Blank screen on startup

[GavW]

Hey all I am having a problem booting up Windows.

After the XP loading page (just before the login screen) the monitor flickers slightly and I am being presented with a blank screen. I was getting the blue screen prior to this.

I would like to know:
a) does anybody have any ideas what the problem could be or how to fix it?
b) is there anyway that I can copy a few files onto external media as the only reason I am not formating is because I would like to keep hold of certain files

Thanks

 

[linney]

314503 - Computer Stops Responding with a Black Screen When You Start Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314503&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Q305595 - HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/5/95.asp

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

Also try Chkdsk /r from the Recovery Console as well as the FixMbr program.

Further advice can be found here.

XP will not boot
thread779-849914


Some other useful suggestions are contained in this thread.

Cannot logon to winxp...losing lots of valuable documents
thread779-975236