Black screen with blinking cursor in left corner.

Bad hard drive?

The hard drive has issues, or the window files are corrupt. I suggest a computer repair store to retrieve files and test hardware.

go to the start menu and key on the program lower tab. The go to accessories. Click on command prompt which takes you to the DOS screen.
Now you will see a blinking cursor on the black screen which all you need to do is to type in chkdsk /f /r

This will repair any programs that were not running correctly. after it is done your computer may reboot itself. If not reboot it and see what it does, Itshould work fine unless deeper problems in the EXE BATCH FILE is present

You need your Vista disk to re-install Vista.

If you don't want to go to the expense, download and install Ubuntu, its a free opterating system and now on version 10.4, its pretty good.

when cursor blinks, try to press any key!
tell me what error message it gives than!

windows or linux?
if linux, seems like a grub or lilo problem. but i believe it's windows so...
insert the windows CD, choose the "repair console" option and do these:
fixboot
fixmbr
chkdsk C: /P
bootcfg /rebuild
(at this last one, it will ask you for an identifier, put something, and the next one, leave blank)
reboot

So.. you can select safe mode? Or you turn it on and it is resuming into the blank screen?

If the latter. Unplug the power, pull the battery out for 20 seconds or so. Then put it all back together and try booting up.

This does not sound like a power supply issuse

Try This:
tap F8 while booting the PC
This should take you to the Advanced Boot option window
Use you up & down keys: Safe mode With Command propmts(Enter)
Operating System (Enter)
Sign in under your user name( or owner)
once at a command prompt (Black Screen)
Tyoe chkdsk /r (Enter)
You will get a message ( This valume is in use would you like to start a chkdsk on reboot (Y) (Enter) Reboot PC
This should start a chkdsk after the chkdsk is complete reboot the PC you should go to you profile (desktop with Icons)

Good Luck

Dr Geek MD

Try this
Find the F8 key
Tap F8 will booting the PC(don't stop tapping until you get to the ADVANCED BOOT OPTIOPN window
(using you arrow keys) go to SAFE MODE with command prompts press enter
<Enter> on Operation System
The PC will multi disk
On the sign in screen (Sign in as the Administrator)
This will take you to a command prompt window C:_
Were the curser blinks type CHKDSK /R <enter>
YOU WILL RECEIVE A MESSAGE (THIS VOLUM IS NO USES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SCHEDULE A CHECK DISK ON NEXT BOOT)
y <ENTER>
Reboot the PC
On reboot the PC should start a chkdsk
After the Chkdsk is complete reboot the PC

Boot to recovery console using the XP CD, once there run CHKDSK /R