computer just goes to flashing cursor

[magicharley]

I am having an issue with my computer. (Windows xp)I keep my computer very clean and run antivirus and lavasoft adware weekly. My computer is about five years old. Its a hp. Cant tell you too much more because it wont come on. I have not installed anything recently or had any issues. It was working fine one night and I shut it down and went to bed. I went to start it the next day and all it does is come on..(fans working) you can see the working light start flashing and it comes up nvidia software...like it always does then goes straight to a flashing cursor and stays there...nothing more. No windows logo no nothing. I tried hitting f8....f10...f2....nothing! I cant get it to do anything. I dont have alot of money and I was just wondering if anyone could help with what it possibly could be.. I was thinking maybe the hard drive???

[Broni]

I tried hitting f8

Keep TAPPING F8 key, when computer starts, and see, if you can get to menu screen.
Do you have Windows CD?

[magicharley]

Yes I did try to keep tapping f8. It just stays at the flashing cursor... I have a windows millennium CD from a while back. I am not sure if I still have the Cd's that came with this computer when I bought it or not.

[Broni]

Since this is Windows XP, Windows ME CD won't do.
Turn computer off. Open the case, ground yourself, and re-seat RAM, and video card (if separate).
Use compressed air can to clean inside.
Restart again.

[Acefsj]

Same thing happened to me not to long ago with a friends comp.
 The only thing i found that worked was reformatting the hard drive. I posted in allot of forums and still everything that was recommended did not work. In the end reformatting was it. Works great ever since

[magicharley]

Thanks Broni, I will try that when I get home and see if that works. If not and I do need to reformat like Acefsj  said, how would I go about doing that since I cant get it to respond to anything in the first place? Thanks again for al your help!!

[Broni]

Put Windows CD in, and restart. It should boot from CD.

[magicharley]

ok,... I bought my pc from best buy and it came with 2 disk. one is for a bunch of software stuff that I dont use and I am not sure what the other one is. I know I dont have a windows xp disc. I had to format my drive one time before about 2 years ago but I think I just did it when the computer was booting up and I hit f...something...its been a while since I did it.

[Broni]

The other one may be some Recovery CD. That's all you need. You have to be aware, though, that all your data will be lost.

[magicharley]

Thats ok...I didnt have anything important on there that I dont have on disc so I am ok on that part. I just want to get it back to working.. Thanks for all your help Broni. I will post on here tomorrow night and let you know how it went..Thanks again!!

[Broni]

We'll be here

[magicharley]

ok...I started it up to see whats going on again and .....mysteriously it came up like normal??
I didnt do anything at all to it. I took it apart anyway and cleaned it. Thanks for all of your help!
This looks like a good place to go for help. I will be on here again I am sure. Thanks again!

[Broni]

Things like this happen. I'm glad, it worked for you
You should consider backup strategy, if you don't have one.