Please bare with me as I will try to explain what is going on as well as i can....

The computer (a COMPAQ presario) freezes at the compaq logo screen. This screen gives me the OPTION to press esc (to enter boot menu) or f1 (for setup). If I press either of those the computer either does not respond OR states "entering ..." but never enters.

After some research I tried different things one of them being unplugging the HD and seeing if I can access the boot menu or setup which I was able to do. While in setup, scrolling through the different menus, the computer froze and I could no longer use the arrows! This happened several times.

I have tried taking out the battery and jumper to reset bios and I still have the same problems. I ATTEMPTED to reinstall Windows and I cannot boot from the CD (i entered bios (only with HD unplugged) and changed the boot sequence to cd-rom only). If the HD is unplugged the computer will boot from the cd but I cannot do anything with the HD being unplugged!

I am soo LOST. Can anyone help?Run HD diagnostic: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287I tried running the HD diagnostic and it still will not boot from cd. only when i unplug the hd will it boot. Any other suggestions/advice?Replace the IDE cable.