[BNP]

I am a Mac person and much less comfortable with Windoz.
Dell Vostro- rarely used, purchased only 18 months ago for a volunteer organization
suddenly cannot boot
Fan runs computer screeen starts the XP splash screen but then I get white writing on black screen that no HD is found.
I restart,click on F2, see that the HD is the first boot up option but when I select it,again get written error that HD cannot be found.

Could this be a virus?
A corrupted system ? (someone may have left the computer running for days and any power disruption might have corrupted)
I don't think the HD is dead because the Dell gets to the splash screen and I am getting these messages.

I have read that I could run CHKDISK /R but how do I get to command line?

Please advise

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Addendum; of course the Dell is already out of warranty

[BNP]

Addendum; of course the Dell is already out of warranty

[noknojon]

Hi BNP -
Can you start the computer in safe mode, or are you not sure how to do it -

Thank You -

[BNP]

I thnk I can... using F12
Did not try that

[BNP]

IF I can start in Safe Mode, then what?