"It is Now Safe to Turn Off Your Computer" error message when you try to shut down your computer (810903)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

SYMPTOMS

When you try to shut down your Microsoft Windows XP-based or Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer, the computer may stop responding, and you may receive the following message:It is now safe to turn off your computer

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if one or more of the following conditions are true:
  • Your computer supports the Advanced Power Management (APM) feature, but the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACP)-compliant basic input/output system (BIOS) is not configured correctly to permit the operating system to turn off the power supply.
  • During an upgrade of the operating system, Windows does not detect that the computer is ACPI-compliant.
  • An OEM device driver or service is installed on your computer that is preventing the computer from correctly shutting down.
  • Your computer is not ACPI-compliant.

RESOLUTION

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

Step 1: Enable Advanced Power Management support

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Power Options.

    Note If you are using Windows XP, click Switch to Classic View in Control Panel to more easily follow these steps.
  2. Click the APM tab.

    Note If you are using multiple monitors, the APM tab may not be available.
  3. Select Enable Advanced Power Management Support, and then click OK.

Step 2: Confirm that the computer's CMOS/BIOS settings are correct

Warning This procedure may involve changing your computer's complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings and altering the BIOS. Incorrect changes to the BIOS of your computer may cause serious problems. Change the computer's CMOS settings at your own risk.

Incorrect or damaged CMOS and BIOS settings can cause startup and shutdown problems. For information about the correct CMOS and BIOS settings for your computer and about how to check and change these settings, see the documentation that came with your computer or contact the manufacturer. To confirm that the computer's BIOS is current, contact the computer manufacturer to inquire about the latest BIOS update that is available for your computer.

Step 3: Verify that the computer is ACPI-compliant

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
  2. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
  3. Expand the Computer branch. A specification that is similar to one of the following will appear:
    • ACPI Multiprocessor PC
    • ACPI Uniprocessor PC
    • Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC
    • Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% Compatible
    • MPS Uniprocessor PC
    • MPS Multiprocessor PC
    • Standard PC
    If your computer is listed as Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC, go to "Step 4: If the computer is ACPI-compliant."

    If your computer is listed as a Standard PC, the issue will occur. However, you may be able to work around this issue. Go to "Step 5: If the computer is not ACPI-compliant."

    If your computer is listed as a Standard PC, but you are sure that the computer is ACPI-compliant, go to "Step 4: If the computer is ACPI-compliant."

Step 4: If the computer is ACPI-compliant

If your computer is ACPI-compliant, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
  2. See if any one of the following programs is installed:
    • Logitech mouse drivers
    • Adaptec/Roxio software
    • Zone Alarm
  3. If any one of these programs is installed, either contact the manufacturer of the program for an updated version or temporarily remove the program.
  4. Try to shut down the computer to see if the issue is resolved.
  5. If the issue still occurs, use Task Manager to determine the programs that are currently running on the computer. Manually quit each program that is listed in Task Manager, and then shut down and restart the computer to test if the shutdown problem is resolved. To do this, follow these steps:

    Note All programs that are currently running on the computer may not be listed in the Applications tab of Task Manager.
    1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then click Task Manager.
    2. Click the Applications tab.
    3. In the Task column, click the program that you want to quit, and then click End Task.
    4. Quit Task Manager.
    5. Shut down the computer.
  6. If the issue still occurs, contact the manufacturers of any additional devices on your computer, such as video adapters or sound cards, to obtain the latest drivers for the devices. For information about how to contact a vendor, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

    60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

    60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

  7. If the issue still occurs after you install current drivers, you may be able to work around this issue by converting the computer to be ACPI-compliant by changing the driver for the item under the Computer branch.

    Important This procedure contains information about changing the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) driver. Before you continue, make sure that the computer is ACPI-compliant, and make sure that you know how to restore Windows if a problem occurs.

    For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    237556 How to troubleshoot Windows 2000 Hardware Abstraction Layer issues

    Warning Modifying the HAL incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Do not try to change from a standard HAL to an ACPI HAL unless you are sure that the computer is ACPI-compliant. For example, determine if the ACPI HAL is supported before you upgrade your operating system, or confirm that the computer supports ACPI by inspecting the BIOS. Incorrectly modifying the HAL can cause your computer to stop starting. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems that are caused by incorrectly changing the HAL can be solved. Change the HAL at your own risk.

    If you are sure that your computer is ACPI-compliant, follow these steps:
    1. In Control Panel, double-click System.
    2. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
    3. Expand the Computer branch, and then double-click the detected HAL. For example, double-click Standard PC.
    4. Click the Driver tab, and then click Update Drivers.

      Note You can only change or update your HAL from Device Manager under Computer Type when you change from a Standard PC HAL to an ACPI HAL. If you change from an ACPI HAL to a Standard HAL, you may not be able to start your computer.

Step 5: If the computer is not ACPI-compliant

If the computer is not ACPI-compliant, you may be able to work around this issue by installing the NT APM/Legacy Device. Before you install the NT APM/Legacy device, you must first disable the Microsoft ACPI Device if it is installed.

To disable the Microsoft ACPI Device:
  1. Open Control Panel, and then double-click System.
  2. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
  3. On the View menu, click Show Hidden Devices.
  4. Expand Non-Plug and Play Drivers.
  5. Do either of the following:
    • If Microsoft ACPI Driver is not listed:

      In the NT APM/Legacy Support branch of the device tree, you will see the item NT Apm/Legacy Interface Node. It will show a red X to indicate that it is disabled.

      Right-click NT Apm/Legacy Interface Node, and then click Enable.

      After you follow these steps, Windows will shut down correctly.
    • If Microsoft ACPI Driver is listed, follow these steps:
      1. Double-click Microsoft ACPI Driver.
      2. Click the Driver tab, and then in the Type box, click Disabled.
      3. Click OK, and then restart the computer.
      4. When Windows restarts, repeat these steps to open the Microsoft ACPI Driver Properties dialog box, and then click the Driver tab.

        Verify the following:
        • Disabled appears in the Type box.
        • Stopped appears in the Status section.
        After you verify that the Microsoft ACPI Device is disabled, continue with the following steps to install the NT APM/Legacy device:
      5. Open Control Panel, and then double-click Add Hardware.
      6. When the Hardware Wizard stops searching for new hardware, click Yes, I have already connected the hardware, and then click Next.
      7. Scroll to the bottom of the Installed Hardware list, click Add a new hardware device, and then click Next.
      8. Click Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced), and then click Next.
      9. Under Common Hardware Types, click NT Apm/Legacy Support, and then click Next.
      10. Click NT Apm/Legacy Interface Node, and then click Next.
      11. Click Next again, and then click Finish.
The computer will now correctly shut down.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

266169 How to troubleshoot problems with Standby, Hibernation, and shutting down your computer in Windows 2000

257562 Hibernate and standby features are not available when using Standard VGA

313290 Your computer may not shut down after you upgrade to Windows XP

237551 Advanced Power Management features are disabled with Terminal Services

259889 Standby option not available in multiple-processor configuration

255182 Hibernate tab is not available in Power Options tool in Control Panel

197477 The system cannot go to standby mode because the...

257199 Device driver error message is displayed when the computer enters standby or hibernate mode

247480 Error message after setting hibernation on computer with modem

247290 APM Standby option is missing on PCs without a battery

252471 Error Message: Removable Storage Manager refused the request to hibernate or suspend the system

259623 Standby feature is available on computers with a battery or ACPI

211205 Dell and IBM notebook computers may not suspend

247238 Standby in shut down not available in IBM ThinkPad 380XD when APM is enabled

211271 Cannot hibernate Windows 2000 after installing or uninstalling McAfee AntiVirus 3.1.4


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:5/27/2004
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb kbfix KB810903 kbAudITPRO