First, if you're actually running a secondary monitor, unplug it an only use the main screen.
How To Start In 'Safe Mode'
If you can start into Safe Mode, try cleaning out the Temporary folders on the computer, (Temp, Temporary Internet Files, etc.), then uninstall any recently added programs or P2P programs, then attempt to run Error Checking/Chkdsk per the instructions below:.
Next, If you can start in Safe Mode, make sure to scan the computer with ALL of your various antispyware tools. You DO have a variety of antispyware and antivirus scanners installed and up to date? If not, please do so.
And if you're still having problems and they can't be corrected, you may want to consider returning it for another.
Hope this helps.
Grif
So, I have a Compaq Presario notebook with windows Vista basic installed on it (not alot of tech specs I know, but I don't think it really factors into my problem). Before work this morning I shut it down, just your typical event... but when I came home this evening and turned it on, it's been giving me problems. I turn it on, 2 seconds later the compaq logo comes on, then it's just a black screen, with a little blinking typing cursor (that does nothing but cause the computer to beep when you hit a key). That's it. It does this time after time, I've tried starting it up with many different variations, like wth/without the ac adpater plugged in, monitor plugged/unplugged, etc. and I still get the same result. Does anyone know if this is a common problem or something? Thanks.