Did or does the blue screen show a stop error like 0xooo4e? or something similar?

What is the make and model of the computer?

Disconnect all usb devices from the computer, printer, external hard drive try rebooting.

Do you have any disks that came with it?

What beep tones do you hear when rebooting?

At first glance it sounds like power supply or hard drive, that's why it's asking to select boot device, it doesn't see one

Visit the site linked below and download the Samsung hard drive testing program. There are 2 versions there, one for a floppy drive the other for CD, your choice. Save to either floppy or CD, insert this in the computer and restart. This will determine if it is the hard drive or not.

You note the mouse seems dead, is there a LED light on the keyboard? Press the 'Num Lock' key in the top left corner of the keypad if this is a tower and see if power is reaching the keyboard.

What anti virus and anti malware programs are you using and when were those last updated and each ran?

Here is a link that might be useful: Samsung hard disk test program

I received the information during a phone conversation. I don't think there are any disks.
It's a desk top Intel Pentium 4 with windows xp. As far as I know Kapersky & Malawarbytes are installed & were both run about a week ago.
I will get the other answers to your questions sometime today & report back. Thanks again.

Wendy, somewhere on the front of the tower if this is a store bought computer there will be a model number or name and number. If not then look on the back for the model.

power supplies going on the blink can cause strange things to happen, also when was the last time it was opened up and cleaned out? heat build up due to dust bunnies can also cause strange things to happen.
Getting The Grunge Out Of Your PC

I get that black screen with the white writing regularly, and have since I got this computer seven years ago. I click on Enter twice, not too fast, and it always starts right up.

On rare occasions I have to do this a second time. No one has ever figured out why it does this.

You might try this on your computer. I will say you have to do it as soon as you see the black screen with white writing. If you wait, you will get the blue screen of death and have to shut down the whole thing, wait awhile, and try again.

What operating system do you refer to ginny12?

The Vista Black screen may be different then XP and for different reasons.

If you refer to vista Google The illusive Black screen Vista

Here is the information: No stop error message, & no beeps. Led light on keyboard, none on mouse. Cleaned about a month ago. LG MDG (R4) x11-45376 ~ hope that's the model.

You most likely have a mother board or power supply failure. No beeps!!!

Do you have any disks recovery or operating disk. If so put it in the cd rom drive. Turn the computer off then on see if it boots from disk

power-on self-test (POST) refers to the testing sequence that occurs when a system is first powered on. POST is software written to initialize and configure a processor and then execute a defined series of tests to determine if the computer hardware is working properly. Any errors found during the self-test are stored or reported through auditory or visual means, for example through a series of beeps, flashing LEDs or text displayed on a display. Once the POST sequence completes, execution is handed over to the normal boot sequence which typically runs a boot loader or operating system.

So this is a local build computer from MDG Computers who have a far less than stellar record sadly.

Now the small issue of recovery CDs becomes VERY important. This is because with factory built computers the operating system is tied to the motherboard but you can use an XP CD as long as the 25 digit code on the tower is used. MDG does not have that so for any re-installing of XP your friend needs to find those CDs - or he'll have to buy a new copy of XP and that may not be a wise decision.

Have your friend check ravencajun's link to see if dirt inside is an issue. Have him/her use my link above to check the hard drive so we can eliminate those 2 items or blame one of them.

Also get him/her to remove the left side and tell us the make and wattage of the power supply.

Here is a link that might be useful: MDG sucks

User says

Cleaned about a month ago.

Since my last post, the computer was cleaned again. Apparently it was/is as clean as a whistle.
MDG does suck. The computer has been in for repairs four or five times over the years. I had hoped to save my friend the expense by coming here.
We do not live near by, so I've passed on the info for the Samsung site.
My friend & I thank you for your help & advice. I wish it had turned out better.

It is hardware problem. The connections of some hardware is loose.

Here is a link that might be useful: Automated Test Script

No not click the Hitek link above it is Spam!

Thanks, zep, but I have Windows XPSP3.