Windows does not come up on screen

[shriphoot]

  I don't know the terminology but when I turn on this particular computer (not the one I am using) all that comes up is the name of the computer manufacturer.  And in order to run a program, well atleast the only program that has been loaded you have to alt cont del and it takes you to task manager where you can start the program.  When I look in the task manager none of the windows applications are running exclusive of a pause program in systems nothing else in windows is running..... Help Help Help.... And thank You in advance....

                                                      Respectfully    Shriphoot

[patio]

Windows version ?
What happened prior to this ?
Did it ever work properly ?

[shriphoot]

Windows xp.    This computer was given to a friend by their relative.  Apparently everything was taken off the system and reloaded....  They had used it for a couple of years until they purchased a new one...  Windows xp is there based on the task manager but just not running.