Safe Mode

Problems are often caused by software conflicts. Starting Windows in Safe Mode bypasses all unnecessary drivers and programs, as well as your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file.  To start in Safe Mode, hold down the {Ctrl} key while booting your system.  A menu will appear that will allow you to select safe mode.  If holding down the {Ctrl} key does not work on your computer, hold down the {F8} key instead.

Video Driver Conflict

If the problem disappears when starting in Safe Mode, you know that the problem is caused by a software conflict.  Problems are commonly caused by video drivers.  Check it first/  Switch to the generic Microsoft VGA driver.  Right-click on the desktop, and select Properties.  Select Settings, then Advanced.  From here on, the menus will vary depending on which video card you are using.  Look for an option that allows you to change your video display adapter driver.   Make a note of the current driver name so you may go back to it later.  Select "Display a list of  all drivers", and "Show all hardware".  Select "Standard display types".  Select the Super VGA or standard VGA driver.  Restart your computer in normal mode.  If the problem disappears, contact your video card manufacturer for an updated driver.

MSConfig

If the problem is not  with the video driver, we need to systematically disable programs loaded at startup to determine which one(s) are causing the problem.  Windows 98 and later includes a powerful and easy-to-use troubleshooting utility called MSCONFIG.

This neat little utility allows you to easily enable and disable the various programs run automatically when your computer starts.  This is much easier than manually editing CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and removing items from your Startup folder.

To run MSConfig, click on the WIndows start button, then select Run.  Type MSCONFIG

A good place to start is by disabling everything except SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI, as shown above.  Also, click on the Startup tab and disable anything that wasn't disabled when you unselected Load Startup Group Items.  This will allow your system to start with your usual video driver, and will allow you to use your ports, CD-ROM drive, network, etc.  Incidentally, this is a good way to start your system in a mode that gives maximum performance, such as may be needed when running Flight Simulator or capturing video.

If you do not experience your problem in this mode, systematically re-enable things until you have determined the culprit.

Comprehensive troubleshooting guide

For more info on troubleshooting, see our troubleshooting guide.