Has anyone ever had this happen and what do you do to prevent it from happening?

I have my scene and lights all set up then press render

the box states "loading texture part" and then "loading objects" and then

"rendering shadow map" 

and when I return an hour later it still says "rendering shadow map" and nothing is happening
so I come back an hour later and it still states:

"Rendering shadow map"

WTF?

what causes this and what can prevent it from occurring?

It it's taking so long, you could as well switch to raytraced shadows...

Depends what you set the shadowmap light settings to.

0.01shadow map bias, 4096 map = 6-12 hours just to render the map. Then the render starts..
1.00 shadow map bias, 256 map = a few seconds ...

Just an example. Not hard fact

On the other hand,,, if you are using below Poser6sr3, you may have locked up in an infinite loop and you'll be rendering a map next month. P6sr3 should let you cancel.

> Quote - Depends what you set the shadowmap light settings to. > > 0.01shadow map bias, 4096 map = 6-12 hours just to render the map. Then the render starts.. > 1.00 shadow map bias, 256 map = a few seconds ... > > Just an example. Not hard fact > > On the other hand,,, if you are using below Poser6sr3, you may have locked up in an infinite loop and you'll be rendering a map next month. P6sr3 should let you cancel.

first thinks for responding :-D

since I'm using poser 7 and you've responded I thought I should ask you a question since Angelsinger(who's a friend) recommended you as a source on the subject
and my question is this

what would you recommend to obtain more realistic looking skin?

I used blinns on my last uploads
one of Michelle which you can view here

I am quite proud of the way she came out, but I've seen your work and would like to know what you recommend so I can make my Michelle as realistic looking as your ladies.

see material room setup that I used on the skin(face and neck only) above.

incidentally, both myself and angelsinger compared notes on this since she was trying to get more realistic skin on her last upload as well.

Attached Link: http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/shop/itemdetails/-/?item=5520&_m=d

That's a big question. This is what I use but cannot take credit for it. And would not want to spend 2 years trying to catch up to it, either. Sometimes its better to stand on the shoulders of genius...for I hope obvious reasons.

I have 2 lightsets and an FBM in my freestuff of you really want my look

Quote - ...both myself and angelsinger compared notes on this since she was trying to get more realistic skin on her last upload as well.

LOL! I hope nobody thinks my image (with the sparklies :p) was my attempt at realistic skin!  hehehe

Y'know, I didn't even consider realism of textures when I worked on that one... Just wanted to nail the right 'feeling'. 

But what can I say, you are in good hands with richardson.
He's the master in this department!