Eculle1 wrote:

> Unstalled a program under control panel option and rebooted system. At
> first, windows started but immediately after the desktop was displayed, I got
> a blue screen error messege, system immediately rebooted and checked my
> external HD for errors - none found. This happened about 5 times. Now, on
> boot, lights on my keyboard blick once as if the system is starting but,
> Windows does not start or anything is displayed on my display.
>
> The system will not recognize a CD or flash drive.
>
> OS: Windows XP (SP3)
> Mem: 3.75 g

Can you get into the BIOS configuration screens? If so, what devices
are listed in the "boot order sequence" (and in which order)? If the
hard disk is listed first, change it to floppy -> CD/DVD -> hard disk.
Then see if you can bootup using a bootable floppy or bootable CD. If
that works, remove floppies or CDs, take off the side cover, power down
the computer, wait half a minute, then power up with your ear next to
the hard drive. You should hear it whine as it spins up. If not, go
back into BIOS and check if it can detect the hard disk (see if it lists
the hard disk size and parameters).

It's possible you just got hit with a hardware failure. Do you even see
the POST (power-on self test) screen after you power up (shows some BIOS
info but before Windows starts to boot)? You might not see the POST
screen on some branded computers because they shove their logo on the
screen which obliterates the POST screen.