Why does my computer only start halfway?

Question

My computer will start then a black screen comes up that says keyboard and mouse detected. Sometimes it makes it to the "Windows" screen then it cuts off. Then it starts again all by itself and then cuts off again. The fan comes on, lights, and the monitor and it just stops and restarts over and over again. But it never makes it to the login screen. I have Windows XP on a Gateway.

Answer 1

1. Your hard-drive has crashed.
2. You have a virus.

If number 1 is the problem, usually detected by the hard-drive making clicking noises during operations, along with random reboots. In this case you will need to purchase a new hard-drive. Since you have a Gateway I'm going to guess its a hard-drive issue. Gateways are notorius for hard-drive failures.

If number 2 is the problem, which can cause the symptoms your describing, find your system restore software, format the hard-drive and reinstall windows.

Answer 2

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
If problems occur after you install a device driver, use Device Driver Rollback (see "Using Windows XP
Device Driver Rollback" on page 52) to resolve the problem. If that is unsuccessful, then use System
Restore.
NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files and exit any
open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.
1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs→Accessories→System Tools, and then click System
Restore.
2 Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected and click Next.
3 Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.
The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points.
All calendar dates with available restore points appear in boldface type.
4 Select a restore point and click Next.
If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or
more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer.
5 Click Next.
The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and then the
computer restarts.
6 After the computer restarts, click OK.
To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can
undo the restoration.
Troubleshooting Tools 55
Undoing the Last System Restore
NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exit any open programs. Do not
alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.
1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs→Accessories→System Tools, and then click System
Restore.
2 Click Undo my last restoration and click Next.
Enabling System Restore
If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is
automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is enabled:
1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2 Click Performance and Maintenance.
3 Click System.
4 Click the System Restore tab.
5 Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.

Answer 3

Sounds like a power supply problem. Check the back of the computer and make sure the 115/230 switch is in the correct position. Had one do something like this and the switch got to 230 by accident when the computer was moved.

Answer 4

Well, from the sound of it, you have a virus. So, what you need to do is take it to a pro computer wiz, and have him check it out. If it is a virus, then you might want to wipe your harddrive clean, and then reinstall windows, and other stuff you might want to add.

Answer 5

Sounds like a bad hard drive. Just had one go out and it did the same thing.

Answer 6

it may be infected with a trojan. start up in safe mode and run a diagnostic.