Win XP Home Will Not Start After SP2 Install

[Guest]

I hope someone can help with this problem. Several weeks ago I had a system
crash (unknown cause, but possibly software related) on a custom computer
with an AMD Athlon 1.2 Ghz processor and Gigabyte motherboard (both about 2
years old) that was previously running Win XP Home SP1a with an update to SP2
installed. This configuration had been running very stably for over six
months. After the crash, I was forced to reformat the HD and reinstall Win XP
SP1a. All went fine until the automatic upgrade for SP2 was installed.
Afterwards, the computer would go through POST and freeze at the black WinXP
startup screen (sometimes all black, sometimes with a "faded" view of the
logo). Restart would allow me to go to safe mode, but no problems were noted
therein. I then attempted to load a CD of WinXP Home with SP2 already
integrated. Same problem. I have checked the system for viruses with no hits,
and the BIOS and drivers for all hardware are current. Currently I have been
able to restore the system by removing SP2 from my OEM installation, but this
does not explain why the system allowed me to run SP2 for so long without
problem and now will not accept it. I have checked all of the applicable KB
articles that I could find with no luck. Appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks!

 

[AJR]

Pending other replies - being able to boot in safe mode and not normally
indicates a driver problem. There may have been a system configuration
change during the period of ""good" operation which, in combination with the
"crash" is now problematic.
If a driver - you may be able to determine which by (in safe mode)
modifying boot.ini to use the switch "\sos" - to indicate driver loading.