Have you changed or added memory recently ?  I had a simular problem and it was memory.  As in using PC100 memory, when I needed PC133 memory.  Any other recent changes to your computer ?

 

                                                Vince

Vince: No, nothing changed or added. Computer is in same configuration as when purchased from Dell in January '02. I get all of the desktop icons, but none of the start up icons in the lower right corner, such as anti-virus, pop up killer, volume control, firewall protection, etc. It's almost like the computer is looking for these applications, but can't find them.

jwalk9,
Based on your description of the problem it seems pretty clear that some application (or perhaps more than one) that is in your operating system's startup group is locking up while trying to open during the boot process. Assuming you are speaking literally and not simply making examples when you refer to applications like a pop up killer and firewall in the system tray then I think your computer is not quite in the same configuration as it was when you purchased it over a year ago. I'm pretty certain Dell didn't install a firewall program (the native Windows XP firewall excluded of course) on your computer at the factory and I know they didn't install any pop up blockers. I think the first step is to take a look at what you have running in your startup group by taking a look in the System Configuration Utility tool. Compare the apps that are checked on your system's startup tab with the lists below then disable the unnecessary ones and see if the boot problem disappears.

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm

http://www.lafn.org/webconnect/mentor/startup/PENINDEX.HTM

The_Namek,

Thanks for your help. I will take your suggestion. The problem might be in my Zone Alarm firewall which is my first application to come up.