98 freezes just after Windows login

[Guest_imported]

Problem: when the Windows Login screen appears, I enter the password and press enter, and it just freezes (and never recovers). I tried clicking Cancel, and switching my network settings to use the Network logon, and the same thing always happens.

It started happening about 2 boot-ups after I installed IE6 (upgraded from IE5.5).

My instincts tell me to uninstall IE and see if that fixes the problem, and then reinstall IE5.5... but I figured I should ask the Experts first! Could this be an IE6 issue?

 

[Olliecat]

Your symptons are a little vague to make a concrete diagnosis; however, the simplest thing to try first would be to delete the *.pwl file for your logon (in c:\windows) to see if the password file is damaged. Does the PC boot up normally if you select "cancel" instead of logging on? Do you know that you are making a network connection when you try to logon? Perhaps some process is starting at the windows boot up that is causing it to hang--you can see what you are loading at start up by going to START, RUN, and then typing in:

msconfig <enter>

and seeing what is starting under the &quot;Startup&quot; tab. Take out everything that isn't absolutely necessary and reboot. If this works, add in items until you see what is causing the problem.

 

[cdogg]

Have you tried safe mode? This would rule out the possibility that it's a network problem.

<Hit F8 at bootup to get the prompt for safe mode>