Sounds as if it might be time to find a boot disk or have someone create one for you, assuming it is a software issue. It could also be a failing HDD. You could try resetting the Bios, there are instructionals online as to how to accomplish this. A down and dirty easy way is to shut system down and remove the CMOS battery, let it sit for a couple of minutes, replace and reboot. Remember IF you do it this way make sure the unit is shut down and preferably unplug power from the system. This is just a simple test to do in such case and may or may not be the issue as I said it may be a hardware problem. Just some thoughts, I'd still get a boot disk, just in case. Good luck!
Help ... Windows xp won't boot. Here is what happened. I shutdown my computer last night and walked away before the shutdown completed. Several hours later, my computer screen showed a process (didn't note what process) had not shut down. I clicked "end now" and my computer screen when to just my background picture. No start button or anything. So i held the power button until it shutdown. When i went to boot up this morning, the windows xp screen comes up with the "processing" bar ... but nothing else happens. I have tried starting in safe mode, but it gets stuck in the drivers. Please help ... anything i can do to get this thing up and running?

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