ubuntu doesn't shut down

[renaaj at optonline.net]

> renaaj at optonline.net wrote:
> | Anyone have an idea on this?  I installed ubuntu again and
> | yet again the act of selecting shutdown from ubuntu (1)
> | doesn't power down the laptop, (2) it renders the laptop's
> | power button useless, and (3) I have to take the battery of
> | the laptop in order to turn it off.
> 
> Are you holding the power button down for eight seconds?
> 

i didn't expect a repsonse like that.  Yes it did work when I tried your suggestion, but.... does this mean that Ubuntu doesn't have the ability to shut down a computer?  Tell me thats not true.

rena