the problem is obviously software side.
that happened to me after installing a proxy changer (can't remember the name, but it's one with a light-blue interface).
Anyway, i runned linux drive cd, mounted the disk, removed the program from startup and it worked.
Try that way, or run a windows xp live edition (there's one right?) and defrag the disk.

Good luck
~
João Lopes

i did not understant what you are saying but i will provide some assistance
1.on boot loading-the boot.ini has problems
2.on account login-logon.exe has been modified
3.after login-problems in explorer.exe
4.if you can access the hard drive from other pc (insert it)
enable hidden file open boot.ini and choose login screen instead of welcome screen

Windows xp set up
Windows Xp Freezes At Welcome Screen

I recently did a recovery on my computer. I am stuck in the set up as my mouse will not click on "next". I was at the welcome window and happened to hit the "enter" key and it went to the next screen that checks the sound. Now I am stuck again. Can anyone help? Thanks.

My pc freezes as soon as windows is finished starting up, how do I solve this problem?

Same same... .but different.
Windows Xp Freezes At Welcome Screen

I'm in the middle of upgrading my the HDD on my old(ish) PC. I ghosted the main 20GB to an 80GB disk (have a small form factor so can only have one HDD and one DVD-ROM drive at a time.

My original disk still boots and runs fine, buy the new disk starts OK, gets to the Windows XP Splash screen, it goes black (quicker than normal but still the disk still ticks over), then the screen comes up there's a dark blue header and footer on the scree with a light blue body in the middle and a Microsoft Windows XP Logo on the screen.

Normally, under this there's white writing which says "Windows is starting up" and then it goes to the screen to tell me to logon, but instead it freezes at the blue screen with the Windows XP Logo on it. All HDD activity stops. I can ALT+TAB and find that there are 2 things running called "Log on to Windows" and "Windows Logon", as soon as I ALT+TAB into "Windows Logon" the PC's frozen for good.

There's no difference if I do this in SAFE MODE or any other option from the startup menu... Same result. Even VGA mode. The image is as perfect as I can get it, have made the image with 3 different programs and the same result. The only change in hardware is the disk itself (the 80GB instead of the 20Gb).

Have run Windows XP repair and run chkdsk /are and repaired any errors, but still no difference. Have tried with the absolute bare minimum of things installed and still no difference

At a loss, so need help. If anyone's had this and fixed it, would appreciate some help.

I'm not too stuck, as my original disk works perfectly, but it's getting to be a pain.

Cheers,
Steve

-reply by Steve Norton

Replying to k2wl
All you have to do is type in fixmbr in cmd and you should be ok

-reply by bigbal

I got a crap comp. From a hock shop...Anyway, it sometimes goes to a blue screen saying "windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer"blah blah blah. I fixed that(it didnt list a problem) and CHKDSK /f deleted two "orphan files"(I dunno what that is) Anyway, when it logs into the blue "welcome" screen, a sound comes on (a low beep),an error message comes up and dissapears very quickly, I can't read it.. I don't know what to do and I need help! it isn't password protected and I have all sorts of games on there and I want them back! I have no xp re installation disk!

-question by Blain

I have the same Problem (right now looking for soutions)

One "dirty" solution:
Just shut down pc (power button for some time or pull the plug)
And start it up again.
After a few times it dosn't freeze then you go into one account
And reboot normally.

-reply by Richard

that question
Windows Xp Freezes At Welcome Screen

Try this: set you harddisk to stand vertically, yes, get those screws off and let it stand, your harddisk might have been damaged, ive had that problem before (but I recommend you also buy a new hard disk instead)

-reply by Oh Yeah!

From what i see u can do this:
Check if u have too many startup processes.
If so and u dont need some of them:
Go to Start >> Run >> type in MsConfig
There you can easily disable startup processes!
cheers