I've had problems for a while with Windows XP Home making several attempts before it completely started up, re-starting itself at different stages in the booting sequence an sometimes getting the desktop, icons etc complete, but nothing working when you click it, not even Start-Restart. Only way was press the reset button and hope it works the next time
Now it won't start all all. The info gets as far as the bit about 'DMI Pool data' then there is nothing but a blank screen. I've tried F8 before getting this far, but niither Safe Mode nor Latest working configuration work - press enter - blank screen again.

How old is the computer? It sounds like your hard drive may be failing. Have you tried to re-install XP?

Computer built August 06. No I've not tried re-installing. I'm trying some local help next. You've got me worried about a hard drive failure, but at least my data is on a separate drive from Windows and programs. Thanks for your help

The PC maybe overheating. Open it up and blow out the dust, ensure fans are spinning. Press all cables and plugs to ensure they are all fitting snugly.

Once you are in Windows, you should do some general maintence, such as using ccleaner, to clean up useless files.

Also follow Curlyben excellent maintenace tips, see here, second post.

Thanks for the advice. I've blown out what little dust there was, checked fans are working and connections secure. Still nothing.
I've looked at the possibiliity of booting from the Windows XP CD, but the screen info never comes up with 'Boot from CD', just a couple of screens of info, ending with 'Verifying DMI pool data' - then nothing.

If you don't get the option for entering the CMOS settings, then you mau have a motherboard or BIOS problem.

That sounds nasty, even if I don't know what CMOS is... and you don't give me a hint of what I should do next. Do I have any option but to get someone in who can look at hardware and software issues on site, with the expense that will incur?

The CMOS is a low power chip that contains info about you system that is read by the BIOS during the boot process. One of the CMOS settings is the boot sequence, what devices are looked at in what order for a bootable system.

When you first boot you should see a prompt to press some key or combo of keys to enter the Setup. If you don't see that prompt or can't get into the CMOS setup, then I would take it to a tech.

Do you have a floppy disk drive installed?

Try to boot from a floppy disk. If you get pass the "verifying DMI pool data", then it may be a corrupt hard drive.

You can also try disconnecting the hard drive cable, then turn on the PC. If it works, then you should get a blank screen with the words "Insert Boot Disk...." I don't remember exactly what it says, but this can also determine if you a corrupt hard drive.

Another way is to reset the CMOS settings. Refer to your motherboard users manual to see how to do this. Usually it's a jumper which you have to close for a few seconds, then open it.

If you can't find this jumper, look for the battery-backup. It looks like a silver coin on the motherboard. Remove it, then put it back. This will reset CMOS settings to default, see if that works.