windows won't start, repair reinstall gets stuck

[yoshinyapapa]

When I turn on my computer, I get the following message:

"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows

Normally..."

When I start normally or with last known configuration, it goes to the Windows XP loading screen (black screen that just says Windows XP and has a bar for loading) and stays there forever. When I start in safe mode, the screen shows some writing about partitioning files for a while and then just stops and stays at this screen forever.

I have seen people on various forums with whose computers give them the same message, though the results of their choosing safe mode or normal are different (but also unsuccessful in starting the computer). The advice given to them was to repair reinstall Windows XP.

So I tried that, I booted from the Windows XP CD and I chose repair reinstall. The bottom of the screen said a few things, then said examining startup environment and remained there forever.

Was it the right choice for me to repair reinstall Windows XP? If it was, what can I do about my current problem?