OK, This is a newbies first post here, so dont laugh TOO hard. When I USED to turn off the comp, it would show ok to shutdown, and then power off by itself. It still says ok to shutdown but now it won't without me pushing the button myself.
  This pc started with 98 s.e., then went to ME "upgrade" (crashed regularly and power probl started then) but now has XP Pro sp2.
   So I have another pc that went from 98 s.e. STRAIGHT to XP Pro sp2, now it too has the same problem.

  The first comp is a PII 400 mhz (yup...LOL), 100 mhz motherboard with 3, 256mb bars (gets 688mb virtual and 640mb reporting, amazing huh... this is probably why I get a DOS error beep so many times!!), but the hard drive was replaced to 20g and XP is a "full and final edition so it was a "new OS install".
   The 2nd comp is a PII 450mhz 512mb 98s.e. to XP Pro sp that NOW has the same problem.
   I tried the APM, I even looked at the BIOS, now I am thinking DOS problem. I am HOPING that someone out there says, "OMG this is such an easy fix, go here, do that, have a beer and git-r-done". Other than this possible DOS issue, these things are super reliable internet surfboards, never more than that, but worth keeping for the kids. In need of a real GURU here....c/p from a site  One-click shutdown


If you have Clean Sweep Deluxe,recommend that you disable it before
proceeding. Follow these directions to create a one-click shutdown
shortcut:

1)Navigate to your desktop.
2)On the desktop, right-click and go to New, then to Shortcut
(in other words, create a new shortcut).
3)You should now see a pop-up window instructing you to enter a
command line path.

4)Enter one of these as the path:

Use this path if your OPERATING system is Windows 95, 98, or Me:

C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindows


Use this path if your operating system is XP:

SHUTDOWN -s -t 01


If the C: drive is not your local hard drive, then replace "C" with
the correct letter of the hard drive.


5)Click the "Next" button.
6)Name the shortcut (Shut Down) and click the "Finish" button.


Now whenever you want to shut down, just click on this shortcut and
you're done. Also, if you want to make life better and FASTER, you
can right-click the new shortcut you just made, go to Properties, and
type in X (or whatever letter) in the Shortcut Key box. this should work Quote

When I used to turn off the comp, it would show ok to shutdown, and then power off by itself. It still says ok to shutdown but now it won't without me pushing the button myself.