System hangs on startup trying to load AFD.SYS

[Big Booger]

The thing is, Sp2 may fix the problem that you are having.. but then again it may make matters worse...

You can try the msconfig diagnostic startup, and if you get the problem with the diagnostic, then you can pretty much rule out any software on startup causing the afd.sys issue.. no matter how random it may seem.

The reason I pointed out zonealarm or a firewall is because afd.sys handles tcp/ip communications amongst other functions. The firewall could be preventing afd.sys from loading..

One other check would be to uninstall your NIC and reinstall it in the device manager. That or disconnect the cable from the internet and see if you are getting this problem.

Could be a conflict with your NIC and afd.sys.. could be a lot of stuff.

[dbookbinder]

Sorry to have to show my ignorance, here, but what's a "NIC"?

I'm connecting to the Internet through a dial-up, so I'm not sure that's an issue, but I understand what you're saying, now, about eliminating all the startup stuff and seeing if I still have a problem. I'll try that. My intuition on this, for what that's worth, is that this is some kind of timing issue -- Windows trying to do too many things at once. Just adding boot logging, whch I added to track down the problem, eliminated reboot issues for a while, though they have since returned.

I'll let you know if I get anywhere with disabling startup programs and drivers in msconfig.

Thanks,
David