Cann't boot to windows desktop( Can't even get into bios, freezes before it's possibl

My friend has a compaq presarios sr 160 computer that won't boot to desktop. It gets to a screen that show compaq with the following options:
(ESC = boot menu) (F1 = Setup) (F10 = System recovery)
I tried to get into setup (bios) but it won't let me. Apparently when it gets to that screen it just freezes. Try booting to the cd with no luck. Any idea what would cause this?

 

Re: Cann't boot to windows desktop( Can't even get into bios, freezes before it's pos

How would one go about doing that, if it freezes during POST?

 

Re: Cann't boot to windows desktop( Can't even get into bios, freezes before it's pos

I would try clearing cmos, unplug power from pc, pull battery from motherboard, let set a few minutes, this will reset back to default, install battery and see if it will post. ed

 

Re: Cann't boot to windows desktop( Can't even get into bios, freezes before it's pos

I did pull the battery, but only for about 10 seconds (so is that not enough time?). But the power cord was still in for the power supply. The power supply does have a switch to turn off the power to the power supply and I did turn that switch to the off position. Let me know if you think it's better if I actually pull the plug though.
I was beginning to think that this was a hard ware problem.

 

Re: Cann't boot to windows desktop( Can't even get into bios, freezes before it's pos

Do you get a single beep, as it starts up ?
Sorry, how many beeps at startup

 

Re: Cann't boot to windows desktop( Can't even get into bios, freezes before it's pos

Usually i unplug the power supply, pull battery and hold down the power on switch for a few seconds to drain power off the mb. ed