Windows XP Problem...

I have a Dell Inspiron 1150 w/ Windows XP home edition. The Dell start up screen comes up and loads. Then it brings up a screen apologizing for the inconvience and giving me options on how I want to start up...safe mode, safe mode w/command prompt, safe mode w/ networking, last known good configuration, or regular start up. I have tried all options, but they end up with same result. The windows XP screen comes up and loads, but then it goes to a dark screen and does nothing but continues to run. The last time my comp. worked it brought up warning messages saying something to the effect of part of windows was damaged. Didn't have time to read it fully b/c it shut down. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Is there a way to revert the laptop back to new when I got it?

 

Did Dell bother to send your software CDs to you? If you have your operating system CD you should be able to put it in and just start up your computer to get to the recovery console.

 

I am having the same problem right now and have no recovery disk.
I do have a windows XP disc from another computer can I use that disc for startup?

 

I have used an XP Home Disk (OEM) from another computer to reformat and reinstall Windows Home Edition, then used a backup to restore it to original settings, as there was no XP or Restore disk available for the "yard sale" computer. Having a backup was the key, after the restore another disk, and installing the backup, Windows Update runs fine, although History of updates was lost. I couldn't use an XP Pro disk for an XP Home disk or vice versa.