No problem, I still appreciate your help. No, I don't have access to the console, so I can't see that message if it's there, but I did do a similar test already by adding the "time /t" commands with output redirected to a log file and thus verified that my script is indeed being executed, however the "net stop" commands in the same script seem to have no effect when shutdown is via shutdown.exe. I suspect it's some sort of Windows authentication/privilege issue because if I run the shutdown from the GUI, it shows the shutdown being done by NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM in the Event Viewer and the net stop commands work as expected, but if I shutdown via shutdown.exe, it shows the shutdown actually being run by my oracle user account - details are in the attached spreadsheet, but not sure if it will make it to the list so below is a text version although it will probably be a bit difficult to read. Date Time Source Type Category Event User Computer Description Shutdown from Windows GUI (Start > Shutdown) 5/12/2008 12:37:24 PM USER32 Information None 1074 NEWIM-DBS01\oracle NEWIM-DBS01 The process Explorer.EXE has initiated the restart of computer NEWIM-DBS01 on behalf of user NEWIM-DBS01\oracle for the following reason: Other (Planned) Reason Code: 0x85000000 Shutdown Type: restart Comment: Brandon - testing again" 5/12/2008 12:37:27 PM USER32 Information None 1074 NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM NEWIM-DBS01 The process svchost.exe has initiated the restart of computer NEWIM-DBS01 on behalf of user NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM for the following reason: No title for this reason could be found Reason Code: 0x80070020 Shutdown Type: restart Comment: " 5/12/2008 12:37:27 PM Service Control Manager Information None 7035 NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM NEWIM-DBS01 The OracleDBConsolecsdprd service was successfully sent a stop control. 5/12/2008 12:38:03 PM Service Control Manager Information None 7036 N/A NEWIM-DBS01 The OracleDBConsolecsdprd service entered the stopped state. 5/12/2008 12:38:04 PM Service Control Manager Information None 7035 NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM NEWIM-DBS01 The OracleServiceCSDPRD service was successfully sent a stop control. 5/12/2008 12:38:13 PM Service Control Manager Information None 7036 N/A NEWIM-DBS01 The OracleServiceCSDPRD service entered the stopped state. 5/12/2008 12:38:15 PM Service Control Manager Information None 7036 N/A NEWIM-DBS01 The OracleOraDb10g_home1TNSListener service entered the stopped state. 5/12/2008 12:38:15 PM Service Control Manager Information None 7035 NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM NEWIM-DBS01 The OracleOraDb10g_home1TNSListener service was successfully sent a stop control. 5/12/2008 12:38:20 PM EventLog Information None 6006 N/A NEWIM-DBS01 The Event log service was stopped. Shutdown from command line: shutdown /r /t 30 /c "Brandon - Testing Oracle shutdown 2" /d p:4:1 5/12/2008 5:01:27 PM Application Popup Information None 26 N/A NEWIM-DBS01 Application popup: System Shutdown : The system is shutting down. Please save all work in progress and log off. Any unsaved changes will be lost. This shutdown was initiated by NEWIM-DBS01\oracle. Shutdown will begin in 30 seconds. Shutdown message: Brandon - Testing Oracle shutdown 2. 5/12/2008 5:01:27 PM USER32 Information None 1074 NEWIM-DBS01\oracle NEWIM-DBS01 The process winlogon.exe has initiated the restart of computer NEWIM-DBS01 on behalf of user NEWIM-DBS01\oracle for the following reason: Application: Maintenance (Planned) Reason Code: 0x84040001 Shutdown Type: restart Comment: Brandon - Testing Oracle shutdown 2" 5/12/2008 5:01:57 PM Service Control Manager Information None 7036 N/A NEWIM-DBS01 The DSM SA Event Manager service entered the stopped state. 5/12/2008 5:01:58 PM EventLog Information None 6006 N/A NEWIM-DBS01 The Event log service was stopped. -----Original Message----- From: Yong Huang [mailto:yong321@xxxxxxxxx] When you run shutdown.exe, do you see "Running shutdown script" on console? Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message or attachments hereto. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of this company shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l