WinXP boots only 2nd try

[NiteWulf]

WinXP 2001 edition system.

I press the power button, system POSTs and boots to winXP loading screen (with the moving green bar) and then, after a seemingly normal amount of time, flashes to the log-in screen. Problem is, just the blue background is there; no mouse pointer, no login box. The system will boot normally when I turn it off and turn it back on. I tried all the key combinations, no response. I looked for unnecessary programs, and I checked the physical connections. Any ideas?

 

[chr6]

to be honest, i attribute all strange, unexplainable activity to a bad power supply. 🙂

 

[chr6]

or an ECS board 😛

 

[NiteWulf]

Not the power supply--swapped it out a day or so ago. Can't remember who made the mobo (not at home right now), but i don't think it was ECS. Any ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe spyware, adware, viruses or other malware? Try downloading and installing Spybot Search & Destroy, update it, and then run it after booting into Safe Mode. It'll find minor stuff like tracking cookies, but if it finds major stuff, that could be your problem.

Also try an antivirus scan, the Panda online scanner is said to be very good and will be up-to-date on its detections. And if you don't have Windows all patched up, try to get around to that after ensuring that the system's clean of malware.