laptop won't start up normally

[Guest]

I recently tried to install a Dell 540 photo printer on my Dell Inspiron 5000
laptop running Windows XP Home. I eventually got the laptop to recognize the
printer but it wouldn't print. I soon gave up and decided to uninstall the
drivers and software that goes with the printer. Now when I try to start up
my computer, it sometimes goes in circles (meaning it'll get so far, then
quit and restart again). It sometimes gets to the desktop, often after I had
shut it down for a while. Is there something wrong with my hard drive?
Would cleaning help? Thanks to anyone who can offer help.

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

First thing to try is a System Restore to the point where it was working
correctly.