Desktop Computer Packages

What is wrong with my desktop computer? Compaq....will not start up?

My computer is just a couple of years old. I have virus protection. When I try to start the computer it come to the Compag (red and white) screen. It says loading file menu and then it freezes. We called Compaq tech support and they said that t was a "problem with the hard drive" to send it in with $199.00 and they can fix it. Is there anything I can try on my own? I would take it to a local computer repair shop before I sent it in to Compaq (along with my $199). But if there is anything I can try please let me know.

Public Comments

1. If you have your operating system disk try booting up from the disk instead of the h/d and see what happens. If it works then it is a h/d problem. If not, it is a boot sequence problem (possibly a missing file).
2. You can try to get an external Hard Drive. They sell them at Wal-Mart. For a 100GB it costs about $79.85. I saw them a couple days ago. I hope this helps.
3. It's a Compaq. Go get a Mac and save the trouble.
4. well i had same problem a few days ago. if you want repartition he hard drive and try that. if that doesn't work you may have to buy a new hard drive. but most likely its a virus holding ur computer from a full boot and the bios is fine good luck super-6-1
5. If you can run the restore or repair on your pc then do that. Instert the recovery cd or XP cd in your computer and reboot. If you cannot run the restore then your HD is bad. Go buy a new one for way less then 199.00 and install it yourself. Then put your recovery cd in and let it reformat your computer.