As soon as you power it on, without even allowing you to boot into setup/BIOS or displaying a logo or anything, it just displays a black screen with a cursor? If my previous statement is exactly whats happening, then its 99% thats a hardware failure and not something punching buttons will fix. And not a small hardware failure, either. If you can at least get a prompt like "Press [delete/F10/F8/some key] to enter Setup/BIOS" things would be a lot easier to troubleshoot, but if not you have a serious problem.

Its possible (but not likely) that you have a problem with your hard drive, which would be the best case scenario here, really. To troubleshoot that, unplug your hard drive and start the computer. Post your results.

 

Sounds like the hdd got wiped. fdisk -u -a *.*
Or hdd failed.

Need to go in the bios (Usually F1 or the DEL key) and set it to boot off the CDROM, insert the XP disk,.. or recovery disc if you still have it. Follow the instructions and within an hour you should have at least basic functionality back. Dont forget to tell it to boot off HDD 0 after the OS is reinstalled.

If unable to install the OS then it probably needs a new hdd. They are not very expensive and easy to replace.

Hurst

 

Ummm...You know how people look, when they go to a shop and the shop says they need a new timing belt? Thats the look I have currently have. LOL This isn't like a conventional tower computer. It's all one piece....kinda. The monitor is attached to the actual "computer". There are three wires. One from the computer/monitor to the wall, one from the computer/monitor to the keyboard, and one from the computer/monitor to the internet router. How do I disconnect the Harly Davidson? OOPS! LOL I mean "hd"...or "hard drive"? LOL

 

If the HD got whiped it would still POST and then usually attempt a PXE boot unless it was turned off in BIOS. But regardless, it would eveuntually display an error message pertaining to no bootable media being found. A blank black screen and flashing cursor is oftentimes a problem on the mobo or a completely hosed up HD.

 

Well, first, do you get ANYTHING when you boot up before that blank black screen with the flashing cursor? Any kind of prompt to Press a button for setup/BIOS?

 

No prompt at all unless the disk is in

 

I'll be around next Friday. I'll take a look at it. I agree though - with no "post" video, it's likely a hardware failure. I HAVE seen a failed HD or CD drive prevent a machine from posting too. If the HD is still good, I would be able to at least salvage your data. Get with me next week. I think I PMd you my number.