[Dantran]

Hi, first time on the forum, so go easy on my lack of knowledge.

Basically my computer has stopped booting up. at first it would get as far as the user login stage then freeze. then it started getting as far as the desktop and would not let me do anything exept enter the task manager which showed 11 processes running, using 100% of the cpu. now its back to square one, only getting as far as the login.
Please help, its causing alot of delays, frustration and worries.
Thanks.
DT.

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Can you enter safe mode before it freezes?

[katkat92]

Can you enter safe mode before it freezes?

[Dantran]

I can enter safe mode, and it boots into windows, but again wont let me access anything

[gerryf]

what do you mean will not let you access anything?

[Dantran]

I mean i cant run programs (or even click their icons for that matter) or use the start menu or get the list which usually pops up when right clicking. but task manager works

[gerryf]

OK, but windows loads.....using task manager, can you identify which process is using all of your cpu time?

[Dantran]

seems to fluctuate, but now the PC has gone back to stopping at the login stage.
if i remember right, explorer.exe and svchost.exe used quite alot of the cpu

[gerryf]

can you log in safe mode with command prompt?

[Dantran]

Yes, it gave me the option, but i didnt know what it was really so i left it.
is that like dos or something? (not that i know anything about that either).

[gerryf]

yes, like DOS...just trying to isolate what options we have at the moment

[gerryf]

When you say stops at the logon phase, do you mean you click logon and it starts to logon and then craps out? Or you cannot even click your logon name?

[Dantran]

It displays my user name etc and then lets me click, then begins to load and says "loading your personal settings. but it goes no further than that

[gerryf]

so, can you log into safe mode with command prompt or not?

[Dantran]

Sorry, had to leave last night, if your around (gerryf) then yes i can start in safe mode with command prompt. anyone else feel free to step in and help too.
Thanks.
DT

[katkat92]

I've seen viruses cause XP to hang at the "Loading Personal Settings" screen, or cause it to loop between that screen and the logoff. You might look into that avenue.

My other thought is to back-up as much of your data in safe mode as you can, just so you don't lose anything important. Have you recently installed any programs, drivers or updates? If you cannot click your start button, try getting into your control panel in safe mode by going through "my documents" or any other file folder on your desktop. Let me know if you remember installing anything new.