Dell Inspiron laptop will turn on but wont take me to log in screen

Log on to Dell Support with another computer. Enter service tag and follow instructions from there.

It sounds like the logon software is broken. You might have to reinstall.

Usually what happens with my Dell Inspiron desktop, even on safe mode it goes to the logon screen. I have never experienced that with my Dell Inspiron 1318. When you log in and it shows you the black screen, try pressing the function buttons. Try F8 or F12. You should be able to start the computer in Safe Mode. If possible, enter Safe Mode with Networking so that you are able to search the web. If you don't mind me asking, why is it that you need safe mode? Is it a virus?

If it is asking for a password on boot up then unless you made a password you should be able to just click log in with entering a password.
I had the same problem on my dell year's ago

Dell Laptop with bios or hard drive password set ? Unlock your dell laptop using the link below if it display a message that says "this computer system is protected by a password authentication system, you cannot access the data on this computer without the primary or administrator password, when you turn on the computer. This message is what you get if the BIOS is protected by a password. or you get system disabled

Go to: http://dell-inspiron-9400-bios-password.biospwd.com to get your dell bios password authentication and get full access to your dell computer, they can unlock almost all dell laptop such as dell inspiron, xps, latitude, precision, studio, vostro

even if you mistakenly joined a domain you can still log in through your existing id and password.
Once your press CTRL+ALT+DEL, you will see a login window with three fields namely: user id, password and Domain.
In the log in screen use the drop-down menu in front of Domain (which shows your new domain- most likey MSHome) and choose 'this computer'. After this, enter your old/existing user id and password and hit enter.
Please proceed to your system settings and change your domain back to Workgroup. Restart PC.

I'd suggest first removing your memory modules and reinsert one at a time.

But, I think your operating system is compromised, due to Spyware, etc.

Since your system won't boot in Safe Mode, your only other option is to repair or reinstall your operating system.

Hope this helps.

Since the laptop is in the 13 day exchange period i would suggest you go for a replacement PC cuz the OS is corrupt maybe cuz of a bad Hard Drive or bad installation... you could go ahead with a reinstall or use PC restore but then again it might be an continious issue later as well...

Do you mean the password to log into Windows XP?

If so, right after you turn on the Laptop, start tapping the F8 key until you get a menu screen on a black background.

With the keyboard arrow keys, select Safe Mode and click Enter.

On the Windows Welcome Screen you should see your Windows account and a new Administrator account. Hopefully, no one set up a password on the built-in Administrator account. Click the Administrator account and click to log in with no (blank) password.

Windows will tell you that you are working in Safe Mode and click yes on that box (The screen will look considerably larger and your background will not show as Windows uses default video drivers in safe mode). Click start and go to Control Panel. On the left hand side click Classic View and then Double Click on the User Accounts Icon.

Click your account from the User Accounts window that opens and choose Change My Password or Remove My Passowd. After you have removed or changed your password, close all the Windows and Restart your computer normally. When you get to the Windows Welcome Screen, the Administrator account should not be listed anymore and you can select your account and log in with the New Password you created, or log in with a blank password if you chose to Remove My Password.

try safe mode. If it works, use system restore to go back to a previous working configuration. If safe mode does not work, try the last known-good configuration. Restart the computer, then as soon as the Dell logo shows up on the screen, press the F8 key repeatedly until you enter the Advanced Options Menu. Use the arrow keys to select Last Known-Good Configuration, then press Enter.