Programmatic System Shutdown Fails

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When you try to programmatically shut down a Windows NT 3.5 or 3.51 system on which no user is logged on, the shutdown does not succeed. (Shutdown APIs: InitiateSystemShutdown(), ExitWindows*().) After the unsuccessful shutdown, all system services remain operational and the system seems to be fully functional; however, the only ways to shut down the system are to log on and perform a manual shutdown or to perform a hardware reset.

CAUSE

When no user is logged on to the system, the default logon screen saver becomes active. When shutdown is initiated, the system terminates the screen saver but stops the shutdown process.

RESOLUTION

A modification was made to Winlogon.exe to correct this condition.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5 and 3.51. This problem was corrected in the latest Windows NT 3.51 U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K