Can anyone help? Crashing On Start-up: XP SP1

Not sure if anyone can help, but I'm running XP SP1 - just after the welcome screen, as my desktop appears, it freezes.

i can only work in safe mode. i tried restoring my system, i can't download sp2; i'm getting the error number 0x8007043C.

i ran pestpatrol, avg 6, purged my temp. files, and cookies, but nothing has helped.

can anyone help? it would be much appreciated...

Try to disable all items at start up.

run -> msconfig .. Uncheck all unneeded programs.

Follow the instructions given by TDP in this post:

http://www.mcse.ms/archive55-2004-8-1012971.html

That should fix it for you.

If it doesn't try disabling automatic Windows Updates.
Also check your clock and make sure it is the current date and time.

thanks guys, i'll give it a shot.

having some success with the system configurator. i know the faulty process is one of the system services.

thanks...

You're probably on track. This error appears to be associated with Windows Update. Windows update if you are set to automatically obtain updates, is going to run at startup. That's why I posted the link above. Those services mentioned there are necessary for Windows update.

I also mentioned the clock thing because if your system clock is way off, I have seen that cause problems and errors with Windows update as well.

Got it. It was cpuidle.exe. That bastard. Took me practically all day.

Thank you for all your help...