When I turn on the computer it just shows the Intel Pentium 4 logo on the screen. Does not start the boot up process for at least 10 minutes or longer. When it finally finishes, it will usually just crash after some use.Need...more...info...gasp

Operating system / antivirus & antispyware protection / service packs installed / when did it start happening / did it ever work right / installed any new SOFTWARE?

Alan <>< My operating system is XP service pack 3, AGV Antivirus.
The computer is about 41/2 years old and I started getting this type of problems, that I could no longer live with. I decided to FORMAT C: drive and reinstall XP. I am still having the same type of problems. My thinking is that since it never gets as FAR as recognising any of the hardware that it may be a bad bios chip or even a problem before that. I don't really understand the sequence of EVENTS that hapens when you start the computer.More info on what led up to this issue...
If you formatted and re-installed i'm guessing it's a hardware issue...