Your Windows XP-based computer stops responding when hibernation starts

Your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer may stop responding when hibernation starts.

This issue may occur when the Use Fast User Switching check box is selected in Manage User Accounts.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Turn off Fast User Switching

Make sure that the Use Fast User Switching check box is clear. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click User Accounts.
2. Under Pick a task, click Change the way users log on or off.
3. Under Select logon and logoff options, click to clear the Use Fast User Switching check box, and then click Apply Options.

Method 2: Modify the Power Off options

To Modify the Power Off options, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance and then click Power Options.
2. On the Power Schemes tab, under Settings for Portable/Laptop power scheme, click the drop-down list to the right of System standby and click Never.
3. On the Power Schemes tab, under Settings for Portable/Laptop power scheme, click the drop-down list to the right of System hibernates and click Never.
4. Click Apply.
5. On the Advanced tab, click the drop-down list to the right of either When I close the lid of my portable computer or When I press the power button on my computer, click to select any option other than Hibernate, and then click Apply.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

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