can't start Windows XP [after hissing sound and blank screen]

I tried to upgrade the Windows Media Player responding to a prompt.

In the process the machine (E-machine desktop) made a long hissing sound and the screen went blank.

When I re-start it will not do so.
When I try to re-start from the CD it takes several attempts before it does anything. Most times the E-machine logo appears on the screen but not clear, distorted, and it will not do anything else.

I try to turn off but it won't unless I depress the power button and keep it depressed until it turns off. Only after doing this several times will it begin tio respond.

The last time I reached as far as re-set, but a blue screen popped up warning not to go further.

My suscription Norton's 360 degrees expired recently, I was not aware.

Q: What can I do?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have to offer.

 

If the sound came from within the computer case, and not the speakers, then I agree with Pete - it sounds like hardware failure. Did you smell any pungent burning odor afterwards?

If this is a power supply problem, more damage may occur if you keep trying it. The fact you can get some life out of the computer suggests the PSU is putting out some power, and that something on the motherboard might have blown, or graphics card, if separate. In any case, I recommend taking it to a shop - where preventing further damage is their problem. If you have any data on the drive you don't want to lose, I recommend pulling the drive and installing it as a secondary drive in another computer, then backup your data.