VISTA FREEZES - CANNOT TURN OFF COMPUTER to REBOOT

I'm a newbie to this forum. Just got a new HP Pavilion d6500t with installed Vista Ultimate x64. Has been tough going, but was scraping by until today. I installed Quickbooks (via download) and transferred my data files from my old pc to the new pc. Things seemed fine...then BAM!

The screen became "jumpy" and I received a number of error messages. Could not bring up Task Manager, so I had to shut down the pc manually (turned it off). Reboot involved a system check because of the manual shut-down. System check was fine...but, now my pc is frozen on a black screen with the hp logo in the middle. My choices are the usual: Press <ESC> to enable startup message, <F1> to enter System information...etc.

MY PROBLEM: I cannot go ANYWHERE from here. The F-keys are not responding AND I cannot even manually shut off the pc!

I am a total novice when it comes to pc systems. I need help DESPERATELY. Any suggestions out there?

Unplug it.

Did HP provide a recovery disc?

Sounds to me like you are having a computer problem not a vista problem. From what you typed it appears its locking up on boot up at the POST screen. That is where the HP logo is and the ESC,F1 message you see is found. That is where the computer boots up and finds all your devices.

If i had to venture a guess id guess your harddrive bit the dust.

If you have support from HP id give them a call today.

I would disagree with the hard drive assumption, it should at least get past the post screen and display a SMART error, display a "Non Systems Disk or Disk Error", or display a "Cannot Load Operating System" error.

My bet would be on either bad RAM or RAM that came unseated. If you aren't familiar on how to remove / reinstall RAM then do some searching online. Then remove the RAM from its slot and visually inspect the contacts to ensure they are clean. If they are make sure they are reseated firmly in the correct slot. Also do a quick visual inspection to make sure all cables / parts are securly where they should be.

If you still get the error try only booting up with one RAM stick... then the other. If no luck get on the phone with HP support and tell them to send you a new PC. I would agree that this is definately NOT a Vista issue, but a computer hardware issue.

We might not agree on what could be causing it but we both agree its hardware so thats good

However i disagree about him opening up that case. If it has one of those nice little stickers on the case that reads "VOID" after you remove it then he will end his warrenty with that simple move. Id just call HP and tell them whats going on. Either they will have you RMA your computer or send out a local tech to fix the problem. Either way i wouldnt open that case up unless you want to risk voiding your warrenty.

The electric company says "call before you dig"...that is a good thought in this case as well.

Ahh!

Its been so long of me building my own systems I forgot about that nice little "Void If Broken" sticker!

Good call.

Yeah, just call HP and let them do the legwork.

I unplugged the pc and went to bed. Next day -- it booted up with no problem. Just a hiccup....I hope. You guys have been great! THANKS!