Having Trouble Booting Computer

[gmvp]

I have an old Compaq that for some reason has decided to stop working. I use the machine purely for music in the garage. I get stuck on this screen with the cursor flashing in the top right corner.

http://imgur.com/s16ip

I've tried switching the ram slots, as well as testing each ram stick out. Both of them get stuck on this screen. I can't even get into the bios.
Anybody have a clue on what could be wrong?

 

[soundguruman]

you can recover the files by installing the hard drive as a second drive on a working computer, then back up, save your files.
you might be able to repair the OS,
you may need to wipe the drive and start over or you may have a hardware failure.
I would try to save files first.