Maybe try:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

Eric wrote:
Thanks for all replies!
"CK" wrote in message
...


You don't have an AT power supply on this MB, do you??? If you do, it
will NOT shut the power down.


It could be: I took a look at the power supply, but unfortunately, there
isn't a label of a brand


If he did, the front power button would work instantly. Good try

though!

It's probably a combination of BIOS settings, mainboard and how

Windows

read

the hardware when it was installed.


Try
Control Panel|Power Options|Advanced|Power Buttons
Change "When I Press the power button on my computer:" to "Shut Down"



Thanks, I'll check this out!


Isn't there an option in the BIOS to determine the function of the power
button? IIRC, "Instant Off" and "Wait 5 secs" are both options.



Yes, there are, and the current setting is 'Instant Off'. This works as
longs as Windows xp hasn't been started; and it does NOT work anymore once
xp has been started. I have to press and hold the button for about 5 seconds
in order to turn the machine off, even when the 'it is now safe to turn off'
message appears.