Windows XP stops before the login screen

[etoel]

XP pro SP2.

Windows stops just before showing the login screen (welcome screen with
the pictures). This is happening in about 50% of the startiups. Restarting
the machines helps, but may also result in the same freeze.
This behavior is recent, it has been working like clockwork for almost 2
years.
What should I look for?

Thanks in advance

 

[John John]

I can't offer a concrete suggestion right now, but MAKE SURE that your
important data is backed up! These type of mysterious problems are
often a precursor to a failing hard drive! That doesn't mean that this
is the cause of the problem but take appropriate precautions while you can.

Are any errors showing in the Event Log when the computer starts? I
would suggest running a drive diagnostic utility from the drive
manufacturer and a chkdsk on the drive in question.

John

 

[Guest]

Maybe it's software though...
I had a similar problem, except that most of the time the freeze-ups
happened when logging in.
I also couldn't install IE7.
At one point I checked the installed programs list and found 2 toolbars -
the MS toolbar for IE6, and a "developer tool bar". I figured that the MS
toolbar's functionality was now built into IE7 and that I didn't need it
anymore, so I it. For good measure, I got rid of the other one as well.
And lo and behold, I was able to install IE7.
As a pleasant side effect, the login crashes stopped, too.

All that crashing probably messed up the drive though because a couple of
weeks later I a program froze the system, I performed a hard reset, and then
the computer wouldn't start again anymore.
There was extenisve drive corruption, and now my registry is messed up, I
still can't boot.

So yes, by all means, do back up your data immediately.

 

[John John]

It could be just about anything, I don't know why it happens but the
intermittent nature of the problem leaves me with a strong suspicion
that failing hardware might be at fault. Like the old vacuum cleaner or
TV set that sometimes doesn't start unless you give it a kick or a sharp
whack on the side!

John

 

[Guest]

Maybe, but in my case the login problem would either not happen at all
[rare], or happen between one and four times per boot-up attempt [most of the
time].
And it went totally away after I uninstalled those 2 toolbars.

To check the drive, the following software can be run at the DOS prompt [so
yes, you'll have to make DOS boot floppy or CD that includes this program]:

hdat2all_4_52 [http://www.hdat2.com/download.html]

It doesn't have a GUI, and may look a bit overwhelming at first, but it's
free and works pretty well. Moreover, it can read the S.M.A.R.T. status of
the drive - it'll say something like SMART OK if it's good - so as long as
that's ok, chances are that your drive is mechanically all right.
Otherwise... get a new one.