Hi running a generic pc with 256k RAM, 80Gb hard drive and XP.

After shutting down normally, next time I switched it on got b&w screens saying wasn't shut down properly and to restart in saf emode, safe mode plus network etc etc.

Problem is that choosing any of the options just brings it back to the same screen again and again.

I tried the F10 recovery option as I saw that flash up. This brings up the Windows XP start up, and then the Mount kilimanjaro picture, then the recovery menu. However, none of the options on here work either, and the english is weird (e.g. "Critic error report" instead of Critical)

Anything else I can do to sort this out?

I wasn't doing anything unusual the session before this (no installs or new hardware), so don't know what has changed/gone wrong to cause this

any ideas anyone?

Have a look at this article:

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article...,112479,00.asp

useful article, but the pc was pre-loaded with windows XP, so I don't have the CD to boot from.

I will attempt to borrow a friend's version, but in the meantime noticed some sort of message sayin "IDE hard disk drive disabled" or somesuch (next screen is displayed too quick)

I disabled auto restart, which does show the BSOD with long codes on but nothing meaningful

any other pointers?

Enter the bios and check the hard disk settings. Ensure it's properly identified and enabled.