Hi there,

Hoping someone can guide with an annoying problem.

I'm running XP professional on a desktop which is now about 4 years old. No issues to date, Windows automatically updates, so it has the latest SP3 etc, and I run Norton 360 Premier antivirus again fully updated with auto scans switched on - these are showing 'clear'.

When starting up it runs fine, and gets to the user log on screen - (we have multiple users ,although now its primarily me and the wife, the kids now have laptops, so rarely if ever use this). This displays the user list as usual but then all hard disc activity ceases, and neither mouse nor keyboard work (both plugged in - not wireless).

I have to reboot by holding down the power button, i can then put the PC into Safe mode where all seems fine, and this enables me to go to an earlier restore point, and all then works without any issues. However, next switch on and back to square one again!!

This started over Christmas, there's only been me using it, so as far as I know nothing has been added or amended in hardware or software. I've checked the windows update site and everything to date was loaded.

Occasionally it will boot up normally, but then next time this issue.

The PC was bought new, pre loaded with XP, but no XP disc just the suppliers RECOVERY disk. From memory XP is in a 'hidden' partition. I installed Partion Magic at new and that has always run fine.

Obviously something is corrupted somewhere, and it obviously keeps re finding this corruption even though there are newer restore points after the restore.

So any ideas where to start please?

Thanks

SemrotsOn those occasions you are able to boot to Windows do things seem to run smoothly? If so, let's try a clean boot and see what happens. Open msconfig and choose a diagnostic startup (disable everything from loading) and reboot. Does it boot properly?

Thanks Allan,

Apologies for the pause - did it and then as I use a Belkin USB WiFI adapter lost connectivity!!

Right when Windows boots and I do get in everything seems to be exactly as normal, no noticeable issues.

I used msconfig in diagnostic mode and it booted up correctly and I could log in. As said with minimum services I'd lost the internet connection. I went back to safe boot to go for the usual system restore and its now saying there are no restore points. Whilst messing about one has appeared dated today, but all the previous ones have apparently gone, it won't let me go back to December in the calendar.

I have got going again by adding in what I thought appropriate services until it would work, so this has meant a number of selective starts under msconfig, until the connectivity returned - a normal reboot just got me forzen at the usual point, and I couldn't do a restore from my earlier restore point as outlined above.

I now have everything under both System.Ini and Win.Ini ticked. Under services whilst ticked some are shown as running and some as stopped. Presumably the stopped need others ticked to run? Anyway the ones ticked and running are:-


DCOM Service Process launcher
DHCP Client
DNS Client
TCP/IP Netbios helper
Network Connections
Network location awareness
Plug & Play
Remote procedure call
System restore service
Terminal services
Windows Management Instrumentation
Windows Driver Foundation - User mode...
Wireless Zero Configuration

as said some others are ticked but shown as stopped.

In addition the Belkin Wireless USB Adapter is ticked and running, and whilst not ticked Norton 360 is shown as running.

When ticking services the 'APPLY' button became live, but clicking that brought up an error box saying An access denied error was returned while trying to change services, and I may need to log on as an ADMINISTRATOR to make the specified changes. I am an Administrator on this system.

Lastly when I could do a restore from the earlier known working point (25th Dec) it has become noticeably slower in doing it each time. Not sure if this is normal or relevant.

Thanks

Semrots






Okay, it appears to be something loading with the OS causing the problem. Start adding startup items back in msconfig one or two at a time, rebooting after each change, until the problem recurs and you'll have identified the offender. It's a time consuming process, but if indeed this is the issue it's the way go.Thanks Allan,

I thought that might be a way forward.

I'm in the UK so a job for tomorrow night.

I'll let you know the outcome.

Cheers

Semrots

Quote

When starting up it runs fine, and gets to the user log on screen - (we have multiple users ,although now its primarily me and the wife, the kids now have laptops, so rarely if ever use this). This displays the user list as usual but then all hard disc activity ceases, and neither mouse nor keyboard work (both plugged in - not wireless).