I know this isn't the most logical forum to post computer problems in but seeing as though I'm already a member and there are a lot of knowledgeable people here I thought it would be worth a try.

Basically I'm having a problem with my new PC build where after xp gets past the 'saving your settings' screen it goes through to the 'windows is shutting down' screen and a couple of seconds later (when it would normally turn off) the screen goes blank, the display turns off but the PC stays on.  The only way to turn it off is to hold the power button for 10secs or turn the PSU off.  The system restarts fine.

I think I have narrowed it down to be GPU related as when I did a format/clean install the PC shutdown/powered down normally.  I ran it without drivers installed for about a week and it powered off no problem every time.  The problem only re-appeared when I re-installed the video drivers.

I've tried the drivers on the disc (186.18), the latest drivers on nvidia's site (197.45) and the alternative omega drivers, all no joy.  Although I don't think the omega installed correctly.  I'm currently downloading the oldest drivers on nvidia's site (182.50) to see if they work.  I don't have another GPU to test it with, I only have an AGP one and the MB has no AGP slot.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is driving me nuts!  I've googled for shut/powerdown problems but nothing that I've read has helped.

System spec:
XP SP2 w/ all updates
Intel Core i7 930 2.80Ghz (Bloomfield) (Socket LGA1366) Processor
Asus GeForce GTX 260 896MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card
2 x Samsung HD103SJ SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II Hard Drive in RAID0
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD5 Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 Motherboard
G.Skill ECO OC 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
750W PSU

I remember something there.

Go to the System Settings (either via the Control Panel or via WinKey+Pause). Then to Advanced. There are several Buttons with settings.

Look for an option that says "Fast Shutdown" or something like that and disable it.

Quoting DJ Doena:

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I remember something there.

Go to the System Settings (either via the Control Panel) or via WinKey+Pause. Then to Advanced. There are several Buttons with settings.

Look for an option that says "Fast Shutdown" or something like that and disable it.

I don't see anything resembling fast shutdown in any of the options in that menu or its sub menus.

Quoting MarEll:

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I don't see anything resembling fast shutdown in any of the options in that menu or its sub menus.

I'll check tomorrow at work. I don't have XP at home anymore.

Quoting widescreenforever:

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There are numerous sites thru a google search to find fastshutdown ..

Also, you might want to set this value to 0: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314834/EN-US/

The obvious of course is not to shut down, I leave my PC on all the time. I just switch the monitor off when I leave it.

- the time when a PC usually fails is when it's either being switched on or switched off..

Quoting MarEll:

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Quoting widescreenforever:

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For what it's worth try this inexpensive easy tip ..
Right click C Drive/ Properties/ Tools / error checking and tick the top box ( or both), and restart PC.

Come back in 7- 10 minutes .. and see if PC shuts down better ..

I know it's definitely not this because when I re-installed xp I switched to a new hard drive.  Thanks for the suggestion though.

Ummm, that doesn't really mean anything. the failure rate of hard drives in the first year is close to 5%.

Quoting goblinsdoitall:

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[...]
I'd go for incompatibilities between Mainboard's energy control software and graphics card driver.
Disable all non Windows energy software (incl. Intel Application Acceleration-Tool (if installed) and tell us what happens then.

The only thing I could find was the Intel AA tool (iaanotif.exe in msconfig).  Tried disabling it and restarting, still wouldn't powerdown.