Can't get past XP logo screen

[Quantax]

After I encountered a "NTLDR is missing" message right the POST I wound up doing a "repair install" for XP which corrected the problem(I do have a dual 98/XP setup). And one time I did manage to boot into the XP desktop. But now for some reason it doesn't make it that far; it gets stuck at the logo screen. I've tried using the "last known good configuration" option, didn't work. Also couldn't get into Safe mode thinking I might try to use the System Restore do correct it but again no joy.

So what to do now?

[YODA74]

At the 'Welcome' screen press Ctrl-Alt-Del twice - the Admin account
will appear. Don't enter a password, but press Enter. Can you now get
into XP?

[Quantax]

No, unfortunately the Admin account didn't appear.

So what now? I hope I don't have to do another repair/install:mad: .

[Paul Komski]

If its freezing (with no disk activity for a long time) at the logo screen in normal mode or at a command line entry in safe mode then repairing of one sort or another would seem to be the most likely resolution. To freeze at this point with no error messages must raise possible hardware problems - so do check the drive out with your disk maker's diagnostic utility. Other driver or registry problems could, of course, also be the problem.

If you can boot into Win98 from the dual boot menu then you could at least examine boot.ini to see if it is correct. Since ntldr is used in booting to Win98 in a dual boot scenario it is "likely" that the file is itself OK.

If ntldr is truly missing/corrupt/unfindable (such as with a corrupt mbr, overlay or virus) then you shouldnt be able to boot from the hdd at all. You might still be able to boot-up in these circumstances from a boot floppy prepared from another xp box and containg copies of ntldr and ntdetect.com and also one of boot.ini then edited appropriately for your drive).

[Quantax]

I was able to resolve this by merely restoring a backup of XP that I have.