Computer problems

I am on Butch's computer. The one I thought was going to die 4 to 5 years ago. Mine is hanging up in start up. It gets to that spot and then stalls. If I try enough times it might start but I feel it has a limited number of attempts left and I do not have my stuff transferred to the new external hard drive just yet. I plan to wait for son Gary to help me. The best computer buys I have seen have been in south Texas around Christmas and I had hoped to wait till then for a new purchase. We will see. I am not sure I have the patience for that long.