on most of them it is F8 that you hit as soon as it starts to come on just keep hitting that it should take you to safe mode start and you can select the last known good choice and see if that will start it. Here is the page with directions for safe mode in windows 7
Start your computer in safe mode

I know others are more familiar with 7 since I rarely use it, my husband has it on his laptop.

So anyone else please jump in if you know something else to try in 7

Casi "nothing" is very illusive so we need you to expand on where the nothing starts.

I assume the couple of windows you see are the black screen with white writing as the computer completes the POST sequence.

Do you get the audible POST beep?
Is it only one beep?
Is one of these screens the HP splash screen?
Laptop or desktop?
With a desktop there are normally 2 lights on the tower, one is constant and is the power LED, the other flashes intermittently when the hard drive spins up. Do yours do that? The laptop would be similar but they seem to be in so many places making it harder for the user to really pay attention to them. Look around for them if a laptop and note what happens so we know more.
Do you hear the fan/s running?

I get a response from F11 and F8, but the screen flashes so fast and then it is gone. I think I have big problems which really makes me mad. My last PC which was also an HP was a lemon...one of the newest all-in-ones. A lot of folks who had them had problems. I wish I hadn't stayed with HP now. It is like the same problem....black screen. We are leaving on vacation tomorrow and I don't have time for this to be happening now!!!

OK so F8 and F11 create a response of sorts. From the glimpse you see is this the same screen or different?
Can you press both keys - one at a time of course - during the same boot sequence or are these during different startups?

What about my original questions? The more pertinent information you provided the better help might be, you are our eyes and ears here.

Do you get the audible POST beep?
Is it only one beep?
Is one of these screens the HP splash screen?
Laptop or desktop?
Do you hear the fan/s running?

This just might help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Microsoft help.

no idea why that is labeled microsoft help it does not go to microsoft at all it is showing as an overhead door site called lift master.

Casi if you keep hitting f8 constantly the minute you choose to boot up does the screen come up at all? what exactly are you seeing? and let us know the answers Owbist asked please.

do you know if you had by any chance just done any windows updates?

Thanks all, I thought I replied to this earlier, but I guess I didn't follow thru with the submit. I've been busy, we are leaving in the am for a week to Yellowstone.
It is a desk top. I do get the HP splash...then I get the black page with the white writing which I think says re-start, maybe....it happens so fast I can't read it but I try to hit the enter button....then I get the black screen with the white rectangle....Microsoft corporation...then I get a blue screen with a circle thing...........then black screen. I don't hear a beep. I heard the fan this morning when I was trying stuff, but not tonite. I appreciate everyone's help. I will be gone a week...and of course as soon as I get back I will want to get this resolved. Thanks

Say "Hi" to Yogi for all of us, enjoy your trip.

When you get back bring this thread back up so any helpers can follow along.

No beep but HP and MS splash screens seems odd.
How old is this computer and have you ever had the inside cleaned?
You might try removing the left side panel and looking in for dust. Also if you have a small fan place that blowing in on the computer and try to start. This will help us determine if heat is the issue because of a dust build up or perhaps a fan not working.

Hey, I'm back! I did what you suggested Owbist, took the side off and dusted real good. Put it back together, turned if on and to my surprize I even got the welcoming sound. I may not have had my seaker on the other day. I got the HP splash the Windows thing and this time I even saw the log in screen and then nothing. So on just a hunch, I disconnected my monitor and plugged in my number 2 monitor and voila....it works. So my ViewSonic must have pooped out on me. Why would it only show the few screens? Is there any way to repair it? It is a really nice 17 inch. If I need to start shopping does anyone have any recommendations? Circuit City, Buy.com??? What kind? I really wish I could get this one fixed though if possible. This number 2 screen is an old fat Dell of my hubby's. I use it on the second PC for the grandkids.

Looks like you got a good tan while in the woods last week :~)

There used to be a standard fee of $100 to fix a monitor, not sure if that is relevant today. Remember though a repair may not carry much of a warranty and new monitors have come down in price dramatically.

Before you replaced the monitor did you make sure the other one had the plugs firmly in place? Mine go in upwards and I suppose it is possible for them to gradually work loose over time. Worth a look to be sure perhaps.

Owbist, I hooked the ViewSonic up to the Number 2 PC (an IBM) and it works just the same way as it did on my HP; it flashes the IBM logo and then the Windows XP screen and then that is it. I did some surfing last night and on a ViewSonic support page it said to try switching the cord but it doesn't look like either cords disconnect at the monitor itself, if they do I can't figure out how to do it. It could possibly be something in the cord. I have both of them secured with the screws properly to the PC's.
About the tan....lol, there was snow piled up on both sides of the road on the South and East parts of the park. It spit snow on us the first day we were there and the morning before we left it was 26�! Quite a change when we hit South Dakota coming home and it was 102�!