how do you fix a computer that will not go past the windows xp boot up screen ?

Answer 1

Do you have the original disks? you may need to restore your pc using the disks that came with it. when your first boot up try hitting F8 and see if you can start up in safe mode (if you can start in safe mode you can use system restore feature installed in the pc and wont have to start over with the disks)...if not break out the disks!

Answer 2

Try pressing the F8 key while starting up, and you should get the option to start up in safe mode. Once in Safe mode, click start>all programs>accessories>system tools and choose system restore. Then choose a point before this problem occured as restore point.
If this doesn't work you can always try to boot from windows CD and do a "repair windows", if everything should fail, and you have to do a complete install of windows, and you have files you want to save, take out the hard drive, plug it as slave to another pc, and transfer all the files you want to save. Good luck!

Answer 3

Before you uninstall Windows and reinstall (which should be the fix of last resort), I suggest you go for a Windows Repair or Windows Restore. Here are links to both:

*WindowsXP Repair Explained*
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

Fix and/or Repair Windows
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0

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Windows Restore

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

The System Restore feature is built into Windows XP and is used to return your computer to an earlier state if you have a system failure or other major problem with your computer. The point of System Restore is to restore your system to a workable state without you having to reinstall the operating system and lose your data files in the process.
System Restore takes snapshots of your computer system and saves them as restore points. These restore points mark configuration places to return to, in the event of a problem with your computer that might occur after you install an unstable device driver or an older application. Because the snapshots are taken automatically and are restored through the System Restore Wizard, System Restore is both effective and user-friendly.
In this column, you'll learn how to use the System Restore Wizard to recover from a system failure. You'll also learn how to create restore points manually, how to use Scheduled Tasks, and how to troubleshoot System Restore if it doesn't work the way you expect it to.
How System Restore Works
System Restore automatically tracks changes to your computer and creates restore points before major changes are to occur. To create a restore point, System Restore takes a full snapshot of the registry and some dynamic system files. For a list of what file types are monitored and restored, see the MSDN article, Microsoft Windows XP System Restore.
For example, restore points are created before new device drivers, automatic updates, unsigned drivers, and some applications are installed. These healthy system checkpoints are created without prompting or intervention from the user the first time the computer is started after Windows XP is installed and, by default, on a daily basis after that. You can also manually create restore points.
When you use System Restore, you can revert to a saved state without losing personal data including Word documents, e-mail settings and messages, and your Internet favorites list. System Restore won't lose any data you have stored in the My Documents, My Pictures, or My Music folders either.
More information at source link.

Answer 4

you need an original windows disk with CD key...reboot you Pc go to BIOS change the boot sequence to boot from CD-ROM and let Windows do the rest.

Answer 5

you should call GEEK SQUAD!!!!!