A computer running Windows 2000 Professional may hang rather than shut down properly. According to Infoworld columnist Brian Livingston, the problem is related to the ATX power supply and an interaction with its configuration. Here's the fix he recommends:
- In Windows 2000, you must be logged on as Administrator or
as a user with administrator privileges. Any network policies in
effect must also permit the procedure.
- Right-click the My Computer icon on the Windows Desktop;
then click Manage.
- Select the Device Manager icon in the left pane of the
Computer Management window that appears.
- Pull down the View menu, and then click Show Hidden
Devices.
- In the right pane, expand NT AMP/Legacy Support, if
present. Right-click the item NT AMP/Legacy Node, and then click Properties.
- Select "Use this Device" (enable).
This procedure should allow Windows 2000 to properly handle the
device that is interfering with normal shutdown.
Update - July 2001
Service Pack 1 or 2 for Windows 2000 may resolve shutdown problems caused by power management issues. Log on as Administrator and install the service pack. Reboot and log on again as Admininstrator. Go to Control Panel, Power Options. Select the APM tab. Check "Enable Advanced Power Management Support."