I click on usersname, type in my password, hit enter,then loading.. and continues loading... Nothing changes, same window with loading details...
What to do?

Is it stuck loading, or does it get there eventually ?

A simple reboot may well help with the speed.,.

I guess it is stuck loading as the welcome window, loading personal settings.. doesn't change.

If you never leave that screen one option is do a Repair installation of XP. You'll need your original XP CD to do that and you'll need to know how to boot from CD on your PC.
Windows Repair: How to repair your Windows XP PC with your Boot-Disc - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNOQ0sCYY8s)

1. Restart the computer and immediately keep tapping the F8 key. You will get the 'Advanced Boot Options". (please let us know if you have troulbe getting on to advanced boot options)
2. Using the arrows, go to "safe mode"
3. You will get a pop-up, click yes.
4. Now check if your computer boots normally. If yes, I suggest you can do a system restore while in safe mode. That should fix the issue.
Getting into Windows Safe Mode (http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm#02)

In safe mode the screen shows the system keys... Looks like I have to reinstall

The problem with repairing the os with the xp cd, if it works, is that you loose all your email and significant amounts of data -- adds up to reinstalling.

The problem with repairing the os with the xp cd, if it works, is that you loose all your email and significant amounts of data -- adds up to reinstalling.

Not at all. The repair reinstallation does not touch user files, just system files.
Here's additional info in case you donlt trust me: Repair Windows XP by Performing a Repair Install (Part 1 of 2) (http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm)

You will need to do a whack of Windows Updates and you may have to get some device drivers.

In safe mode the screen shows the system keys... Looks like I have to reinstall

Haa! If that's the case, then I suggest you should go with what NeedKarma says.

Thanks a lot, I will try it out!

@NeedKarma

Hi,
Tried it out, and worked until... it asked me to insert the CD Windows XP with "service pack 2" for file extensions that it could not find
My version XPpro is without service pack 2 on the CD, but of course the system had been updated with service pack 2 and 3.
What to do or what do?
Thanks

"for file extentions that it could not find"

Not sure exectly what that means. Couldn't you simply select a file with the extension that confused Windows and do "Open with..." and select the program from there?

Will try again later, and let you know whether it worked out. The thing is in service pack 2 there are extensions that are not on the older version XPro which didn't include yet service pack 2 and or 3.

It does seem to work, but it is still tricky. I can find the missing files with browser, but I don't, for example, know where to find the nividia xp drive (nv4_mini). So at the moment I am trying all the folders in order to find the driver. Again, I can't find the driver in th Nvidia folder

Why not just get a new fresher copy of the video card driver?

Wow, so simple! That was a terrific personal update on my basic computer/OS knowledge. Thank you very, very much! That's exactly the way to do it. My XPpro is from 2002,without Service Pack 2 & 3, but
This isn't a problem in fact. The problem with the Nvidia driver was simple: I have the disk, but had forgotten it!
It has taught me a lesson about the need to store data and to keep a minimum of programs (and not a maximum!).
Once more, thank you,also for the quick response, you've saved me a lot of trouble with that precious little hint.

No problem, I love happy endings. :-) But you could always check Nvidia's site for a newer version driver than the one on the disk.

PS I should have mentioned that the Service Pack 2 & 3 is not on my original XPpro disk, but of course the running system has been updated to Service Pack 3.

There are some problems after repair: some image files show now an "access denied" when I try to open them.
So, I can see the small icons, but can't open them. The folder in question was stored on the D: drive partition. There is also a funny system folder which shows access denied where I only used this drive for storage. Otherwise the documents and pictures folders, as other folders on the C: drive are perfect.
I must say before there were already some conflicting problems between Windows and Canon software for the managing of the image files and folders.

Any suggestions how to restore, or get normal access to, the image files stored on the non system D: drive?

See if this works.
Right click, properties, security tab, click on add.. add your logon, provide full rights.
(In case if you don't see the security tab, open my computer, go to tools, folder options, view -tab, uncheck - simple file sharing.. now you must get the security tab when you right click on a file or folder)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421
This article should help too.

You can try Unlocker: UNLOCKER 1.9.1 BY CEDRICK 'NITCH' COLLOMB (http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/) It's worked for me in the past.

@BK201 AND @NEEDKARMA

Thanks again for your quick response. Problem: I've changed (I know, really not clever), my computer name, so
When I try to add on my LOGON it's of course refused. It's still the same administrator's name, but a different computer name, so the trusted root certificate is being refused. It says: "to enable trust,install this certificate in the Trusted Root Certification Authorities store".
How to do that?
Thanks.

Btw Unlocker 1.9.1. couldn't solve the problem