windows is starting up - won't stop

[blesher]

In both normal and Safe mode I can't get past the Widows XP logo (on 2 yr old Dell laptop 9200) "Windows is starting up". I mounted the drive on another PC and everything is there. I did a "R"epair reinstallation and still can't get past this point. Help.

 

[linney]

Possibly the corruption is from your Registry and this may be causing the problem? Any such corruption could be carried across during a Repair Install because of the on purpose saving of settings and programs.

First try using the Recovery Console and run ChkDsk /r to see if that helps.

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

This next procedure will replace your Registry with an older (hopefully) fully functional one.

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

This is a layman's version of Q307545 in simple language.