xp hangs during startup on device listing

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

I've tried rebooting it several times and entering safe mode but
nothing happens, it still hangs on the same place. The last thing
listed on the device listing is ACPI Controller. The keyboard appears
to have no power to it, the caps lock and num lock lights won't go on.
I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem. The mouse
does have it's light on. Nothing has changed, I have no new software
and no new hardware for about a month.
thanks