Question : Problem: XP Home not booting and hanging at "Setup Is Starting Windows" when running recovery

Not a fun one.

I have a PC here that does not boot into XP Home. Selecting Safe Mode ends up hanging at MUP.sys and trying to run Windows normally just shows a black screen.

I have waited for about two hours on each with no change.

Running the XP install ends with a hang at "Setup Is Starting Windows"
I followed "http://support.microsoft.com/kb/217073" and had no change.

I have tested the memory with Memtest over night - OK
I have tested the system with QuickTech Pro over night- OK
The hard drive has passed SeaTools and the IBM/Hitachi
I have removed the PCI modem (only card in the system) - No change

I have tried different RAM and also the current two sticks one at a time - No change

I put the drive in another system and ran CHKDSK with scanning for bad sectors - All OK
I did a FIXMBR and FIXBOOT - No change
I unplugged the CDROM and the Floppy - No change

I created an image of the drive using ShadowProtect then put the image back with the option to restore the original XP Boot sector - No Change

I ran the XP install on the other system using the hard drive and it went past Setup Is Starting Windows so I dont think its the drive.

The keyboard Im using is PS/2 and the mouse is USB. Both work in other systems. I think the clients keyboard and mouse are both PS/2.

What am I missing? I can run all the DOS tools from Ultimate Boot CD etc fine all the motherboard and system tests are OK.

Thankyou very much for any input.

Answer : Problem: XP Home not booting and hanging at "Setup Is Starting Windows" when running recovery

I'm a bit confused. I tried closing the question but there has been an objection.

I want to close the question as none of the potential solutions offered actually solved the problem. The question is no longer relevant as the system is being decommissioned and will be disposed of.
I cant justify awarding points just on effort, the points should be awarded for a SOLUTION not on how many posts you entered. Doing so undermines what EE is about. Its all good gaining recognition for being the best but we should run the race with integrity and honesty.