Cant load past the Microsoft loading screen!!

[FairyDust]

When i turn on the laptop it does its usual load, then hits the chose which mode you want due to a error while updating or whatever, then i will chose a mode, and it flashes blue with something on it for a second then begins to load( With the flag..?) and then repeats

Sorry about my terms but I'm terrible at computers and i am feeling rather pro towards taking a hammer on to the laptop

How can i fix this problem?
its not my laptop-its my moms which is why i need it fixed, i don't mind about the stuff being deleted i just need to get the laptop working again

i haven't had any virus pop ups or warnings, but the laptop was turned off by the power button for a while as it took so long to shut down

please help, preferably in simple terms as computer talk confuses me (sorry that i sound quite stupid, I'm just a technology phobe)

Thanks xxx

[Allan]

When i turn on the laptop it does its usual load, then hits the chose which mode you want due to a error while updating or whatever, then i will chose a mode, and it flashes blue with something on it for a second then begins to load( With the flag..?) and then repeats

No idea what you are talking about. Instead of "whatever" please provide the entire error message you get and at exactly what point you get it.

[patio]

I got rid of 14 of your !'s...

[dahlarbear]

i haven't had any virus pop ups or warnings, but the laptop was turned off by the power button for a while as it took so long to shut down

0.  Bad! Bad! Bad! FairyDust...  You're... going... to... get... it...  That's my preferred method to "corrupt" a file system.

1.  Disable Auto Restart.  From the Windows Advanced Options menu, use the up/down arrow keys to select the "Disable automatic restart on system failure" and hit Enter. 

Hopefully the machine will stop on a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).  Record and post back with the "exact" error message text and/or numbers plus any offending software module it might name.

2.  Windows Advanced Options Menu.  Use the <F8> function key during system startup to access the Windows Advanced Options menu.  Tap the <F8> key once or twice per second as you startup the computer (or immediately after POST completes and screen flashes black prior to displaying Windows XP logo with its processing bar display).

3.  Which Laptop?  Provide the complete make, model name/number.  Or better yet, look for the service tag on the back, bottom, or under the battery.  Give us all the information off of that.  Service Tag ID would be best for use on Dell website.