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Computer Seems to Stop Responding Before the Desktop Is Displayed

Article ID: 320560 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q320560

SYMPTOMS

When you start a Windows XP-based computer, the computer may seem to stop responding (hang) before the desktop is displayed.

If you press CTRL+ALT+DEL, the Windows Security dialog box appears; therefore, the computer has not actually stopped responding.

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CAUSE

This may occur if Sulfnbk.exe remains on the computer when you upgrade to Windows XP. Sulfnbk.exe is a Windows utility that is used to restore long file names. This utility is not included in Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, follow these steps:

With the computer started but the desktop not visible, press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
Click Task Manager, and then click the Processes tab.
Click Sulfnbk.exe, and then click End Process. When you are prompted to confirm ending the process, click Yes.
Close the Windows Task Manager dialog box.
Click Start, click Search, and then click All files and folders.
In the All or part of the file name box, type Sulfnbk.exe, and then click Search.
Right-click Sulfnbk.exe, click Rename, type Sulfnbk.old, and then press ENTER.
Restart the computer.

Sulfnbk.exe is not used by Windows XP and is not needed.

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MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the Sulfnbk.exe program, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

301316

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301316/EN-US/ )

Description of Sulfnbk.exe and How to Replace the Program File

For additional information about long file names, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

142982

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/142982/EN-US/ )

How Windows Generates 8.3 File Names from Long File Names

For information about the virus hoax about the Sulfnbk.exe file, visit the following Symantec Web site:

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/sulfnbk.exe.warning.html

(http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/sulfnbk.exe.warning.html)

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

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