The computer keeps restarting over and over without booting to Windows; doesn't even make the POST. I'm certain that this is a hardware problem. I have reset the CMOS, eliminated connections, tried another power supply... all to no avail. My system is a Pentium 4, 3.00 ghz and 4 gb of memory, which I also took off and cleaned them, I haven't tried new ones. Can anyone help...

Reboot windows without any CD in drive and tap F8 key before windows screen appears. Select safe mode from the menu that appears and elect to do a system restore.
If this doesn't work you could try changing the boot order in the bios ensuring that your hard drive is first boot device. should get into bios when starting PC usually F2 or del key. remember to save changes in bios normally F10

if you are referring to the installaion disk

restart your computer during the boot process you will see on the screen to press a certain key to enter setup
Press and hold that key during the boot up process to enter BIOS the using arrow keys scroll down to advanced bios features press enter change your first boot device to cd press escape then press f10 to save to cmos to restart

note this will erase you operating system you will have to have an operating system disk to load it onto you hard drive or create a partition to load another operating system
(note after you have loaded the operating system you should go back and change the first boot device to your failsafe or optimized defaults)
after windows has loaded

your computer will automatically restart it might restart 2 times one to finish the installation
the next will be because the operating system is loaded and will boot from your cd
during the boot process you will see on the screen to press a certain key to enter setup
Press and hold that key during the boot up process to enter BIOS using the arrow keys load failsafe defaults or load optimized defaults press escape then press f10 to save to cmos to restart

hope this helps you

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

you could select the option start at last known configuration that worked this will tell you if and what file has been corrupted or missing then you will know if its a hardware issue
restart your computer during the boot process you will see on the screen to press a certain key to enter setup

Press and hold that key during the boot up process to enter BIOS the scroll down to advanced bios features press enter change your first boot device to cd,press escape then press f10 to save to cmos to restart

if you need more help with this post a reply

hope it helps

Could you describe what exactly you are seeing when you try to turn your computer on? (blank screen, curser blinking in upper rt corner.....)
My first instinct would be to insert windows disk (while the computer is on of course) then restart and keep pressing f12 until you get a boot menu. Choose to boot from your optical drive and choose "repair"
If this doesn't help, please post a comment letting me know what happened and I will be happy to offer further advise.
Cheers...

Hello,

You issue could be both hardware and software related. The Blue Screen of Death is one that I don't like to see but can be easy to solve at times. First, I would recommend you recheck and hardware that was newly installed; memory cards, cables, etc. Verify they are connected or inserted correctly. Next, if this is a new install of Windows 2008, verify that your server meets the hardware captiablity for S2008. (Remember, this is a 64-bit os and you will need drivers if your server is 32-bit based.) You can find this out by inserting the Windows Server 2008 boot disc and run the Check System for Compatiablity function from the menu.
If you are certain that you have no hardware issues and the install was performed correctly, you may need to reinstall Server '08 and monitor the install for any exceptions that may occur.

Good Luck,
C2Solutions

The beep codes indicate there is a problem keeping it from starting. You code post the model, etc. of the computer, and the number of beeps, and if there are long or short beeps. Mostly these are memory and/or video. If you can, disconnect the hard drive, cd, and any extra cards (sound card, modem, network). Re-seat (remove and re-install) RAM and video card, then try it again. Re-post if you are still getting beep codes with # of beeps, etc.

if you want to install xp to your computer

During the boot process you will see on the screen to press a certain key to enter setup

Press and hold that key during the boot up process to enter BIOS the scroll down to advanced bios features press enter change your first boot device to cd,press escape then press f10 to save to cmos to restart

(note after you have loaded the operating system you must go back and change the first boot device to your hard drive)

The BIOS is AMI. Under ADVANCED SETUP:
The options listed for 1st,2nd ,3rd Boot device include:
IDE-0 means Pri master ?
IDE-1 means Pri slave ?
IDE-2 means Sec master ?
IDE-3 means Sec slave ?

hope this helps

Try to restart the computer in Last known good configuration from the Advance boot options by restarting the computer using F8 key continuously.
If doesn't work then put in the Windows CD.
If Windows XP :
Restart the computer and keep tapping F12.
From boot menu highlight CD/DVD or IDE CD ROM or USB CD ROM.
Keep on pressing enter on it until get the screen loading files.
Then on the first Welcome page press "R"
If you have a dual-boot or multiboot system, select the installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console.
Enter the Admin password if dont have any password then leave blank and press enter.
Then type the command chkdsk drive /p /r
(drive is the partition on which windows is installed, C: or D:)
It will take around 30 to 45 mins to complete then restart the computer.

PowerSuite Golden is the right software you need in your case, it is an awesome toolkit that includes a boot CD and several other data rescue tools that help get your PC going even if Windows won't start or computer won't boot up at all. Download the ISO file----> Burn it to CD----> Boot your PC from the CD by setting the CD drive as the first boot device in the boot sequence.

Have you checked to make sure that the boot order is correct in the BIOS?