my pc has recently began to freeze on start up where I can't type in password, its ok when I do improper shutdown and restart any advice please?

Freeze on start up could be from a lot of things:

Have you recently downloaded anything, but particularly something from a game site, site with a lot of pop-up ads?

When you download do you (in this order) log off the net, and THEN (and only then) disable your AV and close your AV program in 'close programs' BEFORE installing the download (except for MS updates which doesn't give you the chance).

Are you updated for your OS --Win Me from MS? Updated for IE? Updated for Outlook Express even if you don't use it, there are updates for Outlook that effect IE, plugs holes etc.

Are you running adaquate anti-spyware, AV, firewall? What kind, are they UPDATED? Have you recently healed or quarrentined a virus or a trojan horse?

Freeze on start up could indicate a browser hijacker has installed itself on your IE. Has your start-up page changed by itself recently, or does it change when you change it back? If yes, you probably have a hijacker. If not it could still be adware or spyware.

Need a little more information: how is the system running when you get it up? Pages turning ok? Crashing at all? Post back here...

Thresher

Let me know if you find a solution to this problem. Mine recently started doing the exact same thing. It gets to the white Windows ME page, and just stays there for about 2 minutes. It never, ever did this before.

After the 2 minutes, it continues with startup. Has me baffled.

thanks thresher for all your information, I haven't downloaded anything recently, I do regularly run adaware and heal viruses,pc runs ok when started, homepage ok too, used to have lot of trouble with hijacers! I probably need to update as you suggested, could you please explain your following advice to me?
When you download do you (in this order) log off the net, and THEN (and only then) disable your AV and close your AV program in 'close programs' BEFORE installing the download (except for MS updates which doesn't give you the chance).

When you download ANYTHING (except MS dnlds, they don't allow for a space betweem dnld and install), BEFORE I click on 'install' I log off the net, disable AV (right clk tray icon and choose disable or close...) then ctrl-alt-delete to close program menu, and end task on my AV program. THEN, and only then, do I click the install. If not it is possible the AV will read some part of the installation as an invader, and your AV might mess with it. But remember-- log off the net first, then, disable and close-program your AV. Never be on the net without the AV. When you restart after the install, shut down manually for two minutes, and when you come back up your AV will re-activate itself.

is your pc still freezing up on start-up?

delma and Purdue82: Try something out of left field--uninstall and reinstall your IE. It takes about 6 minutes. Go to Add/Remove and click on the Internet Explorer, then Add/Remove--you will get either a one item menu--do NOT proceed--or a 3 item menu with a re-install option. Take it.

If not, go into your C:\ files and find the IE files. They will be under EXPLORE.EXE (not EXPLORER...drove me nuts once) and there should be an install file. Click on it and install it, it will function as a reinstall--you have to be on the net--and make sure to update it right away, manual shut down for two minutes. MS doesn't allow you the option of separating dwnld and install. Or, do it the easy way and go here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.asp

Sometimes what can happen is some frag from a dodgey download, or after a virus clean out, can get into IE and cause little bugs like what you guys are describing.

Have you two read this:

http://www.burzurq.com/forum/trevtweak.html

Trevor posts on this forum and his e-mail is on the site: ask him what he thinks, but take a look at what he says to do first. After I reinstalled my IE a lot of little quirks went away.

Thresher