We do not know anything about computers.

When we switch the computer on it says that Windows did not start properly and this may be due to recent hardware or software updates.
Whichever mode we choose to start it in does not work.
The Windows XP loading screen comes on and then the computer beeps an restarts itself.

This just keeps happening over and over again.

Prior to this the computer had been switched off at the switch without being shut down properly, but it has been switched off like this before without us having this problem.

Can anybody help???????

Hi there and welcome to PCHF, do you have a Windows XP CD?

Nope! Do I need one?

Thanks for the reply by the way

Yes (if the PC isnt branded i.e. Compaq or Dell), No if it is branded (i.e Compaq or Dell)

Got hold of a windows xp CD. However I am having problems. A copy error box is coming up telling me to provide the location of the cd, it is in the D drive obviously but this is still not working. Argh!

Is this a pirated copy of XP?