Have you tried to start in safe mode do that. Also try disconnecting everything from power including the router and modem leave off five minutes then power up in this order, power to start modem let it fully light up, power to the router let it fully light up, then the PC.

Here is a link that might be useful: safe mode

Yes, definitely try Safe Mode. Last week I was uninstalling something from startup, and, as a result, Windows would not load. I started in Safe Mode (everything is verrrryy slow) and restored to a day earlier which undid my boo boo. Of course, you may have a greater problem, but it's certainly worth a try.

I'm trying to understand what a cable/dsl modem would have to do with Ginny's problems?

Immediately after the BIOS splash screen start tapping the F8 key at about 1 second intervals. You should get the Windows advanced options menu. If Windows starts (or tries to start) just let the machine finish booting and then power down and try again. Sometimes it takes a couple of attempts.

I'd try safe mode first.

yes that is why I said try safe mode First and gave the LINK with full instructions . And the reason for the power cycle is this comment which we really don't know how to interpret now do we. "no signal"today
And it certainly won't HURT anything.
wow

First thing to do in my opinion is to get the computer to shut off. Either hold the on/off button in for at least 4 seconds which should do it, or remove the power plug from the back of the tower.

Once it has ceased all activity then start it again and watch the screen and the LED lights on the front of the tower (assuming this is a desktop confuser of course. The LEDs should show as one constantly on and the other blinking as the hard drive works.

My computer is running again. I cannot give you the specific words as to what he did - something with "boot track." It took him a couple of tries but he managed to bring it back without having to do a restore from my Acronis backup.

He said 3 things could have caused or contributed to my problem.

I was infected with the virus discussed at this website
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9235204/Website_of_US_based_gas_turbine_maker_also_rigged_with_new_IE_exploit

Windows Automatic Updates which run at 2am ran into a problem....

I have too much on my computer - 132 GB. He was quite emphatic that Windows does not do well with so much on a computer; I should have 50-60 GB of files, not 132.

My computer is 9 years old which doesn't help.

I am about to make the switch from PC to Mac and this tells me I need to do it very very soon. In the meantime I will get off some of the files I can live without, or put them on DVD.

Thank you as always, for your ideas. I really do appreciate it and will miss you when I switch. I see there is a MAC forum here so I won't have to leave GW Computer Forum entirely :)

Ginny

I have too much on my computer - 132 GB. He was quite emphatic that Windows does not do well with so much on a computer; I should have 50-60 GB of files, not 132.

Glad to read you have it all fixed again.

The statement about too much data on the hard drive needs clarifying. There is no limit to how much data one can store on a hard drive providing there is always 20 to 25% free space for the swap file to work efficiently A good indicator of too little space is when the activity light on the computer seems to be flashing on and off continually while you are working.

My hard drive is 500GB with 120GB "used" and 344 GB "free space."

My computer guy who I believe is quite smart, feels Windows cannot handle this many files no matter the fact my hard drive is only 1/3 full.

I know the world is full of different opinions and this is his. I respect the opinions of all you guys but don't feel I have to figure this one out since I'm moving to Mac.

He did say I will have an easier time with this much stuff on the Mac since they are Linux based.

Thanks again!

Ginny

Based on the tech's statement one has to wonder why folks buy one and two terrabytes hard drives?

I'll leave the Mac products with Linux based operating systems to those who own Apple products but Linux is free Apple is quite expensive????

Actually OS X is Unix based but so is Linux. I suppose that makes OS X and Linux siblings.

OS X is only $29. It's the hardware that runs the operating system that's a little expensive. ;)

I run Linux and prefer doing so but it's not like it will handle more files.

I had a terabyte or so hooked to XP several years ago and Windows handled it fine. It still will.

I too am glad you got your problem fixed.

This comment:
"I have too much on my computer - 132 GB. He was quite emphatic that Windows does not do well with so much on a computer"

Is complete hogwash. Unless he's saying that you had too much browser accumulation. Windows can handle 100 times as much in files to access, and more. There's simply no problem, what you have is light compared to what many have. I myself have more than 10X as much as you and there's no issue at all.

On the other hand, it's easy to justify replacing a 9 year old computer if that's what you want to do. New toys are fun!