Comment 77 for bug 882817

I have the same problem on the latest build of Virtual Box v4.1.12. In both 11.10 and 12.04 beta2 I install Ubuntu Server x86 with nothing but the defaults selected and I get the following:

sudo shutdown now
[sudo] password for xxx:
Broadcast message from [user]@[server]
(/dev/tty1) at 10:36 ...

Skip stopping firewall: ufw (not enabled)
 * Asking all remaining processes to terminate... [ OK ]
 * Killing all remaining processes... [fail]
 * Will now switch to singler-user mode
[user]@[server]:~#

So matter how many times I run sudo shutdown now I get the exact same thing and the server never shuts down. I've tried several of the suggestions above, but given how simple my setup it, I would imagine it should be fairly easy to replicate this.

VirtualBox Settings:
512 MB
VT-x/AMD-V, Nested Paging, PAE/NX
Video Memory: 12 MB
IDE Controller (CD)
SATA Controller (HDD)

PIIX3
Hardware clock in UTC time
Enable absolute pointing device

Bridged Adapter
Intel 82566DM-2 Gigabit Network Connection
Intel Pro/1000 MT Desktop (82540EM)

Enable USB Controller