[enigma09]

Dell Dimension 8400 with Windows xp had been working fine. My son tells me he turned it off using the power strip and then all we get is the windows xp logo and a bar below it with a dotted line running across, nothing more. No sound from the CD drives or anything.
When I tried f2 to reboot in another mode (safe or last OK position) it took me to a screen filled with text but it was locked i this position.
Not sure where to go from there.

[peck1234]

If you have the original Windows XP disk boot from it and run a system repair...

[computerguy1990]

system repair sounds like your best option the screen your referring to was black I assume with writing attempting to boot into safemode? how long did you let this screen sit for can sometimes take a couple mins.

Or was the screen green with text implying the system was running a check disk?

[enigma09]

Thanks.
The screen was black. I waited about one minute. Test filled the screen and appeared to stop. It might be easiest to go back to that and wait a couple of minutes then try the original discs if waiting does not work. Thanks for your time and suggestions. I may not be able to do all of this right now but will by Thursday, I work 24 hr shifts and have to sleep before work tomorrow.

Thanks again

[enigma09]

thanks
I tried waiting- five minutes, no change.
I also put in the original disc but I still cannot make it resume work.

[vicks]

I ran into a similar problem earlier this week. I posted the problem and Mumodog suggested that I disconnect the power cord, open the computer and remove the CMOS battery for 15 minutes. I did this then reinserted the battery and cord and was able to get the computer to recognize the CD drive again and able to do the reinstall of XPpro.
Worth a try.
Vicks

[enigma09]

will that mean that everything is lost? Of course now I can't use the computer at all.

[vicks]

In my case I was able to use the "R" for repair and lost no data. Had lots of updating to do for MS and antivirus but no problem with my documents, pictures, music or files.
Vicks