Computer won't start

[steve]

I was in a hurry Saturday- had a big honey do list- and
the computer was in the process of shutting down, and I
turned it off before it was completely done. Now I have
nothing. I have had windows xp for less than two weeks. I
tried to use the on line no charge help from microsoft and
I do not have access to the product number. I have the
product key #, but it will not take that. I have tried to
reboot, but does not work. I have tried to format the
hard drive but can not get to a place were I can do that.
Any Ideas?

 

[Steve Williams]

Yes, it doesnt work. I tried the windows 98 boot that
with my computer, that does not work. Thank you.

 

[Malke]

Yes, it doesnt work. I tried the windows 98 boot that
with my computer, that does not work. Thank you.

Of course, I'm not at your house looking at your computer, but it sounds
like you've got things in a state where the easiest and best thing to
do is format the hard drive and clean-install Windows. Turn on the
computer and set it to boot from the CD in the BIOS (this step may not
be necessary, but check). Put your WinXP CD in the drive and let the
machine boot from it. If you bought a retail copy of WinXP, the product
key is on the cardboard "case" for the CD on an orange sticker marked
something like "Don't Lose This". If XP came preinstalled, the product
key will be on a sticker somewhere on your case. You must have this
number to reinstall. The WinXP installation will give you a chance to
format the drive for a clean install. If you can't do this, then take
the machine to a good local shop (not a CompUSA or BestBuy type store)
and have them fix it for you.

Malke

 

[Darrell]

Yes, it doesnt work. I tried the windows 98 boot that
with my computer, that does not work. Thank you.

Did you set your BIOS to boot from the CD first?