got this advice - may help some if they'e still strying
"you need to make sure that
you have permissions on the computer you are trying to
shutdown. For example (unless you are using a domain) you need
to create an account identical to your own (same username
and password) on the remote computer, so that when you
execute the command you don't get the "Access denied error
message".
Also, if you are using XP Pro or 2000, check the Local
Security Settings. In the Control Panel, select Administrative
Tools and open Local Security Settings. In Local Policies >
User Rights Assignments there is a section called "Force
shutdown from a remote system". By default, this is set to
Administrators only. So you need to make sure that you have
administrative privileges to perform the shutdown (or add
extra groups such as users, power users or even everyone)."
However when I am trying with all that set right so far as I know I get an X dialog box off the menu while trying to browse for computers (since it lets you) saying "Directory Service not available". Anyone know which service it refers to - off to msconfig hunt now but maybe someone knows....