On startup XP stops at "WELCOME" screen

[Guest]

I have been running Windows XP home for about 2 years now w/o problem. I
have kept current on all updates and patches. I am running a DELL Dimension
2350. About a month ago my computer began to stop during the startup at the
"WELCOME" screen. At that point I can turn off the computer, restart it a
few minutes later and Windows usually loads normally. For example this
morning I turned on the computer, XP failed to load stopping at the WELCOME
screen. I turned it off, turned it back on and once again XP failed to load.
I turned on the computer a third time and this time XP loaded properly. On
average, I would say that my system fails to start property once out of every
5 or 6 times I turn it on. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

do this first:
when you log to desktop, press the windows logo key and the pause/break
key....The system properties will open - go to advanced tab - select settings
on "Startup and Recovery" - startup and recovery window will open, here
uncheck automatiucally restart - go out with ok

Now restart your computer...You may notice that a error message probably
will popup...we need the information provide by this popup

or you can try to restore you system to the last Known good
configuation..this usally fix the problem...

 

[thecreator]

Hi George,

Have you run the Chkdsk Utility? You will need to schedule a Scan. It
needs to be done before it fully boots up. Have you scan for viruses and
Spyware?

 

[Guest]

what are the results when you boot to safe mode instead...?

 

[Guest]

Hi LFR:
I followed your directions. When I restarted my computer after unchecking
auto restart, the computer restarted normally with no messages. Also, one of
the first things I did was to try to restore my system. Since I had delayed
doing anything about the problem for a couple of weeks, I tried to find a
restore point a couple of weeks earlier. I could get System Restore to work
.. . . it kept telling me that it couldn't restore at the point I had
selected. I didn't try to restore to a point one or two days earlier since I
had been experiencing the problem at that time

 

[Guest]

Hi Creator:

I have run chkdsk a couple of times since the first thing I thought was that
some had corrupted the boot record (or whatever it is called). Also, I have
been using Spybot, AdAware and the Microsoft spyware utility (now called MS
Defender) for some time now.

 

[Guest]

Hi Databaseben:

I haven't tried booting up in safe mode since this is an intermitant
problem. If I booted up in safe mode, I wouldn't know whether the computer
had booted up normally or whether the problem was just passed over.

 

[thecreator]

Hi George,

Suggestion: If System Restore doesn't work as is, because of Startup
programs, do the following:

Start then Run and type in msconfig and click OK.
Click on Startup and click Disable All. Click Apply.
Click on Services. Check Hide All Microsoft Services then click Disable
All. Click Apply.
Click Close and reboot. No Startup programs should be loading save for
Microsoft's.
Bring up Task Manager and make sure. If there are any that started,
Highlight and End Process.
Now go Start then Run and type in msconfig and click OK.
Click Launch System Restore.

See if this works for you.