Help - computer won't boot, can't get past splash screen

[SmokeMeAKipper]

Hi Guys

Really could do with some advice. Decided to have a bit of a spring clean on my PC. First thing I did was use a program called EasyCleaner to delete any unnecessary registry entries, delete unnecessary files etc. Then restarted it in safe mode and defragged the hard drive and ran a disk scan. Disk scan couldn't run then so was rescheduled for when it was restarted. Restarted it, disk scan started running - I left my room but after a bit I heard it restart again...

Now it won't get past the flash screen (where it says "Press Del to enter BIOS" etc). When I've switched it off and back on again it does the same thing but pressing Del doesn't get me into BIOS. The hard drive light comes on for a little bit but then goes off an it does't go any further.

I can't even use any of my boot floppies or reinstall Windows XP as it dosn't even get that far!!

Any ideas??

[EvilBoris]

I'd try resetting your CMOS

this involves going into the inside of your PC and removing a little button battery or changing a jumper.

[SmokeMeAKipper]

It was a little button next to the Bios chip and battery - held it down for 10 seconds and when I've rebooted it says about Bios going back to defaults. However, if I proceed straight to Windows it loads up fine.

Thanks Boris - that's brilliant mate! I owe you a beer.

Any idea what could have caused that?