Windows Hangs After Loading Screen

[Wakeboarder141]

After the Windows XP SP2 loading screen with the blue progress bar my computer has started to hang. Sometimes when it fades to black after this screen nothing will happen. Sometimes the blue screen with "Loading your personal settings" will come up and never get past there. I have left it for over 20 minutes each time and it seems like all hard drive activity stops after the loading screen. Does it sound like my hard drive is on the way out or could I just need a fresh install of Windows? My computer has been on non stop for a couple months now with no problems. When I had to turn my computer off and then back on due to moving it to a different room is when the problem started. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[DeathWish187]

could be theres just too much stuff trying to load up upon bootup, as well as viruses?

[Wakeboarder141]

No, that shouldn't be the case. Besides Symantec Client Security there is nothing else that runs with startup besides essential Windows stuff. I have always kept that to a bare minimum. As far as software is concerned, I haven't installed anything new or updated anything recently that should be causing this either.

[Acid_ICE24]

try re-installing the os. just don't format your hd to maintain your files.

[large_nostril]

Well, since ya say the problem started after movin' the comp, I'd suggest checking the RAM, heatsink, expanison cards, HDD/optical drive cables, and power cables and make sure they're all in there securely. Loose things can cause these kinda issues... I had an old mobo with a broken clip on the AGP slot, and if the video card wasn't sittin' in there just right, the comp would restart everytime at the welcome screen, though it would get through the loading screen fine (took me forever to track down that one).

Also, try startin' the comp in safe-mode (by pressing F8 repeatedly right before Windows starts to load). If ya can get into safe-mode without issues, I'd strongly suspect either malware or a driver issue. Corrupted audio/video drivers especially can cause Windows to stall, restart, or become non-responsive.

Could also possibly be faulty RAM or HDD(s), though I'd doubt it.

[filipino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by large_nostril

Well, since ya say the problem started after movin' the comp, I'd suggest checking the RAM, heatsink, expanison cards, HDD/optical drive cables, and power cables and make sure they're all in there securely. Loose things can cause these kinda issues... I had an old mobo with a broken clip on the AGP slot, and if the video card wasn't sittin' in there just right, the comp would restart everytime at the welcome screen, though it would get through the loading screen fine (took me forever to track down that one).

Also, try startin' the comp in safe-mode (by pressing F8 repeatedly right before Windows starts to load). If ya can get into safe-mode without issues, I'd strongly suspect either malware or a driver issue. Corrupted audio/video drivers especially can cause Windows to stall, restart, or become non-responsive.

Could also possibly be faulty RAM or HDD(s), though I'd doubt it.

or run check disk under safe mode.

1. Click Start, select Run.
2. In the 'Open' box, type cmd
3. Click Ok.
4. Run the chkdsk utility by typing in the following command:
chkdsk c: /f /r

[large_nostril]

Quote:

Originally Posted by filipino

or run check disk under safe mode.

Ah, touché.

[Wakeboarder141]

It will not start even in safe mode. Now it is to the point where it isn't just stalling anymore. It will now restart at the loading screen everytime. When I try safe mode it hangs while loading before it ever gets to Windows. I am going to check to make sure everything is secure inside the case and try reinstalling the OS to see what that does. Thanks for the suggestions, and I'll keep you posted on my results.

[large_nostril]

Sounds like a plan... Be sure when ya do the re-install, that you do a repair install, so as not to lose any of your data (unless it's your intention to do a fresh install).