Whenever I switch my computer on it begins the startup and at best gets to the Windows XP logo and then the screen just goes black. This is the furthest it gets and most times won't even get there. If I go into BIOS the same thing happens.

Any Ideas?

Are you able to go to "safe mode" by presssing f8 when the lights on the keyboard flash?

If you have not tried this, go to safe mode and try changing the resolution or uninstall the last software you installed before this computer started hanging.

I have tried to select safe mode but the same thing happens whatever I try. I haven't installed any software before the computer started doing this.

Boot to your XP CD and run the Repair option.

Does the computer completely loose power?

If so, check to make sure all of your fans (especially the one on the processor) are working. If it is not, your computer will overheat and turn itself off.

If your video card has a fan on it, and it is not working, it could explain why only the video goes out after a short period.

The computer doesn't loose power as the fans are still going it's just the screen goes black. The reset button doesn't work and the only way to reboot is to turn off at the plug and try again.

Also would the repair option work on the xp cd work because the computer even goes down if I'm in bios

How familiar, or comfortable with computers are you? My guess is that it is some piece of hardware that is failing. I would start removing things to see.

I would first try the RAM, if you have two or more cards in there, take out all but one, if it still happens, take out the one, and put back in a different one.

Then, if you have an added video card, take it out, and try the onboard card. Just slowly remove everything piece by piece.

I've had a similar problem with my computer before, and believe it or not, it turned out to be my USB mouse. Whenever I had it plugged in, my computer would crash. Maybe try to unhook everything but power and video and see what happens.

OK well have you even tried the back up disk? If not I would start taking it out piece by piece by piece but keep everythng separated so you know where everything goes. Or format your hardrive and see it that works.

Also would the repair option work on the xp cd work because the computer even goes down if i'm in bios

Yes, If you boot to the CD, it should get past whatever is causing the failure. If it the problem is such that you can't boot to the XP CD, then you need to take it to a repair shop.

Ok I agree with scottgem in some aspects, I think you should use the repair cd and see if that works, if it doesn't though you should reformat it and use the boot disk to reinstall Wondows XP.

Ok i agree with scottgem in some aspects, i think you should use the repair cd and see if that works, if it doesn't though you should reformat it and use the boot disk to reinstall Wondows XP.

The XP CD can do a clean reinstall which means it will reformat first. No need to do a separate reformat. But again, that's a last resort. It means losing all your data and settings.

Ok I will try all of your suggestions this evening. I have disconnected all the cd drives and hard drives to see if that works but no joy. Will try the ram and video card first as don't really want to format the hard drive if possible

Obviously I'm not there, so I can't guarantee it, but from my previous experiences, if it is going out even while in BIOS, then any kind of boot disk is not going to help at all, and you won't be able to format (because the screen will go out, an the computer will lock up). Entering BIOS uses the absolute least amount of resources, if it fails there... its pretty much guaranteed to be hardware.

Comments on this posttoryadamz (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/members/toryadamz.html) disagrees: it may not be hardware then he might screw it up and have a worse problem

May I call your attention to the guidleines for using the comments feature shown here:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/feedback/using-comments-feature-24951.html

Sudden's advice here has been correct, your's hasn't