Computer refuses to shut down/log off

I have a MacBook running the latest version of OS X and it's exhibiting some very peculiar behavior. As the title suggests, it refuses to shut off or allow users to log off, furthermore, some applications don't open or work properly. I ran a verify disk and permissions and they've come back with zero errors. What should be my next step in troubleshooting these issues?

Hello,
If your MacBook refuses to Shut Down, try this using the keyboard command for Force Quit. Command + Option + Esc. That will bring up the Force Quit window. If there any applications running, they will be listed there and your computer will not shut down until those processes stop.
As for applications not opening. Try locating and send their preference files to the Trash. I'll use iPhoto for an example. It's preference file looks like this:
com.apple.iphoto.plist It's located here: MacintoshHD/Users/YourName/Library/Preferences. In that Preferences folder are the .plist folders for the applications you use. Send the .plist files to the Trash. It's ok.. your MacBook will create new .plist files for you You will have to reset your preferences on these applications but considering they aren't opening anyway, this might help.
Also, if you haven't already done so get a good disk utility that you can run to clean out caches and log files and repair permissions all in one fell swoop. I use Onyx, it's free and it's here: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/systemdiskutilities/onyx.html Download and install Onyx. Run the Maintenance and Cleaning scripts and reboot.
Hopefully something I've suggested will help.
Carolyn

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Mac wont shut down,log off,restart, dashboard and spotlight not working fro

Hi I keep getting this problem..
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I have to hold the power butt=on for more than 10secs to shut it down, which I do not like doing.
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HI,
Try booting from your install disk and checking the hard drive for errors.
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger and later) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
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Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
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HT1199 my computer displays grey screen and apple logo for 10 minutes or more during start up and shut down. sometimes it refuses to shut down . this issues started after installing OS lion. what do i do?

my computer displays grey screen and apple logo for 10 minutes or more during start up and shut down. sometimes it refuses to shut down . this issues started after installing OS lion. what do i do?

I don't think it's exactly an incomplete installation brody, but most likely in-correct permissions somewhere along the line that either happened, or became magnified during the upgrade. Also, it could be corruption as well.
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If you have an optical drive, make sure there is no disc in it.
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Hi everybody !
For some people the problem is that their computer refuse to turn on...but mine refuse to shut down and it could stay on the blue screen with the wheel turning all the night...
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Hi, Brenda. You have found the G3 Dual USB iBook Forum, but don't cry. The iBook G4 Forum can be found here:
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I have an iMac that I purchased back in 2010 and over the past 9 month or less my computer just started shutting down while someone was in the process or working on it. What could this come from? Is there a simple solutions to this problem?

I have an iMac that I purchased back in 2010 and over the past 9 month or less my computer just started shutting down while someone was in the process or working on it. What could this come from? Is there a simple solutions to this problem?

Which model iMac do you have? http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1758 How to identify iMac models
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Computer refuses to shut down/log off

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