XP Start up

[Jason K]

After starting my computer, the system boots, but then
freezes on the "microsoft Windows XP" screen. I can still
move my mouse, but am unable to gain access to any
programs. I have tried to boot from last known good
config...no luck. Same with a safe boot. Seems to me that
the system is booting correctly, but there is a problem
running XP. The computer didn't come with a boot disk
(just system recovery). E-diag. showed no hardware errors,
so I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions?

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Unfortunately, without an XP CD, there's not much we can offer because it
has additional tools for repairing the setup in-place without destroying
your current setup and has tools for recovering or repairing various boot
issues.

If you have a relatively new system, it might behoove you to make an
investment in the retail version of XP. While there are not guarantees it
would resolve the current issue, it does give you additional non-destructive
options to try before being forced to wipe your current setup and start
over. Personally, when I'm purchasing a new system, a lack of an actual XP
CD is a deal breaker but you'd have had no way of knowing about this issue
with OEMs unless you were a frequent reader of these boards.

You can try disconnecting things from the system one by one and try to boot
as it's possible some hardware item or peripheral is the source of the
problem. Don't disconnect the mouse, keyboard or graphics card however.

Other than that, you're only choice is to use the recovery disk that came
with your system.

Beyond what I've stated above about purchasing an actual XP CD for the
future, there is something else you can do to protect yourself. Once you've
a clean install of XP and have reinstalled any additional applications and
are sure the system is properly running, you can make an image of your setup
using third party software such as Drive Image, www.powerquest.com or Ghost,
www.symantec.com; check websites for information about versions compatible
with XP.

Then, as long as you backup your data to a separate partition and preferably
someplace off your current hard drive in case it should fail, in the event
of circumstances such as these, you need only restore that image file and
then restore your data backup.