Windows XP forum: Computer will not boot normally or into safe mode

I cannot access BIOS as pressing DEL during startup does not work.

That's a sign the keyboard could have a stuck key or other issue. You will not be too successful until that's fixed.
Bob

I have replaced the keyboard with a know good one.

Some PCs take only the maker's keyboard (some Dells) and many PCs only use the rear USB ports. This PC appears to need repairs but given the story so far I'd focus on getting the keyboard working for BIOS access since that's a very basic feature. When that fails, other things usually do as well.
Bob

It may well be the BIOS is already set to boot from CD first. It's a very common setting. So I'd try that without checking in the BIOS.

However, if the boot succeeds, and you want to do something useful, you'll need a working keyboard. So the prospects aren't so very good.

But there's the possibility that your keyboard is USB while the BIOS only sees a PS/2 keyboard (you didn't tell anything about the keyboards you used). Then using a PS/2 keyboard might solve all keyboard issues. And it could even be that Ubuntu or a Windows XP install disk come with a USB-driver for your keyboard.

Kees

I have tried startup with WindowsXP CD still just a blank screen.
I have tried both PS/2 and USB keyboards both known to work with this computer.

It starts to look like something is wrong with the motherboard. Time to start thinking about a new PC, probabky.

Kees

I tried changing the graphics card and removing both hard drives. This time it booted until it said on screen that there was no OS. I pressed DEL and got into the BIOS setup and checked all was OK.
Then I switched off, replaced the hard drives and switched on again. Now its back to nothing on screen!!!
What is happening?

Does it boot from CD without the hard disk? That's the very first step to re-install Windows? If not, still something is wrong with the hardware.

Kees

After leaving the computer off overnight and without changing the graphics card I got the startup messages on the screen. I accessed the BIOS and set the first place to look for an OS as the CDROM.
Then restarted with the WindowsXP disc in the CDROM still with no hard drive in the system. It went through loading up and of course could not find a hard drive.
I switched off and restarted with a blank hard drive connected but this time just got a blank screen.

For me, this means that either that hard disk or the motherboard is defective. The easy way to test the disk is in external enclosure. If it's the motherboard, it only makes sense to replace it if you can find one that accepts both your current CPU and your current RAM. If you can't find such a motherboard, it's time to start thinking about another PC.

Kees

After re-seating the processor all is now well.
So neither the motherboard or the BIOS were faulty.