This problem occurs when running PCLinuxOS 2007, either from the hard disk (fully updated) or from the live CD. But it happens only with PCLinuxOS -- it works fine with Windows XP, Mandriva 2008, Linux Mint, and Linspire. Problem is, PCLinuxOS is the one I use.

On shutdown, it usually stops for several minutes on "Syncing hardware clock to system time", then finally goes on and stops for good (well, for at least 15 minutes or so, anyway) on "Shutting down LVM". But occasionally it'll stop at other points instead.

I have a NC6230, an almost identical machine, that doesn't have this problem.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.