Can't log on to Windows XP

[mydog]

Hi, everyone -- I am trying to help a neighbor with a Dell Inspiron 1000 lap top. Wnen the computer is turned on, it boots to the log on page, but clicking on a user and entering the password just makes it lock up. Sometimes the mouse pointer disappears completely and sometimes it changes to the little hand symbol. Regardless, the computer is then totally unresponsive. It must be shut down manually. I can get into it in safe mode. I have tried booting it to the last known good configuration, to no avail. I have tried to get it going with System Restore with no success. I have defragmented it and need to run disk cleanup but I really need to get the problem fixed first, if possible. This young lady needs her computer for college. Soon. Any help will be very much appreciated.

[Wanabe]

mydog,

Have you looked in the Startup folder when in Safe Mode to see if there is any software attempting to load on startup that may be causing the lockup? Make sure you check the Startup folder for the current logged on user as well as the Startup folder for the All Users profile. The Startup folder can be found at C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. It may be a matter of trial and error of removing shortcuts in the Startup folder one at a time, attempting to boot, and then if not successfull, restore the shortcut that was removed and remove another one.

Are you friends with the Windows registry?

Wanabe

[mydog]

Thanks, I will try that. There is over 3.5 gigs of files that need to be compressed, according to the disk cleanup utility. No peripherals are attached. It is set up for wireless internet but I have removed the wireless card for now, as there is no service available here. That had no effect. There was a DVD in the drive when it started going haywire. She couldn't get it out. I did manage to get that out. The computer seems to be very slow but since I am still trying to diagnose the problem and haven't actually used any programs, it's hard to tell at this point.

Edit: I don't think I should mess with the registry. At least without some VERY specific guidance.