budone,
90 seconds to 120 seconds isn't all that bad. I've seen worse.
Windows XP has all sorts of services and processes running that don't necessarily have to be there. (Especially if you have a "name brand" computer). Try uninstalling some of the programs that you don't need. Try shutting down some of those unnecessary programs by following the procedures at the link below:
How To Shut Down Unnecessary Start Up Programs
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6121-0.html?forumID=45&threadID=22053&messageID=238474
In addition, make sure that you've used some spyware removal programs such as those free ones at the link below. Spyware programs can also cause a slow start up and shut down:
Ad-Aware 6 Spyware Removal Tool
?Spybot Search & Destroy? Spyware Removal Tool
CWShredder Hijack Removal Tool
______
I've also seen some of the major brands of antivirus, such as McAfee and Norton cause a slow shut down. Make sure they aren't set to "scan floppies on shutdown".
_________
Other than that, after shutting down programs, make sure to run Chkdsk/Error Checking and Defrag to optimize the hard drive. Then, if the computer is running fine, and the only problem is 90 seconds to 2 minutes to shut down, you're not running anything that unusual.
Hope this helps.
Grif
Why does it take so long to shut down? It takes as long as 90 to 120 seconds. What can I do to speed up the shut down? I am using Dell Dimension 2400,pentium4 processor. 256MB DDR SDRAMat 333MHz

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