Computer Hangs After Windows Logo Is Displayed at Startup (150516)

Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system.

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows, your computer may stop responding (hang) after the Windows logo screen is displayed. However, a Windows 95-based computer may start properly if you press the F8 key (CTRL key for Windows 98) when you see the "Starting Windows" message, choose Step-By-Step Confirmation from the Startup menu, and then press Y at each prompt.

NOTE: To more effectively search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, use keywords that relate to your issue. If you are searching for troubleshooting information that is not mentioned in this article, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base again by using keywords that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

242450 How to Query the Microsoft Knowledge Base Using Keywords

CAUSE

This issue can be caused by either of the following conditions:

An antivirus program warning screen may be hidden behind the Windows logo screen. This can occur if Windows is loading an antivirus program from the Autoexec.bat file to automatically check for a virus. The antivirus program detects that the Command.com file has changed as a result of the Windows installation and pauses the computer to inform you and wait for your input.
The display adapter that is installed in your computer is not properly processing the video-mode switching that occurs when the Windows logo screen is displayed. This video-mode switching does not occur when you choose Step-By-Step Confirmation from the Startup menu, because the Windows logo screen is not displayed.

NOTE: This issue is known to occur with the ATI Graphics Ultra Pro (Mach32) display adapter.

RESOLUTION

Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

Note An antivirus program is designed to help protect your computer from viruses. You must not download or open files from sources that you do not trust, visit Web sites that you do not trust, or open e-mail attachments when your antivirus program is disabled.

For additional information about computer viruses, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

129972Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery

To work around this issue:

Determine if an antivirus program is running by pressing the ESC key during startup to close the Windows logo screen. If an antivirus program is running, you may be able to control the antivirus program from this screen. If possible, choose the option that makes the antivirus program update any affected files to prevent the pause from occurring when you start Windows in the future. If no anti-virus program is running, continue to the next step.
Disable the Windows logo screen. To do so, add the following line to the [Options] section of the Msdos.sys file:
Logo=0
For additional information about how to edit the Msdos.sys file, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
118579 Contents of the Windows Msdos.sys File
IMPORTANT: This method permanently prevents the logo screen from being displayed. Also, if you disable the Windows logo screen and it resolves this issue, contact the manufacturer of your display adapter for additional information about this issue. You may be able to reconfigure the display adapter so that the issue does not occur when the Windows logo screen is displayed.

MORE INFORMATION

The following anti-virus programs may cause your computer to stop responding (hang) after the Windows logo screen is displayed:

Microsoft Anti-Virus
Norton Anti-Virus
Central Point Anti-Virus

For additional information about how to troubleshoot startup or shutdown problems in Windows, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

136337 Troubleshooting Windows 95 Startup Problems and Error Messages

188867 Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems

145926 How to Troubleshoot Windows 95 Shutdown Problems

202633 How to Troubleshoot Windows 98 Shutdown Problems

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.