Computer Fixit Question: Windows XP crashes at signin

[closeupready]

One of my laptops, which is running on XP, will boot up to the sign in screen; but since yesterday, it either crashes at that point, or else, when I click on "Sign In" button, the image simply turns squiggly on me, and won't do anything else.

Help! :D

[hobbit709]

1. Can you boot into Safe Mode?

[Frank Cannon]

3. Good question

Reboot, and keep tapping the F8 key. A screen will come up giving you the option to boot up in Safe Mode. Run your antivirus software from there.

[struggle4progress]

2. Havl ovt ye olde blunderbuss and shoot ye blightie junk

That'll fix it

[HopeHoops]

4. (Ahem) - GET A MAC!

Well SOMEBODY had to post that! re

Seriously, see if you can get it to boot into safe mode - you sometimes have to whap on the F8 key repeatedly after you turn it on. Boot into Safe Mode With Networking and download Anti-Malware from MalwareBytes (the free version). Run the quick scan and let it update the signature file. I've been amazed at how many times that's found something that snuck past the virus protection software.

[closeupready]

5. Thanks for the responses - there seems to be a problem with my video RAM.

It's maxed out or something, and crashes my computer when I try to do anything. :(

Time for a new one.

[struggle4progress]

6. Before you junk it, see if you have the same problem when booting off an ubuntu livecd

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

I don't know what the problem is, but at least consider the possibility it might be software related

[closeupready]

7. Thanks - I'll give this a try.

:hi: