constant egg timer! can't access start

[CUBALIBRAS]

Hello all,

I have a weird problem with xp pro, after logging in I attempt to click on start but notice I have an hour glass which will not go away, this has been happening for days despite hoping several reboots would clear it.

I have looked at task manager and the only high cpu activity is the system idle process at around 90%.

I would like to try to activate system restore but without being able to access the menu, I’m stuck.

Has anybody encountered this problem and more importantly how did you cure it? !!!

Regards

 

[linney]

Try entering Safe Mode, you should be given the opportunity to start System Restore from that.

Some general things to try.

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box (or a CMD Prompt) by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[bcastner]

While in safe mode be sure to look at the programs that are in your startup list in MSCONFIG. Many anti-virus softwares will attempt an internet connection to obtain newer virus definition files and are relatively persistant before giving up. These can be configured to not auto-update, rather leave the process as a manual one.

 

[TerrySr]

If your system log files are at capacity, I believe 512k, and not set to overwrite as needed, this to can cause your system to lag and take forever to boot, and once in could'nt do much else. Right click my computer, go to manage, event viewer. Check properties of logs, set to overwrite as needed and then click on clear logs, and reboot.

I had a system do this and this was the cure..

 

[CUBALIBRAS]

Thanks guys,

I've tried all of the suggestions and the hourglass seems to have gone, but now I cannot launch the menus from the start button! I then launched Outlook from the desktop but it is not visible on the task bar.

I have also ran the XP disc and ran through an upgrade to hopefully clear any glitches but it's still playing up!

 

[linney]

After running a repair of windows (" ran through an upgrade to hopefully clear any glitches&quot your updates including possibly SP1 will need replacing.

See if you have any errors in your Event viewer. Look in the System or Application folder. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.

Take any event error I.D. number and search for it on this site.

http://www.eventid.net/events.asp

Try launching Msinfo32 and see what that says about your system. Check your RAM via this program.

http://www.memtest86.com

Your harddrive manufacturer will have free diagnostic programs to check your drive.

The next step would be to save all your valuable data while you can, and then do a complete format and clean install.

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."