Computer Locks up on startup -- but not in safe mode?

Question

I have a dell demension 8100 running a intel Pentium 4 with Windows XP -sp2. It has started locking up when loading personal settings. I can start up the computer in safe mode and have run a virus check, defrag, and clean disk and even restored to earlier date. This happened before and I reformatted the hard drive about a month ago. Now its happening again. Any suggestions??? Could this be a hardware problem??

Answer 1

What you have to unerstand about safe mode is that it only loads essential drivers and does not load StartUp items. So if you are not having problems in Safe Mode than you have one of the following problems:

1. An item in your Startup Folder or in the Registry is causing an issue

2. A device driver is causing an issue

3. A non-essential operating system component is causing an issue

Try the following:

1. Look in the Device Manager for an "!" on devices.
2. Launch eventvwr and look at the logs for Applications and System events with "X"'s
3. Try logging on under a different user account. If everything is fine you have a currupt user profile.

Answer 2

That is the biggest problem with windows: debugging a situation like that. Your best bet is to choose the bootlog option from the menu, then when in locks up, reboot in safe mode and read the log. That might tell you where the problem is. Keep in mind, the root problem may occur long before the end of the log. Lockups are almost always due to a problem loading a driver of some sort.

Good Luck

-Dio

Answer 3

Run the computer with less start up programs until you hit the one that locks the computer. Then eliminate the trouble maker
If there is no problem in safe mode, your hardware is OK.