help! computer problem

[Giggsie]

I switched on my desktop comp today and screen was just a mass of coloured squares. I had not time to waste on it as I needed a photo copy done so off it went. I now have tried to put it on again and it is not going past the black screen with the writing on it can anyone help as to what I can do. It's on windows xp. I tried pressing enter whilst on this screen but does nothing.

[MarkRae]

Throw us a bone, won't you?! What does the last piece of writing say...?

[Giggsie]

Hi mark it says" For trouble shooting and advanced startup options for windows press F8" I have tried doing that but nothing responds to my pressing it.

[Toby570]

Turn it back on whilst repeatedly tapping at the f8 key, if you don't see a menu giving options of how to start the computer then maybe it's time to format the drive and start again.

[MarkRae]

Does it beep twice or more when it starts up...?

[Giggsie]

Hi Mark don't hear any beeps. Did as Toby said and now have the options screen up what do I now do?

[Giggsie]

ah!!!! thanks set it to reboot and that did it . It's on yeah got photo copy done thankyou again.

[Giggsie]

thought my problem was solved (it did last night) tried to put computer on tonight and it is doing the same again. When I press F1 nothing happens when I press F8 as suggested last night, then reboot it shuts down.Anyone help me?