[LPDad]

sounds like you have a "driver/process" hanging during shutdown.

there is a setting you can change to FORCE XP to stop the process after a given amount of time and thus prevent the hangup.

I am at work and do not have access to the exact setting you need to change.
remind me later and I will find it for you.

..also there is a shutdown utility that you can use with XP that will force a fast shutdown--once again..I would need to look it up when I get home.