booting problems under XP

[ShotgunShy]

I have WinXP Pro and for the past week I've been having booting related problems. More specifically, whenever I restart my PC, it just hangs on the WinXP loading screen (the one with the progress bar at the bottom). I'm forced to shut down my PC and start it again, after which it boots just fine. I'm a little confused here, could someone shed some light?

[Renzatic Gear]

How long has it been since you've reformatted?

I had the same problem a little while back. I had gone almost a year and a half without ever reformatting and the XP boot screen would take at least twice as long to load along with a few other things when I finally got to the desktop.

[ShotgunShy]

<div class=\"smallfont\">How long has it been since you've reformatted?

I had the same problem a little while back. I had gone almost a year and a half without ever reformatting and the XP boot screen would take at least twice as long to load along with a few other things when I finally got to the desktop.</div>

Yeah I'd say it's been that long for me too; a year and half. But I've got too much on my hard disk that would a pain in the ass to backup or lose. I want to keep reformatting my pc as the very last option...

[Suicides-by-Steve]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

Yeah I'd say it's been that long for me too; a year and half. But I've got too much on my hard disk that would a pain in the ass to backup or lose. I want to keep reformatting my pc as the very last option...</div>

Well, if I were you, you should be backing it up right now... there may come a day when you turn on the comp, and it won't reboot and just hang... and then you'll be screwed. Take the opportunity to do it now, while you can...

[Renzatic Gear]

Since before XP came on the scene I used to reformat my comp at least once every 3 months. After awhile having to redownload all my drivers, reinstall all my games, and backup all my files became too big of a pain in the ass to deal with.

So I came up with the perfect solution. I got a 2nd harddrive and slapped it in my rig. I install all my games and back up my drivers and files on it, keeping my C drive dedicated to my OS and other programs like file viewers and IM clients. Since then it usually takes me about an hour or so to get me back up to speed after a format.

Just go out and spend 60-70 bucks to get a 30 gig harddrive. Afterwords you'll wonder how you lived without it.

[ShotgunShy]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Since before XP came on the scene I used to reformat my comp at least once every 3 months. After awhile having to redownload all my drivers, reinstall all my games, and backup all my files became too big of a pain in the ass to deal with.

So I came up with the perfect solution. I got a 2nd harddrive and slapped it in my rig. I install all my games and back up my drivers and files on it, keeping my C drive dedicated to my OS and other programs like file viewers and IM clients. Since then it usually takes me about an hour or so to get me back up to speed after a format.

Just go out and spend 60-70 bucks to get a 30 gig harddrive. Afterwords you'll wonder how you lived without it.</div>

You know, getting a second harddrive would've been an amazing solution (and I so would've done it) except there's one catch: I use a laptop. All my browsing, gaming (the amount that I <b>can</b> do), programming, etc. is all done on my portable baby. Depending on a laptop has its disadvantages too of course, as I'm facing right now, so currently the only feasible way of me backing up my data is via burning them onto cds. But then there's the possibility of getting an external harddrive... but is it worth it (given that they come pretty steep)?

[Renzatic Gear]

I was able to find a few on Newegg.com, a WD 80 gig USB 2.0 external drive for $167 and a Maxtor 120 gig for $189. It'd help you out tremendously in the long run, but it being worth it for the price is up to you.

But given that the prices for an external HDD isn't more more expensive than an internal one (usually +$40ish) I'd think you could find a good one in the hundred buck range.

[ShotgunShy]

I just found out that I was using bad display drivers. So after I rolled back, the booting is finally working again. Thanks anyway guys... I'm still putting backing up my data under serious consideration.