Problem with shutting down my computer [new title]

Factual Questions
1

I have Windows XP and a Pentium 4 computer.

Lately, I have to go through the motions twice to turn off or restart my computer.

START - TURNOFF COMPUTER - TURNOFF/RESTART

When I click through just once, the screen sits there waiting for an encore. I must click through again to get the desired result.

Would someone suggest a solution to the problem, please?

2

Sounds like your mouse settings. There’s an option for double click/single click. It’s in the Control Panel

3

It’s also possible that your mouse is broken. Are you sure your clicks are registering? There are also some viruses that mess with turnoff commands. Check to see that your antivirus mojo is up to date.

4

Try using the keyboard instead of the mouse to shut down the comp. User the arrow keys to select the shutdown option and the space bar to enter. This will help you figure out whether it’s your mouse or something else.

If you can’t figure out what it is, but you want a quick shutdown option, make a shortcut on your desktop or quick launch bar with the dos command “C:>shutdown -s”. When you click this shortcut, your comp will shutdown.

If you do “C:>shutdown /?” you’ll see some neat options, including a timer shutdown and remote shutdown over a LAN.

5

Building on AskNott’s response, I would also check for spyware via AdAware or something similar. Also, make sure you have the newest XP service pack (SP1, but SP2 will be out shortly). If it still doesn’t work, a repair install of Windows might do the trick.

6

I think the mouse (Microsoft Optical type) is fine. I click and double click everywhere else in XP, with no problems.

I tried shutting down with the keyboard. Still had to do it twice.

Going to try to find out how to do the shortcut thing with the

C:>shutdown -s

(Don’t know how to do that yet, however.)

Also, I check for spyware regularly. Nothing so far.

My thanks to all of you for your help.

7

My desktop (XP Pro) does the same thing. I know my mouse is just fine. And the keyboard doesn’t make it work either. I check regularly—almost too regularly—for viruses and spyware. And I know all my running processes.

So I don’t have the answer. But, Antiochus, at least you know you’re not alone.

8

Ole audilover! 8^)

I can feel your compassion!!