windows did not start successfully.

A few days ago my pc started showing this msg everytime i switch it on:

"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this."

I didn't install any new hardware or software though.
And it gave me the options of:
Start in safe mode.
Safe mode with networking.
Safe mode with command prompt.
Last known good configuration setting (most recent setting that worked).
Start Windows normally.

I can't get into safe mode. If I select start windows normally, it goes to the windows xp logo with the bar loading at the bottom, with the bar just loading and loading. I can only get log in with selecting Last known good configuration.

Also, the pc hangs aft some time, and I end up having to restart the com a few times. I'm guessing it's prob something to do with the problem?
I've tried system restore, and chkdsk, and it still doesn't work.
I've seen solutions saying to just install Windows XP again, but I don't have the cd. I do have a set of recovery disks burned from the computer when I first got it. Is it the same?

Anyway, that's my last resort if possible. Are there any other solutions I can do besides re-installing Windows?

Thanks.

While you get the boot option then ensure that you have checked the last option that is "Disable restart on system failure", if you can see that there. Now just copy the stop error and post that here so that we can give you the most precise answer for this.

how do i get to the boot option? thanks.

Just keep on tapping F8 key while windows starts and you will get the boot option.