need help desktop please!

[singh21]

vga mode didn't work, it says the same thing. file is missing or corrupt.

[essexboy]

Run a repair install of XP..  Details here  http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/

[singh21]

"Next, Windows Setup will find existing Windows XP installations. You will be asked to repair an existing XP installation, or install a fresh copy of Windows XP.

 If no installations are found, then you will not be given the option to repair. This may happen if the data or partition on your drive is too corrupted.

Note: If you install a fresh copy, all data on that partition will be lost!"

I don't get the repair option. The lists shows - C: Partition1 [NTFS] and Unpartitioned space

[essexboy]

So it is not even seeing the windows partition at all, this would suggest that the MFT table is corrupt 

Are you able to get to the command prompt on the safe mode menu ?

If so go there and run checkdisc :

chkdsk /r

[singh21]

You mean safe mode with command prompt? No that doesn't work either

[essexboy]

It looks like you have lost the partition data.  Did this computer originally have XP or 7

[singh21]

I ran the repair chksdsk using the XP installation cd and now it can boot in safe mode. Yeah the computer always had XP

[singh21]

Sir, can it be saved or is it doomed?

[essexboy]

From safe mode select the VGA option and see if that lets you boot

[singh21]

yes it did boot in vga mode

[singh21]

wow the computer works like normal in vga mode. i can watch youtube videos as well

[essexboy]

OK methinks it may be time for you to splash out on a new video card

[singh21]

Strangely, now the computer works in normal mode

[essexboy]

Either the connections on the card are a bit iffy or it is a sporadic failure within the card