Hi, I have a strange XP problem. When I start my computer and Windows XP brings the 'loading' screen with the Win XP logo and there are the blue boxes scrolling around..sometimes the boxes stop scrolling and Windows XP doesn't do anything.. I have all the latest updates some years back I had windows XP on the machine and it worked fine but now I'm getting this problem. What has changed from that time is that I have a new scanner, new monitor, keyboard and mouse and I have changed my modem to an Alcatel 530. I have noticed that when the computer stops the numlock keys etc. stop responding and the modem usb light does not switch on. When it does not crash the numlock keys flash once and the usb light turns on. The Scanner's usb light is always on so I suspected it has to do with my modem. I unplugged it but got the same problem. I have also noticed that as long as the computer is switched on, the problem doesn't re-occur however if I'm switching the computer on for the first time and it gives me the problem I have to switch it off (not reboot) to make it work again. Any suggestions what I might do (Note: I have all the latest updates including the USB 1.1 fix for SP1)

Replace your cmos battery

There's a whole lot of different issues which cause XP to freeze intermittently, but when it happens on startup, it seems like it's always something to do with the mouse/keyboard. You said you bought a new mouse... what model is it? Is it USB or PS/2? You might try simply disconnecting your mouse altogether and see if you can startup several times without freezing.

Both mouse and keyboard are PS2. The MB has 2 usb ports, one is used by the scanner the other by the modem. Problem is that this thing is so intermittent that even if the pc boots up without the mouse I'm still not sure whether its the mouse causing the problem. Even though this problem happens say 1 in 4 times I load up windows it still annoys me and I'd like to solve it.

Both mouse and keyboard are PS2. The MB has 2 usb ports, one is used by the scanner the other by the modem. Problem is that this thing is so intermittent that even if the pc boots up without the mouse I'm still not sure whether its the mouse causing the problem. Even though this problem happens say 1 in 4 times I load up windows it still annoys me and I'd like to solve it. on another note. what does the cmos battery have to do with it? its old ok (4 years old) but can that be the key since this only happened when i installe xp?

What about the usb 2.0 update for XP? Is that installed? If XP encounters a device it doesn't have a correct driver for it hangs until it can resolve the problem some way. After updating your XP, remove all the devices you added since it last worked and see if it comes up ok without them. Then add them one at a time till you find the culprit. Leadtek 5900 Ultra DVD-r/rw 2 Maxtor 30GB SATA150 HD

The problem is that sometimes it works with the devices and sometimes not so I cannot identify a device there and then. I have tried removing my modem however it still happened at times.