[NiQ!]

After I start my computer it gets to the packard bell startup screen, but after that it beeps once and comes up with a black screen with nothing but a flashing underscore at the top left of the screen.
If I press ctrl+alt+del it goes back to the packard bell screen.
At this screen I can either press f2 for bios or f8 to boot device.
I am using XP.
What can I do?

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Beep Codes are categorized by Motherboard brand, therefore we need more information about your Packard Bell machine before we could use the single-beep for diagnosis. What is the complete Model name/number of that Packard Bell?

Setting the above aside, Windows and the machine itself may shut down or go to blank screen with cursor if there is a problem with the boot sequence, or a hardware failure (RAM, video adapter, CPU, etc.) or a problem with over heating.
_____________________

Reboot and begin continually tapping F8 key until you get the Boot Menu screen.

Select SAFE Mode.

Are you able to boot into SAFE Mode?

If not, consider repeating the above and selecting "Last known Good configuration".

Let us know if any of the above result in successful boot to Windows.

More diagnosis will probably be necessary after your results from above.

Best Regards

[Doug]

Beep Codes are categorized by Motherboard brand, therefore we need more information about your Packard Bell machine before we could use the single-beep for diagnosis. What is the complete Model name/number of that Packard Bell?

Setting the above aside, Windows and the machine itself may shut down or go to blank screen with cursor if there is a problem with the boot sequence, or a hardware failure (RAM, video adapter, CPU, etc.) or a problem with over heating.
_____________________

Reboot and begin continually tapping F8 key until you get the Boot Menu screen.

Select SAFE Mode.

Are you able to boot into SAFE Mode?

If not, consider repeating the above and selecting "Last known Good configuration".

Let us know if any of the above result in successful boot to Windows.

More diagnosis will probably be necessary after your results from above.

Best Regards

[Doug]

Will you also supply us with any additional information you may have regarding any recent changes to the machine, operating system, or installed software. Also any notable changes in how you use the machine?

[Macboatmaster]

You have posted the same query TWICE within a minute of each other, this ONE and the link below.
Do not worry I presume it was an error. Please stay with this ONE.
I will arrange for the other to be closed.

http://www.geekstogo...__fromsearch__1

[NiQ!]

It's a iMedia A887
-Intel Pentium IV630
-512MB DDR RAM
-160 GB SATA HDD
-ATI Radeon X300SE PCIe 128 MB DDR VGA/TV Out
That's all the info it says on the sticker
The computer won't get to the "safe mode" or " last known good config" screen

[NiQ!]

When I hit f8 it comes up with a blue screen that says "please select boot device" I have the choice of:
"1st FLOPPY DRIVE"
"SM-HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B"
"PM-ST3160023AS"
or "IBA FE Slot 0640 v4116"
I have tried all these options and none work fully.
The 1st three just take me to the black screen with the flashing cursor, but the last one brings up the boot agent.
It brings up 3 sections of writing.
The last one says
" PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-MOF: Exiting Intel boot agent"

[phillpower2]

Try removing the Ram and blowing out the slot or use another slot, make sure you reseat the Ram securely then do the same with the video card, good luck and let us know how it goes.

[NiQ!]

Something that I did differently just before this happened was; when I started it up it was taking a long time, so I went into task manager and ended a process "javaw.exe"
As last time it was taking a long time I had a look in the task manager and as soon as that process ended the computer began to run normally.
Anyway after I ended this process I opened Internet explorer and it froze.
I couldn't do anything so I turned it off at the power button, when I turned it back on that's when I had the problem.

[NiQ!]

Ok I'll try the ram and video card thing

[Doug]

PM-ST3160023AS <-- this is your Seagate Hard Drive and is the item to select from which to boot.

Later on, if we need Recovery Console, we will be booting from our optical Drive --> SM-HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B
_________________

For now, your inspection and re-seating of RAM and Video Card is a good plan and should be completed before moving on.

While you are inside the case, inspect other areas, particularly fans, heatsinks, and air intake/exhaust areas, for dust/debris/clog

Edited by Doug, 29 January 2011 - 06:48 PM.

[phillpower2]

Ok, while the computer is open clear the CMOS by removing the silver CR2032 battery on the MB for a while and then replace it, on rebooting you will need to go into the BIOS and reset the time and date and while you are there change the boot sequence to First ST3160023AS and SM HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B" save the changes and exit then press Y to accept the changes.

[NiQ!]

No that didn't work

[NiQ!]

Sorry I was talking about the ram and video cleaning

[NiQ!]

There was a pretty big build up of dust in the fan

[Doug]

There was a pretty big build up of dust in the fan

How about the heatsink fins of the CPU?

Do you have a can of compressed air to use to blow out the dust/debris?