This is sort of a two question topic, one of then is really easy and one of them, I've gotta be completely vague because I have no idea what's going on. First issue: this computer had WinXP Pro on it and all of a sudden it just started freezing at the Windows XP loading screen. I had stuff I needed to recover, so I partitioned the drive, installed WinXP Pro again, and now I'm running off my second installation. My question however, is what could be the issue with the previous installation? I've scanned it for viruses with five different programs, scoured it for spyware with four different programs, and nothing has come up period. Could it be an issue with the MBR? How could I rectify that?

Now the second issue is with my second computer. I get the video card test screen at boot, then it heads to the POST screen and stops after the memory test at "Detecting IDE Devices..." and I wouldn't say that it freezes, as I can use Ctrl+Alt+Del, but I can't get into BIOS, I can't get anywhere. I don't hear any odd noises from my HDs or my optical drives, and I've unplugged them completely, checked for damage, reseated them, and plugged everything back in. I even checked the connections with the mobo and still nothing. Could my HDs just have randomly died? My computer didn't crash or anything, it was just one day I started the computer up and BAM! Nothing.

Any suggestions/tips/diagnostic help?

Note: This isn't my PC. This is a friend of mine and I have no physical access to the system. He is quite good at troubleshooting, but this has stumped him, and well me as well I'm afraid. Anyone have any experience with this sort of problem would be greatly appreciated.