Same problem perhaps as poppys.
I have a 200gb HD split into three.[[2gb memory]
C main Drive less than 1% space
D rescue sofware
E back up [old]
I have an external HD with recent full backup.
I have a "factory restore" disk.

Computer starts and boots up to just before USERS screen,then dark with mouse cursor.
Tried F8: restore to last working XP.[as above]
Tried F5 safe mode but only booted to screen [dark] with safe mode in each corner.

Personally i think there is not enough space for Xp to work!!

Suggestions please.
Thanks.

Can you boot to Safe Mode? If so you can move some stuff from C: to E: (your old backup stuff) to free up room on your boot drive. You can also try cleaning up the hard drive. Follow directions here: How to free up disk space - WTT

I can boot into safe mode but as I said earlier I get the "safe mode" signs in corners but a blank screen.

I can also boot into bios [forgotten which key to press!!]. Have been told that this will not help me.
Thanks for reply.

When you get into "safe mode" signs in corners but a blank screen.

Can you, by pressing control/alt /delete open task manager?

If you can get to task manager by this route select File/New Task (Run) in that box
type explorer.exe
The desktop should now be viewable by you.

Try booting a Linux "Live" CD like Puppy Linux or one of the other bootable CD packages like EBCD, UBCD or best of all, UBCD4WIN. See if you can access your drives. If yes then you can move data from C: to another drive to make some room.

See this post by Happyrck on GeeksToGo for Puppy Linux:
http://www.geekstogo.com/.....=findpost&p=1197721#entry1197721
Get the latest version available as the one he recommends is no longer easy to find.
Ignore the stuff about saving data, you just need the info on downloading and creating the Puppy Linux bootable CD.

These two are iso images you download then use your burner software to create the bootable CD from:
EBCD
Ultimate Boot CD

This one you have to build on your system and you need a Windows XP Home, Pro or MCE CD. Takes a bit of work to set it up but it's not difficult and when you boot it, you have Windows XP:
Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
How to build UBCD4WIN

Thanks to all of you for your time and patience.
Some of the suggestions seem like rocket science [I'm 60+ and not too hot on computers!].

I have contacted the '"ultimate disk website" to see if this sofware is easy to use.
Ctrl Alt Del does not work.


Regards.

Originally Posted by alggomas

Thanks to all of you for your time and patience.
Some of the suggestions seem like rocket science [I'm 60+ and not too hot on computers!].

I have contacted the '"ultimate disk website" to see if this sofware is easy to use.
Ctrl Alt Del does not work.


Regards.

Will it start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

If so at the Command prompt type Chkdsk C: /f
make sure have space between K and C and : and /

Jim

Thanks.

What happens when I do this please?

It check the hard disk for errors

see here for guide: How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP

because you cannot get into windows this is the method used when starting it from the command prompt.

can you get into Safe Mode with Command Prompt

I ask this because there are a number of things that can be done in command prompt to that could
possibly remedy the problem

Jim

I am replying to two people here.
I tried safe mode, change to "VGA" but same as before, dark screen with mouse cursor which I can move about..

I can get into the F8 screen which has several options.
I have not tried the command prompt yet.Mainly because this is rocket science territory as far as I'm concerned and if I mess this up I will not be able to contact ayone as I am relying on the router to send signals to my wifes lapto which I am using to try for help!