When Windows XP Takes a Long Time to go into StandBy Mode
Well, if you click on Start and Turn Off Computer, it will bring up a screen asking whether you want to go into StandBy, Restart, or Turn Off. Sometimes I have noticed that it starts to take a really long time for this screen to come up. I have noticed that this usually happens when my Recycle Bin is really full. After emptying it, this screen comes up much faster.
I’m not sure what the underlying reason is, but there is a potential solution for you.