Can you use the Windows key on the keyboard to bring up the start menu? If so, bring up the start menu that way and do a shut down. If you can't access it that way, hit ctl-alt-delete. In windows 7, you'll have the option of a red button in the lower right corner to shut down. In XP, you can start the task manager (you may need to click start task manager or it may launch when you hit ctl-alt-del) and shut down from there. Once it powers down, start it again and see if that takes care of it.

An additional point to mention: Thanks to everyone's advice on this forum, we learned many great tips that manuals either don't mention or they gloss over. Several posters have mentioned to empty the remaining water from the detergent dispenser in order to reduce the chance of mildew. Along with wiping down the gasket, leaving the door open, etc., we dutifully emptied the detergent dispenser (usually about a teaspoon or so of water left in there.) Only recently did we accidentally find that we can remove not only the dispenser that holds detergent, but the entire drawer that includes the detergent, bleach, and softener dispensers. And when we empty the entire drawer, we easily get a quarter cup of water. That's way more water than what's left around the gasket or on the inside of the door. This may have been mentioned in previous posts and we just missed it, but maybe mentioning it again might help a few more folks. Of course, we may just be the last folks in the universe to find this out! :)

ppalmerjr, I believe, but am not sure, that the Start switch is a membrane switch on the main circuit board located beneath the plastic push button. Perhaps the membrane is just dirty or completely faulty. If you have an extended warranty, call for service. If you don't have an extended warranty, I would take it apart and see if I could possible clean the membrane switch or at least try to see what's at fault. If you use the gardenweb search function, you will find a link to a video of how to dismantle the Cabrio. If the switch is faulty and it is part of the main circuit board, you're talking hundreds of dollars to replace it just to get the on/off switch to work again....and they call this progress......go figure. Hopefully someone smarter than I will chime in with a much easier & cheaper solution to your problem, but cheap & easy solutions to these electronic appliances has become few & far in between. Good Luck.

Thanks Larsi! I know ... I admit Miele seems more solid but I also feel it could be better in terms of features. The Bosch Vision 800 is a little more solid than the 500 (some metal vs chrome etc ...). The door seals I've seen did not look deformed but they were in machines that had never been used. I'm not saying Miele needs bells and whistles but I can't understand why it would not at least do a profile wash (don't most euro machines do that??). Or a pre soak? Plus little things like the drum turning after the final spin to fluff clothes a little and a few others are nice to have. I've also read (but not confirmed with Bosch) that the Bosch uses the heater is all settings but Miele does not in the normal setting. Bosch has slightly lower temps in the low range and I'm wondering if that's how they get around the energy star thing. I really don't think I'll have a machine for 20 years (even if it is still working like a champ). I know me and I'll want something newer in (probably) 10 years. If Bosch gives me the features I'm looking for and will give me 10 solid years - that may be good. My fear is I'll choose Bosch for the features and it won't be good for 10 years. If Miele runs their 10 year warranty upgrade for free next week - maybe I'll just do it ... the value of that is $569 per machine plus 10 years worry free use. My current machine has started making strange noises when the drum is turning and I'm sure it is no longer spinning at top speed so I'm going to have to hurry up and decide before I'm left machineless! Thanks again - opinions like this are very helpful!