Startup Trouble

[Guest]

When I start my computer, I get to the xp welcome/logo screen and it just
hangs there. I reboot, F8 and go to Last Good Configuration and manage to
get into the system and things go fine, but slow. When I shut down and try to
startup again, it's the same problem. I have done system restore, recovery
and reinstalled several times. I have done the selective startup with the
same results. There is no spyware, adware or antivirus programs running. My
printer and most other programs/peripherals have been uninstalled. I
upgraded from Windows 98 SE to XP Pro. Can someone help me?

 

[thecreator]

Hi msgulf,

Have you tried doing maintenance work on the Hard Drive? Have you tried a Registry Cleaner? http://www.tune-up.com/ TuneUp Utilities 2006 They have a 30-day free Trial Full-Functioning version.

Did you do a Clean Install of Windows XP Professional?

 

[Guest]

No I haven't tried a registry cleaner or a clean install of XP. Do I need to
uninstall XP in its current state before trying these?

 

[Keith Wheeler]

In addition to what thecreator says, you may want to "low level format" or
"factory format" your hard drive. I've had failing spots on hard drives
cause this kind of system slow down.

Generally speaking a fresh, clean install of WinXP is better and more
reliable than an upgrade.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In addition to what thecreator says, you may want to "low level
format" or "factory format" your hard drive.

Any attempt to low-level format a modern hard drive will result in
physically destroying the drive. Do *not* do this. Low-level formatting is a
tool that was used on drives many years ago.

There exist several utilities that zero-fill a drive, and unfortunately
some people call such utilities "low-level format." This is a particularly
unfortunate misnomer, because if somebody looks for one of these and gets an
old real low-level format utility, he will very likely end up with a dead
drive.

I've had failing spots
on hard drives cause this kind of system slow down.

Generally speaking a fresh, clean install of WinXP is better and more
reliable than an upgrade.

I disagree. Unlike with previous versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP
replaces almost everything, and usually works very well.

My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier
than a clean installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.

However, don't assume that doing an upgrade relieves you of the need to
backup your data, etc. before beginning. Before starting to upgrade, it's
always prudent to recognize that things like a sudden power loss can occur
in the middle of it and cause the loss of everything. For that reason you
should make sure you have backups and anything else you need to reinstall if
the worst happens.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

In addition to the other advice, if this is an older computer, you may want to run the XP Upgrade Advisor to make sure the system hardware is compatible with XP.

Description of the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307726

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[Guest]

Thanks to each of you for your responses. I'll try the Upgrade Advisor and
if there are no issues, I'll try the clean install. I'll let you know what
happens.