Cannot shut down laptop

[dmrVA]

Running WIn XP Home. loaded new game Texas Hold em (requires directX 9.0 and it installed it through install wizard). Played game, laptop started beeping, assumed battery low but lights were not on at bottom. Plugged in and screen went to the desktop, no icons, just a black screen. Then get amessage computer locked only laptop\user name\or an administrator can unlock computer. Will not let you key anything, just beeps at you.

Cannot turn off or Ctl-Alt-Del

Any ideas??

 

[rmz8]

I assume that you can probably force a shutdown by unplugging the laptop and removing the battery for several minutes (assuming the computer is not in hibernation). Pop it in and then try booting up. I believe only Macs retain their state during standby with the battery removed, so this should work.



Ryan ;-]

 

[cdogg]

Whenever this happens on any PC, simply hold the power button down until it powers off. Usually it only takes about 5 seconds, but sometimes it's longer on a laptop. After it's off, then pull the battery and unplug it. Hold the power button down for 30 seconds to completely drain and force an internal reset. Then leave the battery out and plug the power cord back in. This has worked for a multitude of problems (especially bad batteries) on countless Dell and HP laptops I've serviced over the years.

When the system is still running, you should avoid cutting power by pulling the battery or power cord when possible. Do that as a last resort.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[dmrVA]

Thanks,
I was not holding the power button long enough. After shutting it down and starting up again it was fine.
Thanks.