Programs refuse to shut down

[amnesia]

Hi,
Using WinXP Pro. Get a an occasional problem when shutting down or restarting with various multiple programs many of which I have never heard of, refusing to shut down and using CTRL, ALT,DELETE does nothing. Frequently have to pull out battery of my laptop then restart.
Has anyone any thoughts on this?
Many thanks

[Miz]

It sounds like malware of some sort.

Read this thread, then start a new thread in our Malware Removal Forum and let the experts there make sure your computer is free of infection.