XP hangs

[bwarner]

My XP Home PC hangs occasionally as Windows is loading. I see the XP logo appear on the screen with a bar below it continuously moving from left to right. The bar will stop after several left to right cycles. I will then have to push the power button to restart it. It usually will start normally on the second start. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[linney]

Check your RAM for faults.

http://www.memtest86.com/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Check your hard drive for faults by using the manufacturer's diagnostic tools, usually freeware from their site.

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



314503 - Computer Stops Responding with a Black Screen When You Start Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314503&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/5/95.asp

On the occasions it boots how does it run?

 

[bwarner]

Thanks for the suggestions - I will test the memory this weekend. When Windows does load normally, which it does most (about half) the time, it acts and runs completely normally.