Turn on computer, stays on Windows logo

i have a dell 8400 with windows xp home edition. it’s only been recently (this is the 2nd time) that my computer has been messing up. maybe it’s because i only use it less than once a week?

but here’s my problem:
when i turn on my computer one day and tried to open a folder, the screen went blank. when i turned it back on, it stays on the windows xp logo screen. the status bar just keeps on moving but it never starts up windows. i tried to call dell, but my warranty is expired already! i’ve tried going on safe mode but it never passes one of those .sys extensions (forgot which one). does anyone know what i can do or at least what happened?