Computer will boot to desktop

I have a computer that will not boot to the desktop. When I turn it on, it goes normally until after the first screen that says Windows XP. I get a black screen and I can see the cursor but nothing else. I have tried starting it in safe mode, but it does the same thing. I can move the mouse, but there is nothing to move it to. I have tried getting to the task manager, but it does not recognize that either. I booted it to the recovery console and ran a chkdsk on it. It still does not boot up to the desk top.

 

I have let it sit for hours and it doesn't do anything. I have tried to do the last known good configuration and that did not work. When I shut it down (by pushing in on the power button), it shuts down fine. The last time it shut down normally, it shut down fine. The computer is a Dell Dimension 2400 with Windows XP, it only has 256mb of RAM (which needs to be updated)

 

if you boot into the recovery console and repair the boot ini file if you follow the instruction here " http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=145431 " . i hope this helps

 

Tried that...computer is still doing the same thing. Is there anything else that I can try?

 

I've never tried System Restore form the recovery console but it may be a workable option if there are RP folders available. I think choosing the RP folder with the second or third highest number would be best. Either would be recent but avoid the very last restore point.

It depends on how comfortable you are with the command prompt. This link has fairly clear instructions but you had better print out the directions as they include long commands that can be easily missed.

Before doing anything in Part B. I would copy the original Security,Default,Sam,Software and System file to their name.old.

So from the C:\WINDOWS prompt
cd system32
cd config
copy system system.old
copy software software.old
copy sam sam.old
copy security security.old
copy default default.old

If you are going to try this make sure you read and print the instructions for if Access Denied error. I know I've always gotten this when going through all the steps up to the actual Restore (which I've never had to actually complete).

If you are uneasy about trying this you might want to check if the _resto~1 even has any RP# folders available to determine whether this type of restore is even a possibility should you run out of other options.