I signed up here just so I could post in this topic. This issue is STILL happening, and it's really getting frustrating.
I have a 2006 Mac Pro on OSX 10.5.8, however this has been happening since at least January. Same symptoms as others have described; Shutdown/Restart take 30-40 seconds. I can also confirm that Parallels is the issue.
First, I've been watching my Console window at shutdown, trying to find a common pattern. And here it is:
Next, to test and confirm this, I used a program called Lingon, which shows any User Agents or Daemons that are done at startup:
I deleted the Parallels ones, and BAM, Shutdown/Restart work within a second of telling OSX. Of course, then Parallels refuses to work, and I had to reinstall everything. Lo and behold, the issue returned as well.
Something has to be done here. This has been going on now for at least 8 months, and still hasn't been fixed. Directly adversely affecting the daily running of End Users is not good. Especially when Parallels is also causing THIS:
Note how it happens about twice a minute. That's filling up my Console logs, and keeps happening everyday. Uninstall Parallels, and the problem is gone.
I'm not the only one having these problems. There are topics on Apple Discussion forums and MacRumors with the same issues but one thing in common; Parallels.
So here I am. I will be glad to help test any potential fixes you have, but it's about time that this issue gets solved. Thank you.