When windows XP is started in safe mode, it starts fine but when started in normal mode, it will try loading but hangs with a windows XP logo and the progress scroll bars at the bottom.
This happened to me on a computer I never wanted to format because of one of the applications that were installed on the computer. Many google searches I came across on the Internet, were taking me to backing up all the data in safe mode and reinstalling a new copy of windows XP (format).
I almost gave in to formatting the computer after sitting on it for two days, but as I almost did the format, I remembered a saying, "Before you give up, make the last try". My last try was however successful.
What did I do? In the first place, I would like to explain the actual problem.
Many people almost nailed the cause of the problem but I never got through with their help. They all pointed to either a hardware that was conflicting the booting process or a malware that had either eaten away or replaced a dll file required for loading a device with an infected file.
When I installed a parallel XP to scan for viruses on the entire computer, I only found two virus instances in system information directory. I tried with different antiviruses and all showed that the computer was clean. This actually pointed me to eliminating a virus problem. The possibility of having a Hardware conflicting the booting process was ruled out the moment the parallel installation worked fine. However on numerous repairs to the primary XP installation, a dll file failed at (34 minutes) Hardware installation process. This now pointed me to a possibility of a missing dll which when copied to the actual required location, didn't solve the problem still. I finally decided to use the new parallel installation to compare the Device manager with the primary installation. That is when I realised that Nividia Driver was the one messing me up. I uninstalled all nividia drivers from the primary installation and thank God, the booting process succeeded.
The next time this occurs to you, uninstall any possible device from the Device manager, and repair the installation. It will clear and then reinstall the devices. You shall have a clean (almost new) installation.
Thank you.
