Try pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to bring the Task Manager, rather than use Ctrl + Alt + Del.
Then if you managed to get Task Manager running, run explorer.exe (File > New Task (Run...)).
If nothing works, you can perform a repair install of XP.
Black screen?
I thought it was the blue screen of death.
Very rare cases. Blue is more common.
Black screen could mean you didn't even turn on the computer yet.
Maybe Windows detected pirated software.