Re: Startup problem in XP
On some PCs with integrated video chipset before inserting a new card must be careful to disable the video chip in bios machine so that when you restart the machine only the card is taken into account by the system. Have you done this? This will explain the "resistance" of the operating system at boot time by default because it is the video chipset to be recognized by Windows and therefore the drivers are necessarily in adequate.
Re: Startup problem in XP
Press F10 to start the PC to access the configuration utility. Search options in the Bios section "PCI VGA Configuration" and set the function to display your video card in device mode or disabling the integrated video chipset. This of course subject to change because I do not have the equipment to test the procedure (one day we will know that a lab worthy of the name and to test the material kindly loaned by the suppliers), but you should get this so if your PC does have a chip built into the motherboard.