Did you turn the power off? Turn the power switch off on the back of the computer weight. At least 30 seconds and then reboot. Let me know if the same error message appears. So I am assuming that you have tried to boot in safe mode and this is failed as well. Is this correct?

Can you also tell me was the last activity you were doing before your computer stop working?

Of course if your computer is under warranty, and you still have Dell support. I would get them to walk you through this step-by-step if the above statement is not true and you are all on your own that I would give the repair sequence I mentioned below a try?


The error, you are receiving it usually indicates you had some kind of peripheral hooked up to your computer before it crashed. For example, if you were editing graphics. Maybe you had your camera or video camera hooked up to your computer. If that is the case then I would first hookup your device again and see if Windows will boot with it installed. I am very skeptical and doubtful this is the problem. But give it a shot. Otherwise follow the steps below.

okay do you have a bootable disk? Even the Windows operating system disk such as windows XP CD should suffice. Try booting with the Windows XP CD in the CD drive. If this disk boots, it will give you the options to install or reinstall or repair.

follow the steps below.if your CD already boots you don't have to worry about step one.
If not you will have to go into your BIOS and change the boot up setting.if you find this step to difficult or you don't understand it, then do not try it. Don't attempt to do this BIOS change if you're not comfortable.

Then you need to make a bootable disc. In that case, let me know and I can help you otherwise continue to step two.


1. Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, refer to your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.
2. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.
3.When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
4. Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen. Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
5. In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

If the repair doesn't work. You are likely going to have to reinstall Windows. I just want to confirm that absolutely you can not tboot up in safe mode?

no problem hopefully you will get it up and running soon. Don't forget to pack up everything you have it is important to you before you try any repairs. I usually assume that everyone has done that, I guess you can't assume anything. Anyway goodluck. Let me know