Malwarebytes blue screen crash

[evad]

Installed Malwarebytes, received an error and ran it any way. It scanned for a little while and crashed to the blue screen. Restarted again, windows loaded and then got another blue screen. Something about a critical file missing or something like that. Now windows won't start. I get some Dell info on the screen and then it looks like the BIOS loads. The screen flashes a line of text that reads loading PBF descriptors "or something like that" then the screen goes black. I can't get into the set up or the boot menu. CPU fan runs and there are no error beeps.
Can anyone help?

[dahlarbear]

1.  Computer.
     a.  What is the make and model name/number of the computer, if brand name computer; otherwise make and model number of motherboard?
     b.  If it's a Dell, what's the "service tag" number?  Easiest to access Dell website support via service tag number...

2.  Operating System.  What is the version and service pack level of the operating system?  For example, Windows XP Professional SP3.

3.  Recovery Media.
     a.  Is there a restore/recovery partition on the hard drive (possibly "hidden")?
     b.  Do you have the restore/recovery CD/DVD for that system?
     c.  Do you have the appropriate install CD/DVD for that operating system?

[evad]

This is a Dell 8400 desk top
Pentium 4
Service tag OU7670
XP Home SP3
If there is a restore partition it is hidden.
Have the OS disk and should have the restore disk.
The browser had been a bit buggy.
Not accessing pages. I could access most but not all by refreshing the window.

[patio]

Sometimes a clean install is the best solution...
You can hook up the drive as a slave in a working machine to get your data backed up...

Slave Drive Tutorial...

[ale52]

Another thing to try is booting into Safe Mode and doing a system restore to a point prior to the problem.

Alan <>< 

[evad]

I am unable to get into safe mode or any other set up.
Machine crashes to a black screen and will not respond to F2, F12 or F anything.

[patio]

I neglected to mention it above but Windows does NOT have to be running to use the slave drive method above to get your data...

[evad]

How do I do a fresh install if can't change the boot order in order to read from my DVD drive?

[patio]

Did you read any of the info above? ?
All of a sudden we are at a clean install ? ?
What did i miss ?

[dahlarbear]

What did i miss ?

The part where they decided to jettison (abandon) the "data"...

1.  Backup Data.  If you want to "save" data off the hard drive, you should do that before attempting any further restore/recovery options.  Did you read the "Slave Drive Tutorial" link patio provided?

2.  Service Tag Number.  The service tag you provided "OU7670", comes up as "invalid" when entered in support pages of "www.dell.com" site.

3.  Restore/Recovery Partition.  It appears that your system does support restore/recovery from the hard drive.  See the "PC Restore for Windows XP" link below.  There's also information in the "Owner's Manual".

I'm not sure what's going on with your "function" key access...  Hope they work, because you'll need them.  Follow the Dell instructions carefully.  Let us know how it goes.

4.  Reference(s):
     a.  Technical Support for Dimension 8400
     b.  PC Restore for Windows XP (from restore/recovery partition)
     c.  Manually Reinstall Your Windows XP Operating System (from CDs)
     d.  Enter the System Setup on the Dell™ Dimension™ 4200, 8100, and Later Computers
     e.  Manuals - Dell™ Dimension™ 8400 Series (Owner's Manual)

[evad]

Not quite ready to jettison yet, but close.
I won't be near this broke machine again until tomorrow evening.
The only other readily available machine I have is a little Insperion desk top. I'm guessing there isn't room to stuff a hard drive in there. I'll have to pull an old machine out of the attic to attempt the back up.

Sorry about the sevice tag.