My Computer Crashed...please help

[MeNiS]

hi, my computer crashed the other night. Windows XP will not start up at all. When i turn on the computer, there is a screen that say window was not properly shut down and list me the option of starting in safe mode, last good known configuration, or normal startup. Ive tried all the option but it comes up a blank black screen after i select it or would just reboot again. I was wondering if reformatting the hard drive and reinstall windows xp will solve the problem? I have never done this before so if you could help me out with the procedure/steps to reformat and reinstall, it would be great! thanks!!

some info on my system....amd 2400, 512 ddr ram, 80 gb seagate hd, tdk 24x cd-rw

 

[seraph621]

Before you go through the time and trouble of OS re-installation.. try to use the XP CD to repair the windows installation. Perhaps it's just a MBR (master boot record) problem.

 

[MeNiS]

do i just put in the XP CD and let it boot from there? I think I tried that already but that didn't work. Do I have to type in any command? Sorry for sounding like such a newbie - well i am one!