Black Screen with blinking cursor

[frankenfoamy]

Tried to delete files on an SD card. Got a non descript error message. Tried to cancel and it hung up. Task manager to end process on explorer. After a min my normal desktop appeared. Got "explorer not responding" when I tried to open a folder. Restarted computer and it took a long time so hard shut down at power switch. On restart it went to dell splash screen for one sec and then the black screen with blinking cursor. Restarting with hitting F2 no change. F12 on restarts just beeps.

Disconnected all peripherals inculding all but one internal hard drive. No Change. Tried Vista disk with no change.

This seems similar to other posts except I can not reach bios or DVD
Dell 410

[pwillener]

Is this a Dell laptop? If yes, can you try to run the built-in self-test (BIST)?
See http://support.dell.com/support/topi...us&docid=51934

[plodr]

XPS desktop?
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1054146
If so, what color is the light on the front and is it steady or blinking?
Describe the 4 diagnostic lights on the back.

F12 on restarts just beeps

How many beeps?

[frankenfoamy]

Thank you plor
Beep only occurs when pressing F12
The diagnostic lights are 1 2
I removed the only expansion card ( firewire ) with no change.
Then I disconnected the USB cord that goes to the built in USB ports on the monitor. That fixed it! This all started with an SD card not deleting.

Thank you everyone