computer not working at all

[NSolano]

My friend's computer does not work at all. He has a sony and it is a windows XP. The computer turns on but then only the screen listing all these devices appears. It says PCI device listing and up top it has serial number and other stuff. It is a black screen, from there I can't do anything. Nothing else appears, I can't even attempt to start the computer from safe mode. any ideas why this is happening?

 

[linney]

Not exactly sure whether you are referring to the Booting screen or some type of Safe Mode screen, the former at a guess?

A couple of things to look at.

See if you can at least boot from this.

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Try running ChkDsk /r from the Recovery Console.

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

This is a layman's version of Q307545 in simple language.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

If nothing is booting you could try resetting the Bios back to safe defaults and see if that helps.