Issue with XP freezing at startup.
XP loads to the "welcome/logon screen" then once I click into area to enter password the system freezes with loss of ANY keyboard or mouse functions.

Believe problem is caused by my loading TweakUI 1.33 in XP and use of auto log on at startup feature, as described below:

"Problems of TweakUI 1.33 in Windows XP: (1) Do not use the "Log on automatically at startup" feature (on the Logon tab). This causes Win XP to freeze during startup, requiring a reinstallation to get past it." - Jim Eshelman, Msft-MVP www.aumha.org

]"In XP, there is one tweak in particular that should be avoided using this version (1.33). It's the Log on automatically at startup. Avoid that one like the plague! It is known to cause XP to freeze during startup." - Vic Ferri
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/p...cle.asp?ID=130

Unfortunately, without backups I made the mistake of using the auto logon feature and request help in resolving so that I can save my stored data.

Q~ If reinstall is required, can I do so and save data from a multi-partioned hard drive?
Q~ If required to reinstall with loss of data, is there some other method to access the data on the hard drive?

THANK YOU!

System:
Dell Dimension 4550
Win XP Home (Dell OEM), SP2
Note: I have second PC w/ XP Pro, SP2.

A reinstall will only affect the C: partition.

A repair reinstall should leave your data and settings intact.

In a worse case scenario you can slave this hard drive in your other computer in order to extract the data.

All that being said you should run through the Dell interactive troubleshooter:

http://support.dell.com/

Click Troubleshooting and FAQs

Then: Dimension 4550

Then: How Do I Install the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system on My Dell Computer?

This will run you through various options.

Thanks for the advice, Jephree! Much appreciated.

Dell's troubleshooter and support site, in general, was helpful.

Will attempt to slave the drive onto 2nd PC to gain access to data, then do a clean reinstall of XP.

Again, THANK YOU!

Tommy

Thanks for the update and thanks.

Let us know how it goes.