Problem when computer starts up

[Taera]

I keep having this problem where I turn my computer on and it will show the Gateway screen > Windows xp screen with the little bar that runs under it (normal til here) > instead of windows starting up, the screen fades from black to white and the little yellow light stays on and i cant do anything but manually turn the computer off. It doesnt always do it, but it's starting to do it more frequently and i havent a clue why. Anyone know what i'm talking about or what i can do?

[Zigma]

boot to safe mode

[Taera]

What does that do? I'm kinda pc dumb lawl.

[Killgannon]

safe mode may or may not work

what safe mode does is turns off all unnecessary services that start when windows starts normally and loads generic drivers for your hardware, for example it wont load your antivirus, or your firewall, or your most current display drivers that you just installed. it will allow you to diagnosis and fix some common errors with windows booting and remove some viruses and adware

to get into safe mode, start with your PC off, as you push the power button also start hitting the F8 key (the one on top... not F and 8 together... (not trying to make you look dumb but ive seen it happen....)) do it slowlyish but steadily, you will come to a menu that says something to the effect of Windows Advanced boot options.

choose Safe Mode with Networking, and windows will load into safe mode and you will have networking support (meaning you can surf and crap) at this point we can hopefully help you diagnosis your problem and help you resolve it.

it sounds like a driver error to me, possibly video.

edit: actually it might not be a drivers issue at all... can you give me some specs on your PC that this is happening on? it may be bad ram, a bad hard drive, or bad/going bad hardware in general

[Avanarius]

it sounds like bad hard drive / corrupted partition but I could be way off considering the circumstances of the problem. as mentioned above it could be video card, psu, ram, chipsets, drivers and yeah basically everything that makes a computer work. Wow I'm not very good at helping am I?

[Sigi]

Start recording when the error occurs. Keep a log of *ANY* error you get when using your system. If you start noticing a pattern, it will help determine what's failing

EDIT: Start listening to your system as well. At any rate, get a can of compressed air and de-dustbunny your system. If you start hearing loud clanking, clicking, grinding... congrats, you have a failing hard drive