How to Stop a Program That Is Preventing Windows XP from Hibernating?

Lockups when hibernating a computer can turn a convenient feature into an annoying frustration.

The hibernation feature in Windows XP enables users to shut down and power off the computer while saving an exact copy of the current open session to the computer hard drive. When the computer powers up from hibernation, the previously open session and all open windows are restored. If a program fails to cooperate when the computer is preparing to hibernate and blocks the hibernation process, shut down the program using the Task Manager utility that is included with Windows XP, so that hibernation can finish and the computer can shut down.

Instructions

1. Right-click on the Windows XP taskbar and click "Task Manager" in the menu that appears. The "Windows Task Manager" window will display.

2. Click the "Applications" tab in the "Windows Task Manager" window.

3. Click once on the program that is displaying errors and not closing when the computer attempts to hibernate. Usually this program will be listed in Task Manager as "not responding." Click the "End Task" button. If the program does not close and a "Program Not Responding" window appears, click the "End Now" button to shutdown the application.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also start the Task Manager utility by pressing the "CTRL," "ALT," and "DEL" keys at the same time, and then click "Task Manager" in the window that appears.

References

• Grown UP Geek: Windows Help: How to Cancel a Stuck Program
• Update XP; Windows XP Task Manager; Marc Liron