Desktop does not fully load on startup

[AJ]

What could cause Windows XP SP2 to stop loading when computer is turned on.
The icons do not load on the desktop, and all I see is the background view.
The hard drive seems to be frozen. I have to turn off the computer, wait 5
seconds, then turn back on. Sometimes this fixes the computer, where it
boots all the way up, and sometimes, the computer "freezes" again, and I
have to turn off and start again.

AJ

 

[Kelly]

Dunno, it could depend on many things.

1. Desktop: Could be due to your updating your display drivers, if so try
a rollback via the Device Manager. More info here:

Restore Taskbar and Desktop to Default Functionality (Line 164)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q318027

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

2. How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP
How to Use Clean Boot Troubleshooting for Windows XP
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_conflicts.htm

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q307545

How to Disable a Service that Prevents Windows XP from Booting
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q244/9/05.asp

Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to
Start Win XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

3. What is running in the background during a boot?

Windows XP Startup Programs Tracker
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_u.htm#xp_util

Added tips:

Check for an option to not having the icon load in the System Tray via the
program(s) in question.

Other options for removal:

Go to Start/Run and type in: msconfig. Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck
accordingly. Then run this script to remove the disabled items from the
registry.

Clear Disabled Items from Msconfig Startup and Selective Startup (Line 148)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Or...remove the runkeys from here: Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Troubleshooting, Removing and/or Cleaning Add or Remove Programs
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_a.htm#addremove

Troubleshooting the Notification Area
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_n.htm#na


--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

You've got a virus. When you boot is successful, run a virus program.

 

[JK]

It could be a virus as one poster suggested. But if this happens when you
are booting your system from a cold state for the first time, it could mean
that your power supply is on the fritz. I had exactly this problem when
booting the machine first thing in the morning. A subsequent boot usually
went just fine, or if I stopped the boot, went into the bios and waited a
bit for everything to warm up, then it would boot ok. I finally traced the
problem to the power supply which just wasn't providing the juice the
machine needed throughout the boot process. I replaced it and the problem
was solved.

JK