I have a Dell desktop running Windows Vista. I cannot boot up to Windows. I have a black screen with cursor error message saying: boot device available, ta 0 installed, ta 1 installed, ta 2 none, ta 3 none

there are several issues and there are several solutions for this problem. I need you to please be more specific. Usually when a computer doesn't boot up, it goes to the initial black screen and usually it will display a message by the top left of screen where cursor is blinking. Please tell me whet that says, and I will tell you exactly how to fix the problem.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/yordan_0946180d068c57d5

First, try and boot into safe mode by powering off your computer then powering it back on and tapping the f8 key, after that you should see safe mode and other options below it, click the first option which is safe mode, then go into your start menu and go to your system restore which in Windows 7 and Vista is located in accessories and then system tools, then choose a restore point earlier than the date you are on. This is a temporary fix and you will need to get a virus removal done asap. Hope this helps.

Live Technical Support
My Youtube Channel

If your Dell computer had Vista installed then you can use your copy of Vista CD and you can use the product installation code that is printed on the Windows label that is attached to your Dell.
When you insert the Windows CD into your Dell and boot up your computer then select the CD as the boot device (ie 4=IDE CD).

After Windows is installed and activated then you need to install the Dell computer's device drivers.
You can download the device drivers from Dell WEB site, the support download page. Make sure you select your model desktop or laptop, better still, type in the Service Tag number, it is printed on the label on the bottom of the laptop and on the back or sides of a desktop. (If the Service Tag label is missing then go into the BIOS setting and on one of the BIOS pages, the Service Tag number will be displayed). This will open the page where the specific drivers for your model computer are located. Also make sure you select the Windows of the drivers for your Windows operating system. Click on this link to download the drivers: - http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen

You will a full blown version of whatever software you want to install. Also try using the F8 key during bootup. See if the computer will boot up into Safe Mode. You should be able to made System restore disks from there if it will get that far.

That blinking cursor is the way in which the BIOS is telling you that Windows or any other OS is missing . Since you are getting it without even an hdd connected it means that the southbridge is defective. Which means that the motherboard is dead, replace it.

You don't say what Windows are you using.
Anyways, it seems like you have a corrupted BOOT problem.
On Windows Vista and Windows 7, you can insert your Windows installation CD, and choose the "Repair my pc" option.
Windows will do it automatically fro you, and you'll be up and running in a couple of minutes.

Dont forget to rate this answer if it helps.

hello, sounds like memory issue, I would say if you have more than one stick of memory in it remove one at a time and try it again.
also while you are at it reset BIOS by remove battery from motherboard and/or switching jumper setting.

hope it helps.

regards
Amar Sondhi

Try the choice:

Last Known Good.