Computer Freezing on Startup

[Starman]

Hi,
When starting up my computer and as the programs startup in the system tray
it get about a third of the way and my computer just freezes, it stops. I
can't turn off the computer or do anything else. The only way to get it
going again is to pull the plug out of the electric wall socket. I have to
do this a number of times before it finally gets the comptuer to work
properly. It has been doing this for the past few days. Can you help and
tell me what's happened? I have uptodate anti-virus, firewall etc so nothing
has come up so can't figure out what is happening. I tried turning off the
anti-virus/firewall and the computer still continues freezing upon startup.
Thanks

 

[Guest]

Can you boot in safe mode? If so, you can have a look to the system event
viewer and see what happened during the last startup that hanged up. If you
are lucky, maybe you will see the last services that were started and disable
them one by one. You can also do a system restore.

To start in safe mode, see

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

This will describe a number of useful options like "Start with the last
known good config".

To see the system viewer, do:

Control Panel -> Administration tools -> Event Viewer -> System.

Also, you probably could stop your computer without unplugging it by
pressing and holding the Power button for a few seconds.

 

[Newbie Coder]

Do you have a list of items that are running on STARTUP? Surely its one of
them doing it, but without a list its difficult to say which one(s).

 

[Rock]

Hi,
When starting up my computer and as the programs startup in the system
tray
it get about a third of the way and my computer just freezes, it stops. I
can't turn off the computer or do anything else. The only way to get it
going again is to pull the plug out of the electric wall socket. I have to
do this a number of times before it finally gets the comptuer to work
properly. It has been doing this for the past few days. Can you help and
tell me what's happened? I have uptodate anti-virus, firewall etc so
nothing
has come up so can't figure out what is happening. I tried turning off the
anti-virus/firewall and the computer still continues freezing upon
startup.
Thanks

Test by trying some of the option on the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Restart the computer and as the BIOS splash screen disappears repeatedly tap
the F8 key until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears. Highlight Safe
Mode and press enter. Login to that account. Does it hang up or not? If
not that means something is loading in normal mode to cause the problem.
Also when did this problem start? Is it recent? If so try from Safe Mode
try a System Restore to before the problem started.

If that doesn't boot back into safe mode, undo that System Restore and do
some clean boot troubleshooting. This involved unchecking items in msconfig
that start in normal mode to determine which is the problem. Then you might
be able to remove it in safe mode.

How to Take Ownership of Files and Folders in XP

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421

How to set, view, change, or remove file and folder permissions in Windows
XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308418/en-us

How to set, view, change, or remove special permissions for files and
folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308419/en-us

 

[Elmo]

Hi,
When starting up my computer and as the programs start up in the system tray
it gets about a third of the way and my computer just freezes; it stops. I
can't turn off the computer or do anything else. The only way to get it
going again is to pull the plug out of the electric wall socket.

Press the Reset button on the front of the tower in for about six seconds.

I have to
do this a number of times before it finally gets the comptuer to work
properly. It has been doing this for the past few days. Can you help and
tell me what's happened? I have up-to-date anti-virus, firewall etc., nothing
has come up, so can't figure out what is happening. I tried turning off the
anti-virus/firewall and the computer still continues freezing upon startup.
Thanks

Run MSCONFIG and disable a few items in the StartUp area. Eventually
you may be able to narrow down what program is causing the freeze.
Remove, or reinstall that program.

 

[Newbie Coder]

Elmo,

Why are you so infactuated with MSCONFIG?

If the OP makes a simple mistake whilst using it then he's killed his
machine especially when he has your advice on 'disable a few items in the
StartUp area. Eventually
you may be able to narrow down what program is causing the freeze'

Secondly, his machine isn't booting correctly so he may not be able to
load/run this (MSCONFIG) application.

The above I suggest you don't do. Plus finding the rogue entry &
reinstalling is rubbish too. What happens if its a
virus/adware/maleware/spyware?

Elmo. Your answer is diabolical & OP I should disregard Elmo's post totally
as he doesn't have the slightest idea.

 

[Starman]

Thanks for the advice. I'm being a little overwhelmed as I not too
technically advanced on teh all this tech advice. I have a good grasp of
comp. hardware and software and some basic tech stuff. Can you please
explain in layman's terms?

I can't push reset button on tower cause there is no reset button, just an
on/off switch.

The problem only started a few days ago. I have not installed any new
software. I have uptodate firewall/anti-virus so they come up clean.
Evrything else is working fine except for this minor start-up problem.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Why are you so infactuated with MSCONFIG?

1) It's "infatuated".

2) Why aren't you quoting the post you are replying to? Are you a
complete idiot? An incomplete idiot?

 

[Elmo]

Press the Reset button on the front of the tower in for about six seconds.


Run MSCONFIG and disable a few items in the StartUp area. Eventually
you may be able to narrow down what program is causing the freeze.
Remove, or reinstall that program.

MSConfig is used for diagnostics. There's no program running under the
Startup tab that's necessary to start Windows. Others would suggest
that programs be stopped permanently by this method.. at least I
suggested it be used as a test, then the program be removed once it's
discovered.

You're just mad because a few regulars put you in your place the other
day (not I.). You need to work on your trolling skills.

 

[Guest]

If I'm not mistaken, when you go into Safe Mode, you'll lose all of your
restore points. You may want to restore your system to a date prior to the
problem occurring and then go into Safe Mode if that doesn't help.

Also, I've used Sandra Lite on a few occasions and it helped me to clear up
a problem or 2. Don't be alarmed if it gives you a long list of Tips. Most
of the things that Sandra Lite comes up with are inconsequential but I did
get a Tip for my monitor so that it no longer blinks on and off 5 times a
minute for about 10 seconds. It may help your problem and it may not.

 

[Rock]

If I'm not mistaken, when you go into Safe Mode, you'll lose all of your
restore points. You may want to restore your system to a date prior to
the
problem occurring and then go into Safe Mode if that doesn't help.

Also, I've used Sandra Lite on a few occasions and it helped me to clear
up
a problem or 2. Don't be alarmed if it gives you a long list of Tips.
Most
of the things that Sandra Lite comes up with are inconsequential but I did
get a Tip for my monitor so that it no longer blinks on and off 5 times a
minute for about 10 seconds. It may help your problem and it may not.

Sorry that is incorrect. Going into safe mode does not remove restore
points. System restore can be done in restore mode.

 

[Newbie Coder]

Have you just done a 16 hour day of coding, Grumpy. Didn't think so.

I came into this & a few other newsgroups to help out & to help me wind down
after a stressful day

If I have made any spelling mistakes its because I am pre-occupied with
other things.

 

[Newbie Coder]

Must have missed the slating, Elmo.

MSCONFIG should be used by the amateur because its dangerous. You don't
uncheck a few things & hope for the best

The utility mentioned above when disabling the items usually moves them to
the RUN- key to so-call disable them. If the utility is so good then why did
they miss it out of Windows 2000? Yes, I know the XP one works on there

I've supported Windows since 3.1 right the way upto Vista, been coding for
27 years, build networks in the UK & abroad, plus desktops/servers & if I am
not coding or setting up a network I support 24, 000 users. At home I
continue to code, been fighting viruses for 10 years, fought SPAM for the
same time, adware... & beta test for Microsot, Spybot, DAP & many other
applications. Computing is my life.

Maybe I should change my signature to my proper title, which will put you to
shame.

Newbie Coder
MCSD MCSE MCP BSc

(Impressed? Didn't think so)