Can't reboot after fail

I've experienced crashes a few times over the three years I've had my
current computer. I upgraded to Vista from XP about two years ago; and,
about a year ago had to reinstall and reformat the computer after a
system crash.

The error message I am getting now is similar to the one I got a year
ago when the system failed. However, this time, I simply cannot
interface with the computer. The screen brings up an "HP" logo with
directions to push "esc" "f10" etc, and if I put the boot disc in, I get
the message "Push 'f' to format or 'q' to quit."

Normally, I would be able to push 'q' and I'm good to go.

What is happening now is that I cannot communicate with the computer at
all. It doesn't recognize, record, or respond to any input.

I thought maybe my keyboard was broken, but cleaning and switching the
keyboard didn't help. I still cannot communicate with the computer to
get into the boot menu.

What is my next step? Am I at a loss, and the computer is kaput?
There is no major data on the hard drive, everything is backed up, but
my powerful desktop is not working, and I kind of need it to.

Thank you for any help you or advice you may have.


--
acupps

Hi,

At a guess, I'd say it's possibly a failed hard drive or memory gone bad.
There are diagnostics available for both. Check the drive manufacturer for
theirs, and you can use the oca tool from Microsoft or memtest86 for the
memory.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"acupps" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> I've experienced crashes a few times over the three years I've had my
> current computer. I upgraded to Vista from XP about two years ago; and,
> about a year ago had to reinstall and reformat the computer after a
> system crash.
>
> The error message I am getting now is similar to the one I got a year
> ago when the system failed. However, this time, I simply cannot
> interface with the computer. The screen brings up an "HP" logo with
> directions to push "esc" "f10" etc, and if I put the boot disc in, I get
> the message "Push 'f' to format or 'q' to quit."
>
> Normally, I would be able to push 'q' and I'm good to go.
>
> What is happening now is that I cannot communicate with the computer at
> all. It doesn't recognize, record, or respond to any input.
>
> I thought maybe my keyboard was broken, but cleaning and switching the
> keyboard didn't help. I still cannot communicate with the computer to
> get into the boot menu.
>
> What is my next step? Am I at a loss, and the computer is kaput?
> There is no major data on the hard drive, everything is backed up, but
> my powerful desktop is not working, and I kind of need it to.
>
> Thank you for any help you or advice you may have.
>
>
> --
> acupps

if you are using a ps2 style keyboard, try a usb keyboard or vice-versa.
as a last resort, and if you are comfortable opening your computer, you
could try removing and replacing the cmos battery to reset the bios.


--
kword88