Mac won't turn off in the shut down screen!... :(

[farrowal]

Hello, i have a macbook with osx and when i go to turn it off, all the icons disappear and i am left with just my desktop picture and that small little loading black thing. I don't what to do, i have tried waiting a long time but it never turns off, i usually end up having to hold the shut down button which feels dangerous to my comp.

What should i do... is it a virus or something else?
oh, and sometimes some of my programs wont shut down even after force quit....

Please help, and thanks

 

[Dale Cooper]

all the icons disappear and i am left with just my desktop picture and that small little loading black thing

Have had the same thing happening to me from time to time lately. Don't think it's caused by any malware, but if anyone has a way to fix it I'd very much appreciate it as well!?