I turn computer on it goes to select user I can't it won't highlight my selection and go to desktop screen Windows XP

Which operating system ?
Restart your computer repeatedly tapping the f8 key to enter safe mode while the screen is black once in safe mode where the only things working will be your keyboard and mouse allowing you to attempt to repair your computer
Windows Advanced Options Menu

Please select an option:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode

Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode
Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice
select safe mode with command prompt

Click start run type cmd press Enter
black screen should open DOS mode
this will vary depending on your operating system

type in net user username
For eg. If you want to change administrator password , type net user Administrator

It will prompt you to enter the new password.
Enter the new password and the password is changed

or

Click "Start," then select "Run." In the text box displayed, enter "control userpasswords2" and press "Enter." This opens a configuration window.

Click the user for whom you want to disable the password login.
After selecting the user, remove the check mark labeled "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer."

Click "Apply."

A dialog box will prompt you for the password.
Enter the user's password to authorize the changes and press "OK."

Reboot your Windows XP computer.
When it shows the list of user profiles, click the user whose password was disabled.

You should be able to log in without a password.

Reboot the computer As the computer is booting repeatadly press the F8 key as the computer is booting

If done properly the user should get to a screen similar to the below screen.

Select the option for Safe mode command prompt only

Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode

Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice

select the safe mode option

then run your antivirus if still cant get rid of the virus restart again

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.

select safe mode with networking download anti malware and microsoft security essentials

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/virus-malware.aspx?q=virus

anti virus and malware

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

hope it helps

If running XP

A log-on loop on your Windows XP computer is a difficult situation where the computer never completes its boot cycle, restarting intermittently ad nauseam.

This issue indicates a major problem with the boot functionality of your XP system.

Restore the computer to working order by utilizing the repair and restoration utility on your XP system disk.

Insert the XP disk into the computer.

Restart the computer.

Press any key when prompted to boot from the disk.

Press "Enter" at the first screen and "F8" at the license terms.

Highlight the drive containing XP and press "R," repairing the operating system boot files and removing the log-on loop.

or

Windows XP sometimes has a glitch when you are logging in to your user account in order to boot the operating system.

The glitch logs you in and then logs you off the account.

This problem is usually caused by one of the programs that load during the computer's start-up.

Fixing this issue is a matter of ensuring that whatever program is causing the problem doesn't start up as soon as you start your computer.

or

Power on the computer and allow it to get to the user logon page normally.

There is no need to start up the computer in "safe mode."

Click the user who is having the issue and type in the user's password if one is set up.

Press and hold the "shift" button on your computer keyboard as soon as you see the tool bar load up at the bottom of the screen but before any other program has a chance to do so.

This stops any "Startup" program from running and logging you off.

Right-click the "Start" button on the bottom left of your screen.

Select "Explore" from the menu that appears.

Double-click "Programs" from the list on the left side of the window that pops up.

Double-click "Startup."

Select all the files inside the "Startup" folder by dragging a box over them.

Right-click anywhere on the selected files.

Select "Delete" to delete those files.

Note that deleting the programs from the "Startup" folder does not delete them from your computer.

All this does is make it so that these programs no longer start as your computer is starting so that any error in the running of the programs doesn't interfere with logging in to your account.

Hope this helps

My answer will help Windows XP and Windows 7 users.
When the computer starts, start pressing F8 button. After several seconds you will see the following menu.
Safe Mode Safe Mode with Networking Safe Mode with Command Prompt ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

If you have Win XP, there will be a menu item as 'Enable VGA Mode'. In Win 7 you will see 'Enable low-resolution video (640 x 480)'
Select this option and press enter. (XP users will have to enter again).
After the computer is ready, goto display properties and save the resolution.

- In XP right-click on desktop, select 'Properties', Click the 'Settings' tab (last tab on top), and click 'OK' button.

- In Win 7, Right-click on screen and select 'Screen Resolution'. Click 'OK' button.

(Ignore any warnings)

Restart the computer.

Set the screen resolution again to a reasonable setting.

- Be careful! If you set it too high (if the monitor does not support the resolution you select), again the screen might disappear! (Sometimes this happen automatically after installing a game)

If CTRL+F11 is not working the only other option is to boot from the OS CD issued to you by Dell.

1 Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD drive, and then restart your computer. If the messagePress any key to boot from the CD... appears, press a key to continue booting to the CD.
2 In the Windows XP Setup screen (Figure 1), press to set up Windows XP.

3 In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, read the license agreement, and then press to scroll through the agreement.

4 Press to accept the terms and conditions specified in the license agreement. The partition screen is displayed. depending on your computer configuration, the partitions listed may include a PC Restore partition (2.7 to 4.75 GB) or a MediaDirect (1.2 GB) partition.

5 Highlight the largest partition and press .

If you are prompted to format the partition, use the up or down arrow keys to highlight Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick). Press or , if applicable, to format the partition. In cases where the drive must be checked for errors, select the Format the partition using the NTFS file system option.

Setup will format the drive, if necessary, then copy the files needed for installation. This process can take several minutes. Once done, Windows will restart the computer to continue Setup from the hard drive.

6 After the computer restarts, Setup continues with a graphical user interface (GUI) in the classic Windows theme. In this stage, you are asked to input information to personalize your installation. Your screen may blink several times during this process, which is normal. The information to input, and the order it is provided, is shown below:

1. Click Next on the Regional and Language Options window.
   
2. In the Personalize Your Software screen, type your name in the Name: field and your organization's name in the Organization: field, if applicable, and click Next.
   
3. In the Computer Name screen, type the computer name in the Computer Name: field if you want to change it from the name provided. For Windows XP Professional Edition users, type a password in the Administrator Password:field and then type the same password in the Confirm Password: field.
   
4. Click Next.
   
   In the Date and Time Settings screen, verify that the correct Date, Time, andTime Zone appear, and click Next.
5. In the Networking Settings screen, click to select Typical, and click Next. If available, click Skip to skip the networking setup section. For Windows XP Professional users, click to select No, this computer is not on a network..., and click Next.
   

Setup will finalize the installation and should complete within 30 minutes of this point. Once complete, the computer will restart.

7 After the computer reboots, the newly installed operating system will attempt to configure itself for your detected devices, however many of your device drivers are not yet installed. Use the following to finish the configuration and prepare the computer for driver installation:

1. If the Display Settings message appears, click OK.
   
2. If a Monitor Settings message appears, click OK.
   
3. In the Welcome to Microsoft Windows window, click Next.
   
4. In the registration screen, click to select No, not at this time and click Next. You will be prompted to register your computer again later.
   
5. In the Do you want to set up Internet access now? window, click to selectNo, not at this time and click Next.
   
6. In the Who will use this computer? window, type the user name of your choice in the Your name: text box. Type the name of any additional Users that will be using the computer in the additional text boxes provided.
   
7. Click Next to continue.
   
8. Click Finish.
   

***Using the Start Menu

• Press a Windows key (the ones with the Windows symbol on as shown right), this will open up the Start Menu.
• Use the cursor keys (the ones with arrows on) to highlight 'Turn off Computer' and press Enter to select it
• A dialog box will open. Use the cursor keys to to highlight 'Shutdown computer', 'Turn off' or whatever your version of Windows says, and press Enter again.

***Using the 'three finger salute'
Hold down Ctrl and Alt, and press Delete.
Windows 2000 and XP Home Edition users will be presented with a dialog box with buttons on:

• · Use the cursor keys to select the 'Shut Down' button and use Enter to select it.
• · Select 'Shut down' from the list using the cursor keys and press Enter one more time.

In other versions of Windows the Task Manager will open:

• · Hold down Alt and press U to open the 'Shut Down' menu.
• · Use the cursor keys to highlight 'Turn Off' and press Enter.

***Hit Alt F4 'till you can't any more
The final method of shutting down that I will explain here is to hold down the Alt key and press F4 repeatedly. This will close every application that is open on Windows and eventually will close Windows itself. You may be asked if you want to save files by some programs, if so use the cursor keys and Enter to get past these dialog boxes.

To reinstall Windows XP, perform all the steps in the following sections in the order in which they are listed.
The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.
Booting From the Operating System CD Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
Insert the Operating System CD. Click Exit if Install Windows XP message appears.
Restart the computer.
Press <F12> immediately after the DELL™ logo appears.
If the operating system logo appears, wait until you see the Windows desktop, and then shut down the computer and try again. Press the arrow keys to select CD-ROM, and press <Enter>.
When the Press any key to boot from CD message appears, press any key.
Windows XP Setup
When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press <Enter> to select To set up Windows now.
Read the information on the Microsoft Windows Licensing Agreement screen, and press <F8> to accept the license agreement.
If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to recover your current Windows XP data, type r to select the repair option, and remove the CD.
If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press <Esc> to select that option.
Press <Enter> to select the highlighted partition (recommended), and follow the instructions on the screen.
When the Regional and Language Options screen appears, select the settings for your location and clickNext.
Enter your name and organization (optional) in the Personalize Your Software screen, and click Next.
At the Computer Name and Administrator Password window, enter a name for your computer (or accept the one provided) and a password, and click Next.
If the Modem Dialing Information screen appears, enter the requested information and click Next.
Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings window, and click Next.
If the Networking Settings screen appears, click Typical and click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional and you are prompted to provide further information regarding your network configuration, enter your selections. If you are unsure of your settings, accept the default selections.
When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click Next.
When the How will this computer connect to the Internet? message appears, click Skip.
When the Ready to register with Microsoft? screen appears, select No, not at this time and click Next.
When the Who will use this computer? screen appears, you can enter up to five users.
Click Next.
Click Finish to complete the setup, and remove the CD.
Reinstall the appropriate drivers with the Drivers and Utilities CD.
Reinstall your virus protection software.
Reinstall your programs.

1. Insert the Operating System CD into the CD or DVD drive.
   
   

Close any program or utility that may start to run after you insert the CD into the drive.
HINT: The CD that you need to place in your CD or DVD drive is titled Operating System.

1. Turn off the computer, and then turn the computer on again.
   
   
2. When the blue Dell logo appears, press immediately.
   
   

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down the computer and try again.

1. Use the arrow keys to select the CD-ROM option, and then press .
   
   
2. When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press to select To set up Windows now.
   
   
3. Read the information in the License Agreement window, and then press on your keyboard to agree with the license information.
   
   
4. If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to recover your current Windows XP data, type r to select the repair option, and then go to step 15.
   
   

If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press to select the fresh copy option, and then press on the next screen to select the highlighted partition (recommended). Then follow the instructions on the screen.

The Windows XP Setup screen appears and Windows XP begins to copy files and install the devices. The computer automatically restarts multiple times before it requires additional input.

1. When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Follow the on-screen directions to finish.
   
   
2. When the Regional Settings screen appears, select the settings for your locale, and then click Next.
   
   
3. Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software screen, and then click Next.
   
   
4. If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, enter a name for your computer when the Computer Namewindow appears, and then click Next.
   
   

If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, enter a name for your computer and a password when theComputer Name and Administrator Password window appears, and then click Next.

1. If you have a modem installed and the Modem Dialing Information screen appears, enter the requested information, and then click Next.
   
   
2. Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings window, and then click Next.
   
   
3. If you have a network card in your computer, select the appropriate network settings. If you do not have a network card, this option does not appear.
   
   

Windows XP begins to install its components and configure the computer. The computer automatically restarts.

1. When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Follow the on-screen directions to finish.
   
   
2. Remove the CD from the drive.
   
   
3. Reinstall the appropriate drivers. See "Reinstalling Drivers."
   
   
4. Reinstall your virus protection software.
   

How to use the function (Fn) keys on the keyboard - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p, T43, T43p


Switching the display output location.
Switch between the computer display and an external monitor. If an external monitor is attached, the computer output is displayed in the following three patterns by turns:

• External monitor (CRT display)
• Computer display and external monitor (LCD + CRT display)
• Computer display (LCD)

Notes:

• For any operating system other than Windows 2000 or Windows XP, no additional procedure is needed. Just press Fn+F7.
• This function is not supported if different desktop images are displayed on the computer display and the external monitor (the Extend desktop function).
• This function does not work while a DVD movie or a video clip is playing.

To enable this function in Windows 2000 and Windows XP, the following procedure is needed:

1. When you log on to Windows 2000 and Windows XP for the first time, press Fn + F7 and select a display-switching function in the Initial setup window. Since in Windows 2000 and Windows XP multiple users can log on to a single operating system by using different user IDs, each user needs to select the function in the initial setup window when logging on for the first time.
2. If the Fn + F7 key combination have been assigned to a presentation scheme function, start Presentation Director, and change the settings.