Operating system is not loading on my desktop

Hello,

I have Compaq machine with Windows XP Home edition as the operating system. Its working just fine until one day I downloaded and installed VPN software. After installing I clicked Finish to restart the PC. Since then I could only see a screen with COMPAQ on it and to the right most corner F10<setup>. I waited for 10 minutes to load Windows XP but the screen doesnot change, so hit f10 a blank screen appears with "setup" in the right corner and nothing. Please throw some light on my problem please, what could have gone wrong. Did the windows crash?

Please please help me,
Nubee

try hitting F10 right away to get into setup, but I don't think that it is going to help things. sounds like something is hosed in windows. try to get into safe mode. that should work.

I used the recovery cd that came with my PC and it worked. But its taking more than 2 to 3mins to load the operating system. before it used to happen as soon as the pc was switched on. Anyway, thanks a lot for your input.

Nubee

you were probably going into hibernate mode. it is quicker.