When i turn my computer on it sounds like it wants to start but then all i get is a blank screen with a flashing line and it wont let me do anything else

it sounds like a dead/corrupted hard disk, try reinstalling windows (if it lets you) - you will probably lose all your stuff

I would think you'd get an error message if the HD is dead.
Check the video cable for a good connection.
What's the make and model of this machine?
Do you have a restore or install disk?
What's the OS?

If your computer beeps more than what it used to, then I think its your RAM which has the fault.

hi, disagree with comment abour error msg for failed hdd. not true. had the same problem with a clompkak, sorry compaq, so it sounds to me like your hdd has sailed off into the sunset and is looking for a retirement village. unless you are very, very lucky and have good backups, which all us techies advise but never do ourselves, kiss your apps and data goodbye.
or, if you're desperate, like the housewives on tv, you can try what i did, which i really don't advise, but what the heck, you only live once, or twice if you're seriously unlucky, and give your hdd a smart smack as it starts booting. Sometimes, hdd read/write heads get stuck in a certain position and the shock of a sideways smack can free up the head.

i froze my hard disk then ran it - worked for about an hour before dying completeley (enough to get my data off)

If the problem is with the Hard Disc you may lose all our data,however if the disc is under warranty send it back and ask the manufacturer to retrieve your data for you.

With the fault info provided it is far too early to go blaming everything on your hard drive. In fact, if all you are seeing on the screen from power on is a flashing cursor then there is a fair chance that it is not your hard drive at fault.
Have you recently performed any BIOS updates on your PC. Is there possibly a poorly seated PCI device in one of your PCI slots or any other peripheral which may have got loose.
If you have a floppy drive try inserting a floppy into it and then power on. If you get an error message then it probably is your Hard drive. However, if all remains the same I would probably move onto memory from there.

Make sure your RAM CARD is firmly in place!

If it is not,all you will get is beeping,etc.......

Good luck!

i have a computer that when u turn it on u can hear it booting up and then it stops the fan stops and it doesnt go any further....nothing comes up it doesnt get anywhere... u cant turn it off u have to unplug it from the back...and even after u unplug the POWER SOURCE the lil blue light at the button is still blinking...any suggestions?