Start Up Problem

[rarll]

 When I start my Pc,it doesn't go any further than my background picture. No desktop icons appear and I then have to use the reset button to try and start it up. This has on occasions taken 20 attempts. Once it is running it is ok, but as you can imagine, this is driving me mad. Anyone have any ideas as to what is causing this? It won't work in safe mode and A system Restore did not help either. 

I am running XP Home and have 2 hard drives installed. 40 GB to run the pc and 80Gb for storage only  

[stevie21]

I wouldn't really call this a satisfactory fix even if it does work, but try pressing Ctrl, Alt & Delete to get the Task Manager & choose "New Task" (this only shows if the Applications tab is clicked/highlighted.
In "New Task" type explorer
and away we go. See if that works as a short term fix.

[Gandy]

What processor/ram combination do you have?  Faulty memory can cause a similar problem but it is rare that the system will boot up as far as the desktop.  It might be worth trying to slow your RAM down to see if this has any effect.  If the system boots up ok at a lower RAM speed then you can be certain that the problem is memory related.

To do this you need to enter the BIOS setup screen.  This is normally done by pressing DEL when prompted shortly after you have turned the system on.  When you have entered this screen select CPU Setup (or plug and play).  You should have a setting (depending on your BIOS) that allows you to change the clock speed of the processor and RAM.  Select the lowest one possible, this is normally 100mhz on modern PC's.  Once you have done this save the settings (normally by pressing F10) and exit.  The system will restart and attempt to boot up.  Hope this works

[rarll]

Thanks, both of you.