Almost but not quite!

[Colin Jack]

I have a strange XP issue that I'm hoping some guru can solve:

My computer was working fine when I switched it off to go on holiday last
week. When I returned and switched it on, it boots as far as displaying
"Applying computer settings ..." and then thats it! I can drag the dialog
box around on the screen and background services (like anti-virus) appear to
be running fine.

1. I am running XP Pro SP2 with the latest patches
2. I can boot okay using 'Safe with networking'
3. I have tried using msconfig to boot without loading startup items - no
improvement
4. I have tried using the install CD to 'repair existing installation' - no
improvement
5. I have tried hanging garlic over the screen and putting a spike through
the keyboard ....

Any suggestions very gratefully received!

Thanks

Colin

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a strange XP issue that I'm hoping some guru can solve:

My computer was working fine when I switched it off to go on holiday
last week. When I returned and switched it on, it boots as far as
displaying "Applying computer settings ..." and then thats it! I can
drag the dialog box around on the screen and background services
(like anti-virus) appear to be running fine.

1. I am running XP Pro SP2 with the latest patches
2. I can boot okay using 'Safe with networking'
3. I have tried using msconfig to boot without loading startup items
- no improvement
4. I have tried using the install CD to 'repair existing
installation' - no improvement
5. I have tried hanging garlic over the screen and putting a spike
through the keyboard ....

Any suggestions very gratefully received!

Have any APC software installed on it (APC UPS..)?

 

[Colin Jack]

No .. have an APC UPS on it but using the inbuilt XP power management to
monitor it

Colin

 

[Phillips]

Check this one first:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329457

Else, disconnect all netorking devices - wifi, modem, or

Enable all (or one at a time for debugging) XP services (set them on
Automatic) while in Safe Mode.
Michael

 

[Colin Jack]

Hmm ... checked out the knowledgebase article .. but I'm not even getting to
the login prompt! I'm also fully patched.

Will try disconnecting everything

Colin

Check this one first:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329457

Else, disconnect all netorking devices - wifi, modem, or

Enable all (or one at a time for debugging) XP services (set them on
Automatic) while in Safe Mode.
Michael

 

[Shenan Stanley]

No .. have an APC UPS on it but using the inbuilt XP power management
to monitor it

Ah well - the old APC software is KNOWN to cause this problem. If you do
not have it or it's services installed - no worries.

 

[Phillips]

Another possible cause: System time - you have to have it to date in BIOS;
of course, it's very unlikely to have the system time reseted to some time
in the past unless you change the CMOS battery or reset BIOS.
Michael

Hmm ... checked out the knowledgebase article .. but I'm not even getting
to the login prompt! I'm also fully patched.

Will try disconnecting everything

Colin

Check this one first:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329457

Else, disconnect all netorking devices - wifi, modem, or

Enable all (or one at a time for debugging) XP services (set them on
Automatic) while in Safe Mode.
Michael