locked up puter

I am running xp home, when I startup puter it locks up while the bars are going across the screen, I have to completely shut down and re-boot. I have run my spyware and virus scan all say its ok. This started approx, a week ago. Please help

 

Does it boot OK into Safe Mode?

If it does then you may have a duff driver for some device or other.

 

It boots up ok in safe mode, how can i find out about the driver? thanks

 

1. Click Start, and click Run.
2. Type msconfig and click OK.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Click Selective Startup.
5. Uncheck the processing options that are listed below Selective Startup except "Load System Services."
* You may not be able to uncheck "Use Original BOOTINL"
* Unchecking all the boxes (except Load System Services) provides for a complete clean boot. The more options you uncheck, the more likely you are to solve the problem.
* Your situation may require that you load specific processes from the Startup group. If this is the case, then:
a. Check "Load startup group items" and uncheck all other boxes that are below Selective Startup except "Load System Services."
b. Click the Startup tab.
c. Check the processes that you want to run when you next start the computer, and uncheck all other processes.
6. Click Apply, and then click Close.
7. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

Windows starts similar to when Windows was first installed (that is, before any other software was installed.

To restore your computer to its original settings:

1. Click Start, and then click Run. The Run window appears.
2. In the Open box, type msconfig and then click OK. The System Configuration Utility appears.
3. Click Normal Startup.
4. Click OK.
5. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

Windows restarts normally with all drivers, programs, and your regular video settings.

There are four areas from which applications can be launched when Windows XP starts:
StartUp folder:
Windows registry:
Win.ini file:
System.ini file:

The selective startup uses the Windows utility MSConfig to configure which programs or drivers will be loaded the next time you start the computer. Selective startup gives you the option to prevent specific applications from launching from the Windows registry and Startup folder.

The diagnostic startup

Prompts you to load or not load specific components. You can do a diagnostic startup by choosing diagnostic startup from the Windows MSConfig utility and then restarting the computer, or by restarting the computer and pressing the key F8 early in the startup process. During the diagnostic startup, you choose to load or not load each specific component. Unlike a selective startup, a diagnostic startup does not allow you to select individual items to load or not load from the StartUp folder and the Windows registry. This startup is for advanced users; that is, for users who understand how each component affects Windows.