This article was previously published under Q310353 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B310353)
Solution: (used at own risk)
If your computer is not starting normally, or if you receive errors when you start your computer that you cannot identify, you could consider performing a "clean boot." This operation starts the computer by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help you troubleshoot the problem.
This article describes how to configure Windows XP to start by using a clean boot and then how to return Windows XP to a Normal startup type.
After you configure Windows XP to use a clean boot, some programs may not work as expected. When you return Windows XP to a Normal startup type, the programs work again.
This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.
You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.
Start Windows XP by using a clean boot
There are two methods to start Windows XP by using a clean boot:
Method 1: Use the Guided Help
Method 2: Manually starting XP with a clean boot (advanced user only)
Start with the first method. If it does not work and you are comfortable trying a more advanced method, try the second.
Method 1: Guided Help
Before you start
Before you start to install and use Guided Help:
You must be running Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition, or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition to install Guided Help.
You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to configure Windows XP to start by using a clean boot.
For more information about how to log on to Windows, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
321305 How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password or your password expires
You can use Guided Help to clean-boot your computer or to restore your computer from a clean-boot state. Guided Help can guide you through the steps, or can automatically perform the steps for you.
Notice that the actions that Guided Help performs can be undone after Guided Help is finished. To undo the actions, run Guided Help again. When you are prompted by Guided Help, click the Normal startup option or the Clean boot option.
To start, download Guided Help. To start, click the following link:
Microsoft Scannow Tool
also you can run this command Click Start->Run->Type "CMD" Press Enter -> now type "attrib -s -h -r [Drive Letter] :\*.* /s /d" (example: if the drive letter was E:\ you would type attrib -s -h -r E:\*.* /s /d
