Windows XP Boot and Startup Issues

How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 314079 - This article describes how to guard against a situation when it is not possible to start Windows or any other operating system on your computer. This situation can occur when Windows is installed on a computer that has an Intel x86-based processors. 

Resources for Troubleshooting Startup Problems in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 308041 - This article shows you how to troubleshoot startup problems in Windows XP. After you follow the articles or steps in each section, try to start your computer to determine if the problem is resolved. If you still cannot start your computer, continue to the next section of the article

How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 310353 - This article describes how to disable common startup programs, settings, and drivers to troubleshoot issues in Windows XP. This procedure is known as "clean booting."

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from Starting  
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 307545 -  This article describes how to recover a Windows XP system that does not start because of corruption in the registry. This procedure does not guarantee full recovery of the system to a previous state; however, you should be able to recover data when you use this procedure 

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 310560 - This article describes how to troubleshoot configuration errors in Microsoft Windows XP by using the System Configuration utility (Msconfig.exe).

A Stop: 0xc000026C or Stop: 0xc0000221 "Unable to Load Device Driver" Error Occurs When You Start Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 315241 - When you start Windows XP, you may receive one of the following errors: 

Black Startup Screen Is Briefly Displayed, Computer Restarts Repeatedly 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 314466 - When you attempt to start Microsoft Windows XP, the black startup screen may be briefly displayed, and then you computer restarts repeatedly. 

Cannot Start Windows XP if the System or Software Hive Is Missing or Damaged
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article  Q303012 - When you try to start or restart your Windows XP-based computer, you may receive one of the following error messages: 

"CD Recording Software Will Cause Windows to Become Unstable" Error Message When You Start Windows 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 315345 - When you start Microsoft Windows XP, you may receive an error message similar to the following:

Chkdsk Runs Each Time That You Start Your Computer 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 316506 - After you upgrade to Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional, the Chkdsk utility program runs each time that you start your computer. 

Computer Stops Responding with a Black Screen When You Start Windows 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 314503 - When you attempt to start Windows XP, the computer may appear to stop responding (hang) with an empty, black screen immediately after the power-on self test (POST) is complete and before the Windows logo normally appears on the screen.

Error Messages When You Start Your Computer if Windows Program Files Are Missing or Damaged
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 812450 - When you start your computer, you may receive an error message that is similar to the either of the following: Windows could not start because of an error in the software Load needed DLL's for Kernel This behavior may occur if Windows XP or Windows 2000 program files are either missing or damaged

Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the Following File Is Missing or Corrupt: \Winnt\System32\Config\System.ced 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 269075 -  When you restart your Windows-based computer, you may receive the following error message: 

Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because of a Computer Disk Hardware Configuration Problem 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 314477 - When you attempt to start Windows XP, you may receive the following error message: 

The Computer Does Not Start After You Change the Active Partition by Using the Disk Management Tool 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 315261 - After you use the Windows Disk Management snap-in tool to mark your primary partition as active, the computer may not start, and you may receive the following error message: 

The "Welcome" Logon Screen Does Not Appear 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 305281 - On a Windows XP-based computer that is part of a workgroup and has the Fast User Switching feature enabled, the computer may start without displaying the "Welcome" logon screen. 

Windows XP Does Not Start on a Computer That Is Configured for Dual Booting 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 315233 - When you attempt to start Windows XP in a dual-boot configuration, you may get the following error message: 

You Receive a "System Has Recovered from a Serious Error" Message After Every Restart Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 317277 - If Windows XP restarts because of a serious error, the Windows Error Reporting tool prompts you to report the problem to Microsoft for troubleshooting purposes. Windows may begin prompting you to report this information every time you restart