HELP - cannot get into the computer

[Tony]

Hi

My laptop crashed recently and I was unable to get into
Windows xp. I would like to try a patch repair of winxp.
The problem is that the laptop stops on the first screen.
On switching on all that appears is this

American mega trends Released 10/30/2001
AMIBIOS ( c ) 2000 American Megatrends Inc
BIOS VER 2.06

MS570 KBC Version: 1.16
Intel Celeron T , 1 Ghz
Checking NVRAM
253952KB OK
ICS9248-146 Inside
WAIT . . .
_


The cursor just continues flashing at this point and I
cannot go further - Ctrl, Alt, Del simply restarts the
same process again and F8 and Esc do nothing

Please help!! I have lots of valuable information

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

It sounds as though the problem is more serious than a software issue.
Assuming you were attempting to boot from the XP CD to perform the repair
install, your system isn't getting far enough in the boot process to even
check the drives. That's a hardware issue, possibly a sign the hard drive
has failed. You need to take the system to a shop and have it checked out.