XP Computer Won't Start Windows

A elderly friend's E-Machine only shows the gray, E-Machines logo page. Windows XP won't boot and the machine must be turned on and off at the button on the front of the computer. I created an MSDOS boot disc on another XP machine and tried starting the computer after I put the disk in - no change.

Anything I could try or should I suggest a new machine. It is about 5 years old and I don't know any of the specifics such as processor speed, ram, etc. Thanks for any help.

 

Are you sure the BIOS is set to boot whatever media you put the boot image on? Is it a floppy disk or CD? Usually if a PC is set to boot from floppy it has to be pretty beat not to even to that. I'd check boot options first before puttin' it out for trash pickup.

If the person is prone to just flick the thing on and off like a TV then it could just have something fried from power surge too.

 

Milesahead,

Thanks for the response. I don't know how the BIOS is set and don't know how to check it to see. I can't get the machine to do anything - won't boot into safe mode. It never gets far enough for me to tap the F8 to try to get it into safe mode.

The boot disk I created was a floppy. I don't know what methods my friend used to start/stop the computer.

 

To check your BIOS on and E-machine you may have to press TAB to lower the splash screen then I believe it's DELETE to enter BIOS. It's been a bit since I had my E-Machine... that may help. Aside from that, do you get any audible beeps from it??