Yeah I've tried everything but the geriatric old rig won't turn off.

XP actually 'shutsdown' but the power and the fan are still on.

This is my 2nd format/re-install of XP and it still does it.

In answer to your pending questions:
1. Yes, I've played around with the power management in the control panel, nothing changed.
2. Yes, I went thru everything on MS useless Help Site, nothing changed.
3. Yes, I've reset to default the BIOS etc, nothing changed.

Any help would be appreciated.

push the button

hold down the power button?

have you checked the front buttons are wired correctly to the mobo

push the button...

turn it off at the wall.

Try disconnecting the powerswitch, and shorting the mobo pins with something (eg screwdriver.) Also could try moving the motherboard out of the case, and testing it (just on the table or something, make sure its clean and dry.)

I had this problem once. Fixed it by upgrading lol.

dont turn your pc off, like a normal person?

If the power connections are hooked up correctly it will be either a prob with your PSU or your motherboard. How old is the "geriatric"? If the PSU is out of warranty, pop the sucker open an check for popped or swollen caps. Take a look at the motherboard for same.

ASUS mobo?

go into the bios, change something and save it then reboot and change it back
has worked for me a few times for this symptom

sledgehammer???

ahh the old c*** is back to normal again.

..was mucking about with the BIOS, dunno exactly what I did but its shutting down properly now.

I was a bit worried there for a second. I didnt want to give up my mantle of having the oldest computer on qgl.

ASUS mobo?

Must be, it still works :p

Try disconnecting the powerswitch, and shorting the mobo pins with something (eg screwdriver.)

Ehehe I do this, thought I was the only dodgy bastard to do that