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Windows XP Stops Responding at the Logon or Welcome Screen

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This document pertains to HP and Compaq computers with Windows XP.
Introduction
If Windows stops responding at the Windows Welcome screen or log on screen, use the sections that follow, in order, until a solution is found.
If the computer does not turn on or displays an error before opening the Windows Logo screen, refer to the HP support article, HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Resolving Startup Problems .
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Step 1: Unplug peripherals
  1. Turn off the computer and unplug the power cord.
  2. Press the power button on the front of the computer.
  3. Plug the power cord back in.
  4. Disconnect all peripheral devices except the mouse, keyboard, and monitor. If the computer originally came with a USB keyboard and mouse, then leave these connected. If a USB keyboard or mouse was recently added, replace them with the original PS/2 keyboard or mouse for testing purposes.
  5. Restart the computer.
  6. If the computer no longer freezes or stops responding when Windows starts, isolate the device that is causing the problem by reconnecting one device at a time and restarting the computer. Continue doing this with each peripheral device until you find the device causing the issues.
  7. To work around this issue, wait until Windows starts before plugging in the peripheral device that is causing the issue.
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Step 2: In Windows XP, restart from the last good restore point
Use the following steps to restart Windows XP from a system restore point that was last known to work.
  1. Turn the computer on.
  2. Press the F8 key repeatedly when the first screen displays, about once every second, until a menu displays.
  3. Use the Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys to select Delete restoration data and proceed to system boot menu (1st) or Last known good configuration (2nd).
  4. Press Enter to start Windows XP.
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Step 3: Use System Configuration (Msconfig) to prevent programs from starting
Prevent non-essential programs from starting; software that starts with Windows may interfere with other programs trying to start at the same time.
CAUTION: Disable only items that are known and unwanted. Disabling programs that a device needs might prevent the device from working correctly.
  1. Turn on the computer.
  2. Press the F8 key repeatedly when the first screen displays, about once every second, until a menu screen displays.
  3. Use the Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys to select Safe Mode .
  4. Press Enter to start Windows XP in Safe Mode.
  5. Click Start , click Run , and type the following into the Open field: msconfig
  6. Click OK .
    The System Configuration Utility window displays.
  7. Click the General tab, and select Selective Startup .
  8. Click the Startup tab and remove the checkmarks from any task that does not contribute to the system and is unwanted. If unsure about a task, write the name down and research it on the Internet later. Never remove a checkmark if you do not know what the task does.
  9. Click OK to accept the changes, and restart the computer.
    The computer opens into Windows when the startup software that is causing the issue is found.
    NOTE: If Windows or other important software stops working after using the steps in this section, restart the computer, press F8 repeatedly at the first screen to start Windows in safe mode, and use this section again to replace the checkmarks that were removed.
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Related Support
NOTE: One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside of the HP Web site.
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