Windows Startup Hangup

[Mal]

My neighbor`s computer has developed a problem she can`t solve (nor can
I). It`s a Dell with XP Home installed. When she started the computer in
the past a user sign-in window came up and she had to click on the user
name to open. Yesterday the computer,on startup, started skipping the
sign-in window (it flashes for a fraction of a second) and goes directly
to the window saying "windows is starting up" - but it doesn`t. It just
hangs in that window and does nothing. I`ve been able to start it a
couple of times by monkeying around with F2 or F12 (I don`t know exactly
what I did but I can`t repeat it consistantly.) On one occasion when I
did get it started I installed SP2 (which was not on the computer
before). I thought that might help correct the problem but it didn`t. I
haven`t been able to start it at all since. (Haven`t tried too much til
I checked here to see if someone can help.) TIA

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

When the pc is booting up (after the BIOS has done its POST test and
before Windows starts loading),
Tap F8 Function key to get bootup options. Tap & keep repeat tapping F8 !

You will actually see "Disable automatic restart on system failure" as an option .
Select that and give it a try.

Once restart on failure is disabled, you should get a STOP error with
text --- at the next problem.
Write it all down, and then start searching for the final solution.

Take a look at the Troubleshooting Windows STOP messages at Aumha.org

http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm

The system acts as if it is freezing, but it is most likely in a neverending restart loop.

Do post back with your progress.
HTH