Black screen on netbook

I have a Lenovo Ideapad s10. All of a sudden, the computer just shuts off while I was surfing the Internet. Now, when I boot up the computer, it shows a black/blank screen with only the cursor showing. Sometimes if I'm lucky, I'll get to see the "Welcome" screen and that's it.
What do I need to do? This is a netbook, so there's no CD-ROM drive. I'm going to try to repair this using a USB.
I tried booting from safe mode, but I don't know how to boot through safe mode. I pressed F8, but nothing happens.
Any ideas?
Thank you.

 

You have to repeatedly tap(increases your chances) F8 during startup to get into Safe Mode. If you can get it to boot up normally, what are your temps? Use HWMonitor from CPUID.com to check. Just a hunch.

 

I can't access anything on the desktop. All I get is a black screen.

 

Hmm, can you jump into BIOS, and see if there are any screen options? Some have auto boot up brightness settings, etc. Is safe mode giving you the same deal after trying to get in again? If so, then call Lenovo for help.

 

If you need a guide use this one

http://www.eeeguides.com/2007/11/installing-windows-xp-from-usb-thumb.html

 

DEAD Harddrive!

 

djl4, have you tried using the "one touch restore" button, the Lenovo S10 comes equipped with a recovery partition via the Orange Arched Arrow Key near the power button. So you shouldn't need a cd or usb.

Is there any brightness at the Bios Screen or welcome screen? If not then it sounds like the screen inverter went out, more than the power saver options. And if that's happened, it will need to be replaced.

Either way, I would get in touch with Lenovo.
Hope this helps.

 

I think it's a trojan. It screwed up my boot up. I can't even boot up in safe mode.
Well, somehow, I got it to go to the desktop. The thing is, it won't let me go into msconfig (it'll just restart automatically) and it won't let me connect to the internet and download anything.
Should I just format everything or is there another way????

 

It doesn't seem like you have any other option at this moment.

 

Okay, I have a question.
I have an external hard drive that I normally use for time machine ( I also have a mac). I was wondering: If I switch the the hard drive already in the netbook to the external hard drive, I know that I would have to install Windows XP again. Would it be the same way as if I'm reformatting a hard drive?
I'm sorry if this sounded confusing. I hope you guys understand what I"m trying to say. Thank you.

 

I see what you are trying to do, but I don't think it will work because when you install XP on the external it will load the drivers to support the motherboard and other parts of the notebook from which you are installing. When you stick it back in your netbook it will bring up conflicts.

 

So, do I just reformat the original hard drive? Would that be the best and only option right now?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=331526

see my responses to that thread..