entries”. However, if you have certain programs running that will give a false indicator of a browser hijack attempt, such as Script Sentry, which places a monitoring function in the registry and looks like a browser hijacker but is not, then you may want to add that to the ignore list because you want to keep it there to do it’s job. To add an item to the ignore list, put the a cursor on the file it reveals and left click it to highlight it, then right click it and a menu appears. Click on ‘ignore list.’ Shut down, two minute shut down is best, and let Adaware run on reboot if it indicates. Best I could do.... Thresher

distant possibilities but. . . do you have all Windows updates? Me ? IE? Outlook Express, even if you don't use it, it affects IE. AV updated? Are you running Norton System Works = resource vampire...? Lots of desktop icons? Go through Trvor's site as above and do all you can to improve your resource capacity. Thresher

Greetings and thanx for all the suggestions, they should surly keep me busy for awhile but it's always worth it in the end. i also just bought and installed norton av 2004 the version with internet security with it (i did have norton 2003) but i'll tell you i don't know about any one else in here but i had pure hell installing the norton 2004 with the internet security it just seemed very complex to get it all to work together and it would not install at all unless all other av was deleted including zone alarm, and i have for a long time run spybot. so i did the install and then re installed zone alarm ect, but even now with some web pages i have to disable the internet security portion or they won't load. the genuis at walmart talked me into the norton av with the internet security. thanx again for the input...chuck

If you have free version Zone Alarm I would dump it and go with Sygate (I use), Zone Alarm is going to Frillsville, and others have had problems you report. If you can take the Norton back and get a refund, get it. For the money you are spending use nod32 AV, and let go of Norton, Norton is becoming more expensive than it is worth, and you can still access their data base for free. Many people (self included) have turned to AVG free version for AV, and one of the good free firewalls. There are plenty of good low-resource user registry maintenance tools around, Registry Mechanic, but you have to check around and see which ones you like. Some of these partial freeware tools are known to give false reads and then direct you to their paid version to clean it up. Too coincidental for me. Beware of any spyware/adware product that adverts in pop-ups--usually advert traps. Read these items marked "Priority": http://www.pcguide.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=34 One other thing I do is on downloading, after you get the download (M$ does not structure its downloads so you can do this for some reason), after download BEFORE INSTALL, #1. log off the net, #2. disable AV (right click tray icon), #3. then ctrl-alt-delete to close AV program, THEN (and only then) #4. click on the install procedure. Otherwise your AV is might read the install as an invader and mess with it. Then manually shut down for two full minutes. Thresher