computer broken - only black screen and mouse pointer

[walrusgod]

I was using my computer as usual, on the internet, when the browser window suddenly closed, after an error message had flashed up too quickly to read. I tried to reopen the window several times, but the same thing happened, so I decided to restart. It appeared to restart normally, until the point where you choose which user (windows xp home), where instead of the normal user selection screen the screen goes black, except for the mouse pointer. Sometimes after a couple of minutes the computer restarts itself, but it ends up back at the same place. Same thing happens if you turn it off and on again (by holding down the power button). The computer is ~7 years old. I've tried safe mode and a few of the other options that appear when you press f8 whilst the computer is starting up, but it always just leads to a black screen with the mouse pointer.
Let me know if you need any more info.

Thanks

 

[Bodaggit23]

Is this a prebuilt or custom built system?

Do you have a retail Windows XP disc?

 

[walrusgod]

Prebuilt (shop bought). I've managed to find some possible solutions on the internet, and I think I have that disk somewhere.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314503

I think I'll follow these instructions and try a repair, was that what you were getting at?

 

[Bodaggit23]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.