I am on a win xp professional computer SP3. The system model: AWRDACPl; System type: X86 based PC. Physical memory: 2gigabytesWhenever the computer is started (pressing the power button) it hangs at the point when "windows is starting..." appears on the monitor. If left alone it will complete startup and go to the desktop - after about a 10 minute delay. This problem began early summer and repeated efforts to correct the problem have failed. (this is my sisters computer therefore I only work on it when I visit her!) Please suggest something that could help .

Hi karensbrother,· What steps you have tried to fix the issue?· Did you make any software or hardware changes on the machine prior to this issue?Let’s follow these methods & check if it helps.Method 1If you have any unnecessary external device connected to the machine, you may unplug them & check if you are able to boot to the desktop.Method 2a)You may try to boot the computer into ‘safemode’. It will start Windows XP with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed, follow the steps to boot the computer in safe mode:i. Restart the computer.ii. Start tapping F8 key.iii. You will get advanced boot option window.iv. Select the option “Safe mode”.For more information, refer this link: A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XPb)If the issue doesn’t re-appear in safemode, you may configure the computer in clean boot and check if the issue persists. It will start Windows XP by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs and helps to eliminate software conflicts. The following link has steps showing how to perform clean boot: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353Note: Please ensure that the computer is set to start as usual by following the section ‘Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state’ from the article: How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353Hope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.RegardsDebleena SMicrosoft Answers Support EngineerVisit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.