Steam crashes computer - Hardware & Software

I have a 15" 2.8GHz MacBook Pro. I was running Windows Vista on it using Boot Camp, but it got very slow, and I have been wanting to switch to XP for a while anyway. I finally made the switch. However, I noticed when I booted up Windows, it began hanging. Eventually I narrowed the cause of the problem down to Steam, of all things. The main reason I installed Windows on this thing in the first place! Here's what happens. XP boots up, I log in, and everything loads. I double-click the Steam icon (I have auto-launch turned off for obvious reasons) and it says "Connecting to Steam account: flarn2005" just as always. This message never goes away, and I can't click Cancel. Then after 30 seconds or so, whenever I do something in Explorer (the desktop/taskbar; haven't tested it with other programs running) it won't respond. I can move the cursor, however. I tried turning off the firewall, but it still has the problem. And keep in mind I just installed Windows, so it's unlikely to be any kind of malware. Can anybody help? Oh, and by the way: if I click the Start button, the menu doesn't appear and I can't do anything in the taskbar (but I can on the desktop.) If I right-click the desktop, the cursor just turns into an hourglass, and everything stops responding. I have the Welcome screen turned off (so Ctrl+Alt+Del would make the Windows Security dialog appear.) Ctrl+Alt+Del just makes everything disappear except the cursor, and Ctrl+Shift+Esc (launches the task manager directly, bypassing the Windows Security dialog) won't work. And if I try to move the "Connecting to Steam account" window, sometimes it moves after several seconds, but it usually doesn't move at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! EDIT: I noticed some sources say to rename or delete clientregistry.blob. I tried that, but it doesn't work.

I have this exact problem. Its a good thing I'm not the only person with this problem

try using a VM [url]http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads[/url]

I don't really want to go through the hassle of getting that set up and all. I just want to know what could be causing this. I have the EXACT Same problem as the OP. And could somebody please give me a solution other than "..Reinstall your Steam". I don't want to go through the hassle of doing all that stuff all over again while I already have 43 games that I play on a basis.

[QUOTE=Laferio;17505814]I don't really want to go through the hassle of getting that set up and all. I just want to know what could be causing this. I have the EXACT Same problem as the OP.[/QUOTE] i'd say its probably the same amount of time as setting up bootcamp. and it only takes like 10 minutes +install time and who knows, maybe its bootcamps fault.

Sorry for asking this but who or what is Bootcamp?

[QUOTE=Laferio;17505916]Sorry for asking this but who or what is Bootcamp?[/QUOTE] i thought you have OP's problem OP is running XP in boot camp on his MacBook bootcamp is lets you dual boot windows (or VM's it, cant remember) [quote]I have a 15" 2.8GHz MacBook Pro. I was running Windows Vista on it using Boot Camp,[/quote]

Well I do have the same problem as him. Yet I'm running VISTA And I'm getting the exact problems that he is. Whether or not its depending off system specs.

[QUOTE=Laferio;17505984]Well I do have the same problem as him. Yet I'm running VISTA And I'm getting the exact problems that he is. Whether or not its depending off system specs.[/QUOTE] so you are running off a mac?

Sadly no. And yet I still get the same problems

Then your problem isn't really the exact problem as the OP, is it?

No.. I have nearly the same problem as the OP. Just without the bootcamp and Mac crap running about. I'm pretty much having the same symptoms that hes getting. Where anything I tough turns into "Does not respond"

[QUOTE=Laferio;17507352]No.. I have nearly the same problem as the OP. Just without the bootcamp and Mac crap running about. I'm pretty much having the same symptoms that hes getting. Where anything I tough turns into "Does not respond"[/QUOTE] well you might have a virus but OP could have an unrelated problem, because i think bootcamp installs things to make it work better on a mac or something(correct me if i'm wrong)

Sorry to bump an old thread, but in case anybody else is still having this problem, I fixed it by reinstalling Windows. But I was having other problems too, so of course that's only a last resort.