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try windows task manager (press ctrl, alt, del, keys) which will let you shut down PC or individual applications)
Quote: my PC freezes and i have to shut down manually.
Hmmmm.... couple of immediate concerns there. One - it freezes. Sounds like you have some kind of major 'conflict' going on somewhere. Two - by manually shutting down, do you mean you are pulling the power cord? If so, that is not going to help the situation.
What happens if you boot into 'Safe' mode? Do you know how to run 'chkdsk /F' from a bootable floppy disk or a bootable utilities CD that will give you 'DOS' access to run the 'CheckDisk' ('chkdsk /F').
When did you last defrag the pagefile?
Thanks, Ian and Mike.
I've tried shutting down via task manager but i just get the blue screen with windows is shutting down - but it doesn't.
Mike, I'm turning it of via the on/off power
button. My computer skills are limited to say the least, Mike.
I'm quite adept at following instructions. Any tips on defragging the pagefile?
It sounds more like the problem with the registry that's common on XP machines. Go to microsoft and download the User Profile Hive Cleanup Service. Install it. Reboot. Login and then Logout. May well clear up your problem.
Interesting David...
My m/c can be slow to shut down - at times - takes an age... Just installed your suggestion and it now starts a lot quicker that's for sure. I'll check the shutdown later. 
Thanks for the link, David.
New PC advice:
Given the creaking and groaning from my PC in recent months, i'm thinking of replacing it before it dies on me. I'd be grateful for any advice regarding minimum spec/manufactures... PC will be used mainly for image processing/editing with Capture one and photoshop CS2.
Thanks
Alan
How to defrag the pagefile in Windows XP.
Go the the virtual memory settings and turn off the pagefile. Windows will complain but let you do it. Restart the computer. You will now have no pagefile. Defragment your disks. Now you should have a nice empty piece of disk ready to put a contiguous pagefile. Go to the virtual memory settings and turn on the pagefile. Windows will now create a nice shiny non fragmented pagefile. No restart needed.
To defrag a disk properly you will need at least 15% free space on it available.
PC specs for Photoshop etc. Get as much RAM as you can. The current dual core processors from AMD or Intel will all work fine. Get a fast a one as you can afford. If you have a 32bit OS - WinXP, 32bit versions of Vista - don't get any more RAM than 4GB as the maximum amount of RAM a 32bit OS can see is somewhere between 3 and 4GB depending on what hardware you are running. Get some nice large hard disks to store all the photos. Make sure you budget for monitor calibration kit if you don't already have any.
Quote: people using language like that should be banned
you're not alone...!
Quote: Go the the virtual memory settings and turn off the pagefile.
How..? where..?
My Compaq with AMD64 was bought with the promise that 64 bit programs would arrive and make things lightening fast..now all I see is 'dual core' blah...blah.. I'm totally confused..!!
Thanks Doug... I'll have a look...cautiously..!!
Kevin.
As an irrelevant aside....Graphic Designer daughter has just taken delivery of an I-mac (to do some freelance work)....absolutely stunning piece of weaponry... massive screen, wafer thin keyboard and a mouse..and that's it..!! No intentions of possible 'contamination' by connection to the Interweb and what she doesn't know about Quark and Adobe isn't worth knowing.. just gotta nail her feet to the floor and 'learn' me..!!!
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