[davenuss]

Somewhat of a unique problem, and one I don't have as much info as I've had for other problems I've posted here in the past, but I'm willing to give it a shot anyway...

I have a Dell 8400 running Windows XP SP2 (I think, could be SP3 but I don't recall upgrading) w/ a 80GB HD, and 1 GB of RAM. I have AVG anti-virus and accessing the net thru cable (which works, as I'm accessing things fine using my 2nd laptop which is connected to the same modem via a router), and that's about it. The probelm I'm having it that my computer is not allowing me to log in. Just happened yesterday when my 5 yr old turned on the computer and got stone-walled (or black-walled). The fan is running fine and I don't hear the HD spinning, so I don't know what's going on.

What's happening is I press the button, the computer powers up, I get the Dell loading screen, then the MS Windows XP screen w/ the loading bar (as per the norm) and then when I usually get the login screen w/ the profile to click on I get nothing but a black screen. The cursor is there and its moveable, but that's it. When I try and log in thru safe mode, I get to the same point and still get no login/profile prompt.

Any ideas? Need more info on my HD/SW setup or on what I'm doing here? Thanks for he help.

 

[justpassingby]

Hi davenuss !

When you press F8 at startup can you get to 'safe mode with command prompt' ? If so run chkdsk c: /R from there, wait until it finishes (it'll take time) and retry to boot normally.

Else try last known good configuration (still when pressing F8 at startup).

Since it's a Dell (one of the only brand to provide a regular XP CD with their computers and not just a recovery CD) you can do a repair install using the OS CD you got with the computer. If you didn't get a CD with the computer you can order it for free from Dell :
https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

Before you try a repair installation boot on the XP CD, press 'R' to access the recovery console and see if you can login there (with your admin password, if there isn't any just press enter). At the c:\windows\ prompt type chkdsk c: /R to check the drive for errors. Once the scan is over retry to start windows in safe mode or normally.

To start a repair installation boot on the XP CD, press 'enter' to setup windows xp now. Accept the licence agreement at the next screen, select your current installation then press 'R' to repair the selected installation. If there's no such option exit and report here.

To stay on the safe side it's always better to backup your stuff before doing a repair installation : open the computer case (power cord unplugged), take the drive out and hook it as slave inside another desktop computer.