Windows XP not starting

[Aurthur]

Ok I turn on my computer and after the red and white "Compaq" screen I get this black screen with white text that says:
"We apologize for the inconvenience but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have cause this"
Paragraph sbout how if it stopped respnding or shut down use Last Known Good Configuration.
Then a paragraph about if startup was stopped by a power failure then try Start Windows Normally
Then:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last known Good Configuration

Start Windows Normally

None of those options will start Windows, it just turns off and goes back to that screen.

Anyone have any help?

 

[dodge_viper]

do you have an xp disk with you? (assuming you have xp)

 

[Aurthur]

I guess thats the CD that has the XP OS on it. No. We didn't get one with the computer.

Edit: The computer I am using now is exactly like mine that messed up, well except I have different data on each.

 

[dodge_viper]

did you buy the system recently? i think you can get one from HP.

if you have one try booting using that

 

[Aurthur]

Bought it 3 or 4 years ago

 

[dodge_viper]

Insert the disk you have to the CD rom boot the sys. When you see Compaq logo keep pressing F10( or F2) to go to the setup .

Change the boot sequence to boot from the CD

Exit the setup.

Then try to boot from the CD

Let us know wat happens

 

[Aurthur]

CD?
I didnt get a XP CD for either computer when I bought them.
How could I get a XP CD?

 

[dodge_viper]

oops sorry!

Do you have valuable data in the system?

 

[Aurthur]

I have data I would rather not lose.
I think I have a Windows 95 OS CD, not sure though, would it work?

 

[dodge_viper]

do you have floppy drives in both systems?

 

[Aurthur]

Windows XP computer doesn't have a floppy drive.

EDIT: or could i get a free linux OS and use it?