Startup goes to "windows is starting", then blank screen, then start again and again, and again, etc:confused:

Jack,

I hate to say it, but it sounds like your Windows installation has given out on you. I would recommend a reinstall of Windows. Hopefully you have backed up any important data.

Have you tried getting into safe mode? Press F8 just before the Windows xp loading screen. You need to be quick though, as soon as you reboot start pressing F8 repeatedly.