Windows XP Splash Screen Freeze - MBR problem or other?

[Optigrab]

Hi all,

My T60p running XP occasionally freezes on boot - just as the Windows splash screen begins to appear (the screen with the short green progress bar). In fact the freeze always occurs as the splash screen is fading in (from dim to bright). I must then perform a power-off force reboot which gets me to the recovery screen (asking if I wish to boot normally, using last good configuration, or in safe mode).

Problem first appeared, I believe, after an incident where I was making a full backup using Lenovo Rescue and Recovery (R&R), and it froze in the middle of the process, and I had to do a restore to a previous image. It could be a coincidence, but if not then perhaps I have a MBR problem?

Would it possibly be an MBR problem if the freeze only happens occasionally?

Is it advisable to attempt to repair the MBR? How can I do that if I do not have the full XP installation discs? I only have Lenovo's initial state recovery discs. I also own Paragon Backup Pro - wondering if I can use the Paragon restore media for MBR repair.

I will call Lenovo support but I am wondering if anyone has any ideas. Thanks!

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=48823

[gunston]

should be software related.

[ryengineer]

snip....and I had to do a restore to a previous image. It could be a coincidence....snip

Perform a full restore instead of reverting back to previous image.

snip....I only have Lenovo's initial state recovery discs.....snip

They'll be sufficient or you can even start by performing a low level format before rebuilding your partitions and Windows from the Product Recovery disks.

Be sure to backup your important data on an external media beforehand prior to initiating any of the mentioned procedures.