Computer won't turn on

[JustBegun]

I have a gateway 550 gr with windows xp.  recently it would boot up to the point where there is a single wight dot on the screen and i pressed f8 and started it in safe mode and then got it to start normally.  Now, i turn it on and it gets stuck on the gateway screen every time not allowing me to even press f8.  There is less than 5 free gb on the computer's hard drive which could be the problem.  Also I have an external hard drive attached and in the past it has caused problems but i don't want to remove it without using the safely remove hardware button.  Any ideas?

[davidoc]

I would whilst the pc is switched off remove the external drive and then see if the pc boots up properly...if it does then you know where the problems lies.

[patio]

Clik Here...

Also that free space is probably the issue...what size drive is it ?
Windows needs approx. 15% free to operate...

[JustBegun]

thanks. if i remove the external hard drive will it risk damaging the files on it?
there are two internal hard drives. The main one has 260 gb and the slave drive has 250. 

[drmsucks]

if i remove the external hard drive will it risk damaging the files on it?

The advice was to remove the drive while the computer was off, therefore, you will not damage any contents of the drive.

[JustBegun]

yea i removed the drive and it started up. thanks

[patio]

Clik Here...

Also that free space is probably the issue...what size drive is it ?
Windows needs approx. 15% free to operate...

This question needs to be addressed....it has nothing to do with the external drives.
If your main drive is getting low on space you will continue to have issues and /or risk losing all your data.