Help - Computer freezes on startup

[bAN kAI]

Hey guys,

This isn't a huge problem, but it does leave me confused at times. I'm running Windows XP and on startup, when it is at the black screen with the Windows logo, and a progess bar with little blue squares going across, it freezes once in awhile. If i just push the reset button and keep trying then eventually it will start up properly. Anyone know why it would do this?

 

[PC eye]

That can be caused by one of two things. One is failing startup of an installed program. The second common is a damaged system file. You can use the msconfig utility to reduce the number of non essential startups to see if this corrects the problem. You simply type in "msconfig" as you see it here on the Run prompt found off of the Start menu and press the enter key. Once the new screen comes up you go to the last tab at the right to see the list there. It helps to know your video and sound softwares to avoid disabling them even though they can be re-enabled easily. You then restart the system and check the do not display at startup box after the system restarts.

In Windows 98, ME, 2K, and XP the System File Checker can be a big help in repair and replacement of important system files. You start that with the "sfc /scannow" at the Command Prompt in the Accessories section of the Programs listings branching out from the Start menu. You will need an installation disk to run this utility, however, since it starts by file verification.