Desperate...

[DL]

Firstly getting to the bios is unlikely to help other than by really
screwing it up.
You might ensure, at the bios it is set to defaults.
Can you boot into safe mode / last good config?

 

[neil]

You could try this, but you may get the viruses back. Press the F8 key
during boot time (start tapping just after the bios has loaded) if you miss
it, restart and try again. You should get a DOS looking menu with an option
to select "last known good configuration". (amongst others) Select that
option and follow the prompts then see what happens when it starts up.

Without the XP CD I think you will be limited in your options. I'm not sure
why the PC goes into windows setup unless some important files have been
deleted, then a XP CD will be the only thing to get you out of the mess.

Neil (UK)

 

[PCIdiot]

I come home for Spring Break and my brother says that our compute
upstairs had 5 viruses and he went through a series of things to tr
and get it working again and it is completely screwed up now. It wa
actually a built computer that was given to us, running Windows XP.
am fairly literate... I know how to get to the BIOS menus and navigate
with a very limited knowledge of what the stuff actually means. Anyway
the point I am at now, is that every time I turn the computer on, i
goes straight to Windows setup, but says that "the file asms on Window
XP Professional CD-Rom is needed". the MAJOR problem right now is tha
my keyboard and mouse have stopped working and at this point I canno
figure out what to do. they work in the BIOS setup screens, but no
Windows, please offer any help possible or refer me to somewhere tha
can help. Thank you

 

[PCIdiot]

I cannot boot from last good configuration, or any other mode listed in
the f8 menu. It says "windows cannot load in Safe Mode" or something of
that effect and then restarts. I am at a loss for ideas, the Bios does
not recognize my hard drive.

 

[DL]

Well if your unable to access any F8 options you might try a repair
installation of xp
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341
or
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[neil]

If you don't hae access to a copy of the XP CD then you could try
downloading a set of boot floppies from MS.

Check this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994/en-us

download the set of disks for your system, Pro/Home SP1 or SP2, then boot to
the recovery console. There are a number of commands you can try (I'm not
sure any of them will repair your problem but it's worth a try)

1. chkdsk /r

2. fixmbr

3. fixboot

You cannot do a repair install though without a XP CD.

Neil

 

[DL]

Just noticed you say bios does'nt recognise hd
Assuming you havent buggered around in the bios and deselected hd auto
detect
Visit the hd manu site and download and install to floppy the checking
utility, boot from this to test the hd

 

[Jim]

I cannot boot from last good configuration, or any other mode listed in
the f8 menu. It says "windows cannot load in Safe Mode" or something of
that effect and then restarts. I am at a loss for ideas, the Bios does
not recognize my hard drive.

you are unlikely to get far until the BIOS at least sees the hard drive.
Check the cables to see if they are firmly in place...
Jim