Computer Won't Start Except in Safe Mode

[XP Newbie]

Every time we try to start the computer, I get this
message:

"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not
start successfully. A recent hardware or software change
might have caused this.

"If your computer stopped responding, restarted
unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect
your files and folders, choose Last Known Good
Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that
worked.

"If a previous startup was interrupted due to a power
failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed,
or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose
Start Windows Normally."

Then it lists various start-up options for us, including
Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Last Known Good
Configuration. We can get into safe mode, but then what?
When we select Last Known Good Configuration, or startup
normally, we get the Windows XP window, with the three
scrolling dots across the bar, and it stays on the window
indefinitely.

First, does anyone know what the problem is?
Second, and more important, what can we do to make it
better? This computer was a gift and we don't have the CD
for XP...is there anything else we can do/try?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Somehow some of your operating system has become
corrupted. What computer and model do you have? You will
need the Operating System cd to repair windows and recover
your data. Are you still in warranty? Call tech-support
for new cd's.

 

[Paul B T Hodges]

Have you added or replaced any hardware in the pc or has windows xp been
copied from another system ?

Just before this happened did you install any new programs, or apply any
updates, patches or drivers ?
If so, then uninstall any new software through control panel/add remove
programs
If you've updated any drivers go into control panel/system/hardware/device
manger
Open a device group by clicking the plus sign and double click the device,
click the driver tab and select rollback Driver.
If you had just applied a windows update, you could try removing this
through control panel/add remove programs.

Check for any drivers the system may not be happy with as they haven't got
the windows xp stamp of approval

click
start/run
sigverif

Paul

 

[Paul B T Hodges]

If no joy from the previous suggestions,

Try running

sfc /scannow

This will try and recover files from the \windows\system32\dllcache
directory

If however it prompts you to enter the release cd, its found something it
cant recover.
If so, I'm afraid its a trip to the store to buy a copy of xp.
Afterall the pc WAS free, and its not a very good position to be in, not
being able to recover your operating system!

Paul