Problems Logging Into (and shutting down) XP

[EvilBill]

Recently I've begun experiencing severe problems with Windows XP (SP2
installed).
It won't shut down, at all - it sits on the 'Windows is shutting down'
screen forever (I've left it for hours with no change) - and when I hit
the Reset button or power off and on again, after logging in, Windows
freezes after a few seconds. I can still move the mouse but nothing's
clickable, can't even use Ctrl-Alt-Del. It never unfreezes so I just
have to hit the rest button or power off again. This happens every time
I restart.

I *can* boot up in Safe mode, so I was able to disable everything
loading at startup except for the bare essentials, and that worked for a
few hours and then the problem re-occurred again.

System specs:
AMD Sempron 3300+
1Gb PC3200 DDR
nVidia Geforce 6200 graphics
Creative SB Live soundcard
250 gig SATA HD, two EIDE HDs plugged in via USB enclosures
XP Professional SP2

I've tried reinstalling Windows but it makes no difference, even after a
reformat and clean install. This problem's only started occurring in the
past couple of weeks, while I've had the PC for over a year.

So, could someone who knows a solution, or who's had a similar problem,
offer some advice?

I really hope I don't have dying hardware since I can't afford to
replace any components!

--
--
* I always hope for the best. Experience, unfortunately, has taught me
to expect the worst.

Yahoo: evilbill_agqx
Web: http://www.evilbill.org.uk

 

[AJR]

Problems with normal mode but good "running" in safe mode indicates a driver
problem - also check for malaria, etc.

 

[Pop`]

Recently I've begun experiencing severe problems with Windows XP (SP2
installed).
It won't shut down, at all - it sits on the 'Windows is shutting down'
screen forever (I've left it for hours with no change) - and when I
hit the Reset button or power off and on again, after logging in,
Windows freezes after a few seconds. I can still move the mouse but
nothing's clickable, can't even use Ctrl-Alt-Del. It never unfreezes
so I just have to hit the rest button or power off again. This
happens every time I restart.

I *can* boot up in Safe mode, so I was able to disable everything
loading at startup except for the bare essentials, and that worked
for a few hours and then the problem re-occurred again.

System specs:
AMD Sempron 3300+
1Gb PC3200 DDR
nVidia Geforce 6200 graphics
Creative SB Live soundcard
250 gig SATA HD, two EIDE HDs plugged in via USB enclosures
XP Professional SP2

I've tried reinstalling Windows but it makes no difference, even
after a reformat and clean install. This problem's only started
occurring in the past couple of weeks, while I've had the PC for over
a year.
So, could someone who knows a solution, or who's had a similar
problem, offer some advice?

I really hope I don't have dying hardware since I can't afford to
replace any components!

--

That doesn't really sound like a hardware issue unless it's related to
something overheating but it doesn't sound like that, either.

When you reinstalled, did you go the whole route and boot from the CD,
delete and recreate the partitions and then fomrat? If you didn't, you may
not have gotten a clean install. In other words, some files were still
around that you possibly didn't want/need.

If it were me, I think I'd go the whole, complete install route again. Then
get the firewall turned on, and your AV installed before you went online and
started updating the rest of windows. Never allow your system to touch the
internet without the firewall turned on and some sort of antivirus running.

Then get email going and come back and let us know how things are.

Pop`

 

[Linda in Iowa]

I don't think it is any hardware problems. Mine also fails to shut down
many times and this has been going on for months. I think it is a bug
somewhere and every time I do an update I hope it will cure itself.

 

[EvilBill]

Problems with normal mode but good "running" in safe mode indicates a
driver problem - also check for malaria, etc.

Yeah, it looks like it was a driver problem - might have been my sound
drivers for some odd reason. I pulled the SB Live, did a repair install
and went back to my USB headset and it's been fine ever since. Fingers
crossed it stays that way!

--
--
* I always hope for the best. Experience, unfortunately, has taught me
to expect the worst.

Yahoo: evilbill_agqx
Web: http://www.evilbill.org.uk

 

[EvilBill]

When you reinstalled, did you go the whole route and boot from the CD,
delete and recreate the partitions and then fomrat? If you didn't,
you may not have gotten a clean install. In other words, some files
were still around that you possibly didn't want/need.

Yup, I did a repartition and reformat (wanted to repartition anyway

If it were me, I think I'd go the whole, complete install route
again. Then get the firewall turned on, and your AV installed before
you went online and started updating the rest of windows. Never
allow your system to touch the internet without the firewall turned
on and some sort of antivirus running.

Yeah, sound advice always. First thing I did when I got my router was to
ensure the firewall was set up properly.

--
--
* I always hope for the best. Experience, unfortunately, has taught me
to expect the worst.

Yahoo: evilbill_agqx
Web: http://www.evilbill.org.uk