- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Hm. What was the last thing you were working on? Did the computer just hang then crash? Or did it freeze, switch to the BSoD (bluescreen of death) and die? Any number of things could've happened, from overheating to massive system faliure. And...that doesn't seem like a good thing, the description you just gave.
By all means, if you still have free techsupport, don't hesitate to use it. If you don't, or if the warranty has expired...well, I'd prefer poking around some hardware/software forums before relying on those overpriced 800 numbers.
EDIT: Ah, whaddya know? Thanks, Google!
Now, what they say is that the boot file is corrupted. You'll need the XP disc or the equivalent. Depending on what kind of computer you purchased, it may come with a variant set of disks, ranging from a set of 2 to a pack of 5 installation discs. The first one in the series usually has the OS, that's the one they refer to in the website.
God knows how that could've happened, but it's possible it was a virus or another bit of malicious code. I highly suggest a virus scan immediately after you get back onto Windows.
[Edited on 7/18/2006]