XP won't start

[Paul Moser]

I have Win XP Pro and Service Pack 1 installed on a
Gateway E4200 (Pentium III) with 384K Ram. At startup XP
proceeds to the Win XP Pro Emblem and then stops with a
blank screen (and no error message). I have reinstalled
XP (as an upgrade) and the Service Pack, and I have
run "R" for "Repair" on installation, but the problem
persists, even when no other software is installed. The
Device Manager indicates no conflicts, and XP itself
installed all my hardware. I have installed the Recovery
Console on the hard-drive. When I start up with F8 (for
the Advanced Options Menu), I can work around the problem
if I select "Last known good configuration". But how do I
identify the cause of the problem? Clearly something is
changing the registry in a way that causes a fatal error
in the subsequent startup. How do I determine what it is?
(I received no help from LISTSVC in the Recovery Console
or from the info. in ERSvc under Windows\System32; and
the error log lists only "non-fatal errors" involving
internet service.) I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!