Hello,
Sorry if this is the wrong place as I am new but I am just wonderring if anyone can help me with an issue my friend is having with his laptop. The problem is when he starts it up it goes to a screen that gives him four options
-Safe Mode
-Safe Mode with Networking
-Safe Mode with Command prompt
-Last Known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
-Start windows normally

Problem is when we try the first three it shows a list of commands then restarts and goes back to the first page again. When we try the fourth the screen goes blank and when we try the last, the page freezes. We have tried loads of stuff which I won't bother getting into because we are both technically retarded, but have given it a go. Any Ideas? By the way it is a Dell Inspiron 1501.

Hi sounds like a repair install of windows would get it going again steps below

How do you perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?
Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, refer to your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.
1.
When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
2.
Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.
3.
Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
4.
In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
5.
Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
6.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.