Windows XP Home Pentium 4 Gateway..

The last thing my computer did was update Java.
On shutdown I noticed a different shutting down icon.
When I restarted my computer this morning, it showed the LOGO, then went to the windows loading screen then went to a black screen and stayed there.
I shut down by pressing and holding the button.
When I restarted it went to:
Logo (long delay here), then "We apologize with options safe/safe mode with command prompt/start windows normally/
I did nothing and it counted down then went to windows xp logo and started the loading process after about a minute it went to black screen and stayed there.
I restarted (cold boot), and tried safe mode with same outcome but without showing the windows xp logo.
I restarted using all the methods available on the list..I was able to arrow up and down through the list.
I put in my operating CD and restarted computer, the drive light blinked a few times, then nothing but a black screen.
Can someone help me please...


Thanks Susan

Welcome to PC Help Forum

After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows splash screen appears, tap the F8 key continually;
Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu with options should appear;
Select the option, to run "Last known good configuration"

Test and let us know how it goes.

Hello, and thanks for the quick response... I tried that and it would act like it was going to windows then it stopped again with the black screen. I have shut down and restarted so many times that I tried every option on the "Apology" screen. All it does is eventually take me to a blue screen.

I also pressed F1 and then F9 adn F10 to re set.

Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help so far.. Susan