Startup Problem: Stops after desktop only partially displayed
I have a problem with XP starting up. I powerup the computer in the morning, then bios, then windows start sound. Sometimes the desktop begins but never fully displays. I then wait, nothing happens, no hourglass, no disk light. I then restart with Ctrl-Alt-Del. This occurs only occasionally, maybe every third startup. I do know any action that might be causing it. Perhaps there are many possible causes. Could you please tell me what to check. - Joel1 person needs an answerI do too
December 29th, 2009 3:48pm

Often caused by a failing power supply although other hardware components can be involved. http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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December 29th, 2009 11:08pm

I got a new power supply since I asked this question, but I still have the problem sometimes.Does anybody know about this?
July 15th, 2010 10:15pm

Hmm, I once had a similar problem. I am not sure about your problem, but this could be caused by a nonexistent startup entry. Such a problem would slow down the system startup, or cause startup to "lock up" for lack of a better term. When it "locks up" the desktop wallpaper appears, but the icons, and start menu do not appear. I fixed it with a registry cleaner. Try downloading a program called wise registry cleaner fromhttp://wisecleaner.com/ use the backup feature and back up the registry, run a scan and remove any entries found. Then click the defragment registry and follow its prompts. Before fixing any entries I recommend that you create a system restore point and back up any irreplaceable documents/files. I have used this program for several years without any problems, but just in case you run in to any problems. I hope this helps.
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July 16th, 2010 5:47am

Often caused by a failing power supply although other hardware components can be involved.http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_TshootTesting hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!Though, I am somewhat inexperianced and probably give bad advice 1 out of 8 posts, but couldn't this be user profile corruption?Young and learning...Have mercy - ChaosIf this post resolves your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" buttons. This helps other users with similar problems find the answer faster.
July 16th, 2010 8:22am

It was unlikely to have been profile corruption (software) but we will never know since the original post was made in December of last year and it is unlikely that the OP will come back.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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July 16th, 2010 3:00pm

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:22:42 +0000, Chaos_Edit wrote:Often caused by a failing power supply although other hardware components can be involved.http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_TshootTesting hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!Though, I am somewhat inexperianced and probably give bad advice 1 out of 8 posts, but couldn't this be user profile corruption?Young and learning...Have mercy - ChaosBad advice one time out of eight posts is a very poor record, and cancause all sorts of problems for the people you think you are helping.If you give bad advice one time out of eight posts, you should be farmore careful as to what questions you reply. None of us is perfect,but those of us who seldom make mistakes make few mistakes because wedon't answer questions unless we are sure we are right.So I have two pieces of advice for you:1. Please be sure you are right before posting a reply.2. Hang around and read the replies of the good people here, and learnfrom them. Doing that will increase the number of posts you are ableto answer in the future.Ken Blake
July 17th, 2010 12:16am

Hello?? I still have this problem sometimes!
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July 17th, 2010 2:16am

If putting in a new power supply didn't help, then you'll need to do more advanced troubleshooting. I can't tell from here whether it is a hardware or software (Windows) issue. Start with clean-boot troubleshooting and also look at your Scheduled Tasks.Clean boot in Windows XP -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434Post back with results.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
July 17th, 2010 2:35am

I have encountered this problem quite a number of times whenever I disconnected the power supply for a day or more when not using my laptop. I managed to get the problem solved by switching off the wireless network connection before I boot the computer. The computer just booted up normally as usual. I hope this idea will help.
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July 17th, 2010 12:15pm

Ok, what do I do after the clean boot?
July 17th, 2010 12:55pm

You test to see if the problem recurs! Perhaps a better solution for you would be to take the computer to a reputable local professional for diagnosis/repair. Don't use a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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July 17th, 2010 2:07pm

This problem is happening only intermittently, about one out of four startups. Sometimes a few in a row, sometimes the computer will start ten times with no prob. Watching for it to happen again would not be a good test for me.
July 17th, 2010 5:20pm

Then take it to a professional. I'm not really sure what else we can suggest for you here. Unless a problem is a known issue with a clear-cut solution ("change this registry key" or "your hard drive is dead" for example), troubleshooting is mostly a process of elimination. You must be systematic, take notes, make one change at a time, test, try something else. There is no easy shortcut to doing the work.I'm sorry I was unable to help you.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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July 17th, 2010 5:53pm

Thanks for trying!
July 17th, 2010 6:28pm

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