Windows XP hanging whilst loading - probable Startup issue

Dear All

I have a problem when booting XP. Windows loads but seems to hang just as the desktop is loading. It will load about 2 menu bars and then stop. Boots absolutely fine in Safe Mode.

I have not installed any new software or hardware recently.

I have had Norton Internet Security on at all times and have run a full check. Also have run Ad Aware, SpyBot S&D and a Kaspersky online scan. All this was clear which makes me think that this is probably not a viral/malware problem.

I have gone into the Msconfig and booted in a variety of different ways and these are still mostly unsuccessful. However - it will occasionally work, but there is no pattern to it. I have tried with just the basic boot sequence and this still doesn't work.

Has anyone got any tips as what to do next?? (I really Don't want to do a clean install again!!!)

Thank you in advance for any help - greatly appreciated.

Lil Bo Peep

 

Hello properbopeep,

This is Mike from the Norton Authorized Support Team responding to your post.

First, are you certain that you have all of the latest Microsoft patches applied to your installation of Windows XP? Also, do you have any other antivirus or internet security applications installed besides Norton Internet Security? If you do, I would first try booting into Safe Mode and removing them first. Having more than one antivirus or internet security application installed can cause conflicts with Norton Internet Security.

Please try booting into Safe Mode with Networking and see if you can run LiveUpdate to download and install the latest program and definition updates. If you can successfully run LiveUpdate, after it's completion, please run a Full System Scan to make sure that your computer is not infected.

If you are unable to run LiveUpdate and connect to the internet in Safe Mode, please let me know. Also, please let me know which version of Norton Internet Security you are using.

Thank you,
Mike

 

I would also visit your hard drive maker's web site. They all have free diagnostic tools you can download. Some run from within Windows, some are bootable. I prefer the bootable ones; I think they give a more accurate picture of overall hard drive health and integrity. Also, when was the last time you performed some general PC/hard drive maintenance? Check this link for some great info: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=106650

 

Dear all

Thank you for your replies - I appreciate the input.

I think I have solved the problem - I think the registry was damaged somehow as managed to do a reg backup from a version only a few weeks old and this seems to have fixed it. Not sure how it happened as I hadn't installed or removed anything.

So far all programs appear to be working smoothly and I am afraid (sorry Mr Norton man above) I have removed Norton and gone to another Internet security package and this has drastically improved the start up time and the whole machine does seem to run quicker. My only gripe with 5 years of Norton loyalty.

thanks again and keep up the good work you guys do on here.

xx

bo Peep.