windows xp fails to start

yesterday i installed windows xp on my 2002 Emachinebut was not content with video quality.so i downloaded software for my viewsonic monitor from mfg cd when all was done my computer requested to be restarted for the changes to be compleeted.upon restarting i got the black windows screen,when it should have changed to the welcome screen all i got was a black screen.i tried safe mode with no result.should i just go back to step 1 and reload windows xp?

 

Have you tried the boot option called 'last known good configuration'?

 

If last known does not work and as you have said you only loaded XP yesterday i think i can safely assume you do not have many (if any) programs installed so a complete new install is the best action and then look into the video problem.http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/728_guillotine.gif

 

thanks for the sugestion sorry i neglected getting back sooner i've been preocupied with learning how to use this thing,2or3 months ago i did'nt even know how to turn a computer on!since you last heard from me i've had numerous crashes and recoverys but now i seem to have things stable...only two things still linger-1)i can not seem to be able to find a free bios update.2)when i run EVEREST the summery says everything is ok,exept the "smart"area of my drive it concludes"eminent loss of data"is this something that there is a "fix"for or am i looking at replaceing parts?...

 

S.M.A.R.T. monitors your HD for errors. Usually, if S.M.A.R.T. predicts imminent failure it is correct. You should replace your HD as soon as possible.

You could download and run the HD diagnostic utility from your HD manufacturer's website and run the Long test to confirm the S.M.A.R.T. status (sometimes repair is possible but still only a brief matter of time before failure). Everest should tell you the HD manufacturer probably Western Digital or Maxtor (now Seagate).

 

yea,its a wd i was hopeing NOT to hear that.i guess i'll start looking for a hd.the problem appears to be.... " Attribute Description Threshold Value Worst Data
ID.05 Reallocated Sector Count 140 89 89 1771Status preFailure: Imminent loss of data is being predicted"
is this something that is reverseable?....as far as my bios goes a few times in my fumbleings i recieved error messages pertaining to my bios ...but it could have been refering to me...heh heh !!!just a little humor hope you dont mind,it keeps me semisane

 

:crylet me clarify my post...
ID Attribute Description:reallocated sector count--Threshhold 140--Value 89--Worst 89--Data 1771--Status--PREfailure;Eminent Loss Of Data Is Being Predicted.....
WD says: Raw Read Error Rate--Value 200--Threshold 51--Worst 1---------------------and confirms the everest results

 

I don't analyze a HD often enough to evaluate the report. If you have downloaded the WD diagnostic tools and ran the LONG test and it was unable to correct the errors then it is time to find a new HD. The WD utility is pretty much a last chance to get make the drive usable temporarily. Good Luck!

 

i'll take yer advice and run the WD repair,just in case i can't get back for a while i want to say thanks for yer time i've got my backup made i guess it's time to take the plunge...if things go well i'll let you know soon::tas

 

hi yesterday i tried to boot up pc using windows xp. It failed to start up. a window open and a list of options appeared to boot up pc all failed, i tried to boot up from the recovery disk but it failed also. however theoption to reformatted my disk is availible, but i'm concerned i will wipe all my files and Digital pics

Can i reformatted my hard drive and save my files ????

 

It would be better if you started you own thread on this as you are posting in a thread from last year.

If you re-format you will lose all data unless you back it up to an external source first. (external HD or DVDs or Flash drives)
you will then be able to reformat and reload all your data.
It's also a good idea to back up your drivers to save you hunting around for them later.