Dell Dimensions won't boot

[SC8488]

I have this Dell that my sister uses which she overloaded with spyware and in a nutshell i had to reformat and re-install windows xp. The problem initially was that i couldn't change the display (stuck at 640 by 480) it wouldn't let me change it. The control panel showed conflicts (yellow exclamation) on video display adapter as well as most of my usb ports, im guessing because some of the drivers weren't loades correctly. Anyway i probably just needed to dl the drivers or load them from a cd but i uninstalled all the conflicting devices, it's never caused me a problem before and when i went to boot up it shows the dell logo, the windows xp splash screen and the screen turns blank (the cpu power just stays on). I can't figure out what's wrong with it. Also i opened the cpu up just to take a look at some of the components, i took out the ram and snapped it back in and went to reboot again and now the cpu is making a screeching noise when i start it up, (same black screen), i'm not sure if thats coinciding with me opnening the computer or not... any help at all would be apreciated

 

[jancz3rt]

I have this Dell that my sister uses which she overloaded with spyware and in a nutshell i had to reformat and re-install windows xp. The problem initially was that i couldn't change the display (stuck at 640 by 480) it wouldn't let me change it.....Also i opened the cpu up just to take a look at some of the components, i took out the ram and snapped it back in and went to reboot again and now the cpu is making a screeching noise when i start it up, (same black screen), i'm not sure if thats coinciding with me opnening the computer or not... any help at all would be apreciated

Heya, I truly do not know what could be wrong. However, I have some questions to ask. What do you mean by opening the CPU? The screeching noise could be made by a fan. Your CPU could be overheating because the cooling of it has failed. That could explain the black screen. However, you also said that it was stuck on the 640 by 480. As far as I know, Windows XP does not even require to have graphics drivers installed in order to change the resolution. Otherwise I am clueless....try to give us more info.

JAN

 

[Praetor]

i took out the ram and snapped it back in and went to reboot again and now the cpu is making a screeching noise when i start it up, (same black screen),

1. CPUs dont make noise ... try and locate exactly what is making that noise
2. Did you plug the RAM back in the right way? Right socket?
3. Try just a reformat to rule out software issues