Hi - I'm running Win XP on a Dell Dimension 4500.  Recently when I turn on the machine, the opening screen that shows "Windows XP" HANGS up and the blue progress line (not sure what it is called) keeps scrolling across the PAGE.  The only way I can get out of it is to shut the PC down and start it up again.  When I do this, I get a screen that gives me the option of opening in a save mode or doing a normal start up.  I just let the machine do it's thing and start up normally.  When I do this second attempt to start, everything then runs normally.  Can someone please tell me why my machine "stalls out" when I first try to start it.  And how do I cure the problem.  Perhaps my PC is telling me that it is getting ready to die    Thanks in advance for what ever assistance you can offer.  John BHave you tried booting in safe mode and choosing Last Known Good Configuration?




Edit:SNAP!Hi - And thanks for the advice.  I guess my pc is like the CAR you take to the mechanic so he can fix the squeek - when you get there it won't squeek any more.  Well, that is sort of what has happened to my pc - it starts up correctly now.  Maybe it was reading my mind about opting for a new pc    At any rate it now operated like it should and I really appreciate the assistance.  John in El Paso  Welcome Aboard John...LIST your current protection programs for that machine and we can steer you in the right direction. Quote

Hi - And thanks for the advice.  I guess my pc is like the car you take to the mechanic so he can fix the squeek - when you get there it won't squeek any more.  Well, that is sort of what has happened to my pc - it starts up correctly now.  Maybe it was reading my mind about opting for a new pc    At any rate it now operated like it should and I really appreciate the assistance.  John in El Paso  

 Maybe it was reading my mind about opting for a new pc    At any rate it now operated like it should and I really appreciate the assistance.  John in El Paso