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Black screen upon startup, wont run.

Last answer on Nov 11, 2009 2:31:38 pm GMT G, on Oct 30, 2008 6:53:09 pm GMT 
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Hello, whenever I press the Power button on my computer, it starts up with a black screen telling how it came across and error due to new hardware or such. It asks the simple things such as "Run in safe-mode, Run with Command Prompt, run with default before this occurred, or run normally.) Either one of these I press it just turns the whole screen black, the only thing that shows is the mouse. It was working fine yesterday but for some reason not today.
Any help is appreciated, thank you.


Running Windows XP, and Norton Antivirus (If it's a virus or such.)

(Side note, I'm using a laptop.)

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1

G, on Oct 30, 2008 6:53:51 pm GMT
  • +8

Whoops, by laptop, I mean laptop to type this.

Reply to G

2

G, on Oct 30, 2008 7:01:37 pm GMT
  • +11

More information ahoy!
Whenever starting the safe-mode with command prompt (Really ANY safe-mode)
I get some weird /WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/DRIVERS/etc..
I feel it may have to do with my drivers but I have no clue how to fix it.

Reply to G

44

kandambil, on Oct 7, 2009 4:49:34 am BST
  • +4

Try to insert operating system cd in your computer then restart so that you can repair the windows it seems that your operating system missing some drivers due to virus. iam sure your problem will be solved.

Reply to kandambil

51

robcean123, on Oct 25, 2009 11:29:34 pm GMT
  • +2

My Case refent to Win XP boots to black screen, only mouse cursor active.

I took my hardrive and I scanned for virus with AVG Internet Security 9.0, there was only one file infected, the virus name was delf.MFT or something like that.

After I remove the virus I put the HD back in the afected PC and the magic happen, the computer boot-up normaly

So, I recommend to scan your hardrive for virus before anything else.

Good Luck!

Reply to robcean123

3

G, on Oct 30, 2008 10:46:59 pm GMT
  • +3

Still hanging, if anyone might know the problem or how to fix it, that would be greatly appreciated.

Reply to G

4

Amelye, on Dec 16, 2008 6:44:16 am GMT
  • +7

I have the same problme, but untill now I have no solution... All that I know it's that this error apearred after many files had been corrupted.. so it could be just a problem of windows... a month ago I had the same problem, but not from windows... I was lucky, my laptop run in safe mode and that way I fixed the problem.. I could retsore now the system, but I have important documents on windows partition...
I was adviced to put a new copy of windows without formatting the partition woth the actual windows..but I ', a little squared.... so I leave this as a final option... when I'll fix it I'll let you know... good luck to you too

Reply to Amelye

47

kandambil, on Oct 8, 2009 6:02:35 am BST
  • +1

Open the case of the computer then remove the hard drive then bring it into out case so that you can use another computer to buck up your data.after doing so replace your hard disk its computer then format. your may succeed.

Reply to kandambil

18

bob, on Jul 23, 2009 3:05:54 am BST

I had this problem earlier too....immediately it starts up press f10 and format the whole pc it worked 4 me

Reply to bob

37

hotcom, on Sep 2, 2009 9:24:04 pm BST
  • +9

Anytime I start booting my pc windows does not load. I do not hear any beep sound and the pc freezes. Any help?

Reply to hotcom

5

Liam10100, on May 19, 2009 10:33:59 pm BST
  • +22

I have had this problem and have been one of the lucky few to get round it, however i believe i may know the cause or part of the cause for this, and a way to get round it hopefully. I got this issue after an unfortunate power cut, the system started up but then shut down again unexpectedly, after that i got this 'black screen of death', i then went on to many forums to find out the best options for solving this, i knew there was a definate way to fix the problem with a full destructive recovery with the recovery partition you get with vista, however i didn't want to lose all my data so when the computer starts up tap f8 until you get several menu options. the top option should be 'repair my computer', you should now have a very basic log in window which has your username, (if you have no password just press enter). now you should have several options of recovering or repairing your PC. the most successful so far is a normal windows restore which takes the computer back a few days, i would recommend a week to 2 weeks if available. once completed this should get rid of the 'black screen of death'. once logged on run command prompt with administrative properties then type in 'sfc /scannow' this will hoefully find anything else which is currupt. i have found the main reason for this is actually vista's own way of performing better... on most people with this problem i spoke to had an option enabled on the hard drive by default : 'Enable write caching on the disk' : 'this setting improves disk performance, but a power outage or equipment failure might result in data loss or curruption' this option can be found by going into device manager - find your primary hard drive, right click, properties, policies. this is the closest ive found to a cause of this 'black screen of death'

Liam10100

Reply to Liam10100

14

nancy2u, on Jul 8, 2009 2:47:43 pm BST
  • +14

Can you help me with the black screen after start up on my Toshiba laptop Satellite M40/45? Windows XP
Power button on ( In touch with tomorrow Toshiba) flashing across the screen, then it turns black.
I tryed tapping the F8 button during start up nothing happens.
Please help if possible. Thank You

Reply to nancy2u

31

igor106, on Aug 15, 2009 12:41:40 pm BST

Nancy, the issue with the non booting Toshiba M40 sounds a lot like a problem I had with my M35, that has nothing to do with this thread here as the issue with the Toshiba M series is a hardware problem. After a few years of faithful service my Toshiba died. When I plressed the Power button, I'd get the LEDs to flash a few times, the CPU Fan spins up for a few seconds, the LCD blinks and then it all goes dead. If this description matches the problems you experience with your laptop, please visit my blog post http://imateski.blogspot.com/2008/08/toshiba-satellite-m35x-­motherboard.html
hope this helps

Reply to igor106

17

aCarpeDiem, on Jul 21, 2009 10:22:43 pm BST
  • +62

The black screen happened to me, and I followed you directions and it worked until when I tried to login it said that I have been blocked from my account. Do you know how to get around this?

Reply to aCarpeDiem

26

Lusitana, on Aug 8, 2009 10:21:47 pm BST
  • +23

Thank you so much! it worked straight away on my laptop and your instructions were so easy to follow
thanks again!

Reply to Lusitana

27

in trouble, on Aug 9, 2009 11:23:18 am BST
  • +6

Hey when i clicked system restore like you said it told me tat no restore points have been created on our computer's system disk. it said to create a restore point but of course since my computer is screwed, it won't let me open the system protection link. what am i suppose to do?

Reply to in trouble

29

fali2, on Aug 12, 2009 5:02:37 am BST
  • +2

Thanks, I Did all that, but when I went to do the system restore, it said that no system restore points had been created. Is there anything else that can be done?

Reply to fali2

32

XD24, on Aug 20, 2009 9:44:04 pm BST
  • +4

Hey im having the same problem and im going to follow your steps now right now im running a windows file scanner on my inspiron 1525 dell laptop and hopfully your steps will help thanks for helping

Reply to XD24

52

frank, on Nov 2, 2009 2:25:41 pm GMT

Thanks alot did that and it worked one time. Just got to find out what was the problem

Reply to frank

53

cv, on Nov 10, 2009 7:22:08 pm GMT

Please help! my computer did the same thing too. I try what you instructed here but it's getting me a message saying that there is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete. Restart. I did that but still shows black.

Reply to cv

54

 dazed/confused, on Nov 11, 2009 2:31:38 pm GMT

I went through all of that, did the diagnostic, but for some reason still getting the black screen. any other thoughts?

Reply to dazed/confused

6

black death, on Jun 12, 2009 7:06:02 pm BST
  • +1

Sorry mate, this did'nt seem to help much. Can you be more specific? when do you press F8 and how many times? I have tried this and it is not helping. I can only shut the laptop down by total power outage now or letting the battery run flat. If your info is correct I am now in a vicious circle and the blaqck screen will be mine forever.

Reply to black death

33

sebas, on Aug 26, 2009 12:15:25 am BST
  • +1

This is not to resolve your problem but to save time between reboots if pressing the power button 5secs doesnt shut off your pc...no nead to wait for battery failure... just unplug your pc and take out the battery.

(in certain situations, holding the power button pressed for 30 sec to empty the residual electricity before replugging & battery insertion, can resolve boot problems (many Acer PCs for instance)

Reply to sebas

7

Liam10100, on Jun 13, 2009 9:47:28 pm BST
  • +2

Hi

you should press f8 and continually tap as soon as it starts up, if this still doesn't work, please write your make, spec, and operating system, and i will try my best to help.

Reply to Liam10100

8

shay, on Jun 17, 2009 8:06:29 am BST
  • +9

Thank you soooooo much you are a life saver followed all your directions and IT WORKED!!!! LoL thank your words and instructions were my guardian angel for the night cause I was really upset and about to throw my laptop through the window Lmao!!!! but thanks to your directions!!!! everything works again thank you again buddy you saved me alot of money and frustration :) LoL, thanks again....

Reply to shay

13

Nancy, on Jul 8, 2009 2:37:31 pm BST
  • +7

Could you help me? I am having the same problem on my toshiba laptop, with a black screen

Reply to Nancy

9

Logbldr, on Jun 17, 2009 2:52:48 pm BST

I have a HP Pavilion Media Center m8100n, and experiencing the "Black Screen of Death" with the white arrow. I received NO disk with my computer, and have tried using NeoSmart Technologies "Recovery Disk", with no luck. My computer shows no earlier restore points, so that didn't work. I do not want to loose any of my programs or data in the computer. Microsoft Techs told me it is a HP Problem and HP wants $49.00 (one time) or $99.00 (one year) to help. I am afraid that if I pay HP for help, they will not be able to fix the problem, I will be out the money, and my problem will still exist. HELP ME. Thanks

Reply to Logbldr

11

mahabad, on Jun 26, 2009 11:20:36 pm BST
  • +1

Turn on your pc if you have password log on wait for windows to start up even if you can not see anything, then press ctrl+Alt+delet this is bring up task manager then you click on file then new tsak type restore it should bring up a another page click on restore and do a restore a week or two week ago , choose a date that your pc been working fine
If none of this work you have to format it


First things first ... let's get you a bootable system.
Boot in safe mode - press F8 when the Windows loader presents you with the 30 second list of choices, and then select "Safe Mode" as your boot option.
Right click on the desktop and click Properties, and then on the Settings tab.
Now click and drag the Screen Resolution slider to the far left ... you want the smallest settings that your screen will support. Typically that'll be 640x480, or 800x600.
Also change the Color Quality dropdown to 256 colors, or whatever is lowest. (You probably don't need to go as low as 16 colors, if that's presented as an option.)
Now, click on the Advanced button, and then the Monitor tab of the resulting dialog box. Change the Screen refresh rate to 60 Hertz.
OK your way back out, and reboot your machine. If these setting were the source of the problem, it should now be able to boot normally. You may not like the screen settings, but at least you now have a place to start.
"Start experimenting with the settings to see what does, and does not, work with your monitor."
If the display is still blank or gibberish, the my recommendation is to once again boot into Safe Mode, possibly Safe Mode with networking, and update your video display drivers. It's likely that they are incorrect or otherwise broken.
A place to start ... start what? Start experimenting with the settings to see what does, and does not, work with your monitor.
I tend to start with the screen resolution. Once again right click on the desktop and click Properties, then Settings, and then drag the Screen Resolution slider a notch or two to the right to increase your display resolution. Now click Apply. It should change the resolution and display a small message box asking if you want to accept this setting. If you don't respond within some time, it assumes you can't see it, so it resets to the previous setting. The lesson here? If the screen goes blank or you can't read it, wait at least one minute before doing anything. The problem may resolve itself, and you'll be able to say "well, that resolution doesn't work", and move on to try another.
If, after a full minute or more the screen remains blank or unreadable, you'll have to reboot into safe mode, as we did originally, to restore your setting. (Why might this happen? Windows "remembers" and doesn't bother to ask you if you reset to something that you previously said worked. If you mistakenly said "this works" when it didn't ... perhaps by random keyboarding while the display was blank ... well, that could be how we got here in the first place.)
You can repeat this process of trial and error for each of the screen resolution, the color depth and the screen refresh rate. (For CRT displays, you really do want the refresh rate to be as high as your monitor supports.)


Method-2: If even 'Safe mode with command prompt' is not working try the following process:
1.Login using your user id and passwoerd. Wait atleaset 15 nminutes for windows to be ready. You can not see anything but you can use keyboard to execute the following:
2.Use "Windows+R" to goto Run.
3.Type "devmgmt.msc" (without quotes) and press Enter Key.
4.Press Alt+V and enter the aplhabet "v"
5.Press Alt+V and enter the aplhabet "w"
6.Press tab key and enter the aplhabet "v" (i had to do this 3 times)
7.Rightclick using keybord, press Down key and then Enter key
8.Press ALT+Y and wait for about 10 minutes.




Possible Solutions
Performing the following options (in the order they are listed) may help to ‘fix’ the problem.

Option 1:
1. Restart your computer using an anti-virus recovery boot disk, and perform a complete and thorough scan (including the MBR if you can) of your computer for viruses.
2. If a virus is discovered then this may very well be the cause of your problem. Unfortunately however, removing the virus may not actually fix the startup problem, because it has already corrupted the registry files.
Option 2:
3. Insert the Windows Vista installation disk, and restart the computer. This should automatically start the installation program, but you may need to press Enter during startup to confirm you want to boot from the installation disk.
4. Select your Language etc, and click on Next.
5. Near the bottom of the screen click on Repair your computer.
6. Select the operating system (if it isn't already selected), and click on Next.
7. Select Startup Repair and follow any instruction on the screen. Eventually you will need to restart the computer (don't forget to remove the installation disk first).
8. If the Startup Repair doesn't solve the problem, repeat all the step above and select System Restore, and follow the on-screen instructions. (This option will only be of use if a System Restore point was previously created while the computer was still functioning correctly).
9. If the System Restore option indicates that the disk has errors, click on the Check the disk for errors option. Note that this may possibly indicate that your hard disk may be getting bad and needs replacement, especially if similar problems are starting to occur more often.
Option 3:
Try this option if you have previously made a backup of your entire computer.
10. Repeat steps 1-4 of Option 2
11. Select Windows Complete PC Restore and follow the on-screen instructions.
Option 4:
Completely reinstall Windows Vista from scratch. Unfortunately this will mean losing all the files currently on your hard disk, but hopefully you're one of those wise people who have regularly created backups of their important files onto CD/DVD.
12. Repeat steps 1-3 of Option 2
13. Select Install, and follow the on-screen instructions.
14. Don't install any additional programs or allow any (automatic) updates to be downloaded and installed yet.
15. If after a few reboots the computer appears to be working fine, create a System Restore Point as follows:
• Click Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System Protection > System Protection tab > Create
16. If the problem re-occurs before installing any other programs or updates then you probably have a bad hard disk, which will need replacing.
17. Download any updates for Windows Vista and then reboot your computer a few times.
18. If the problem re-occurs after downloading and installing updates, then probably one of the updates is corrupt. In this case repeat steps 1-4 and then 6 of Option 2, to restore your system to the Restore Point you created in step 4, and then don't allow any Windows updates until Microsoft has come up with a fix.
19. If the problem does not re-occur, then you can start installing other programs.

Reply to mahabad

36

Nik, on Sep 1, 2009 4:00:32 pm BST

Hi,

I happened to check one of your posts as my HP Tx 2009 would just not start. All it shows is a Black screen and the Led lights and the other lights are on. I treid the 30 second method followed by press F8 which worked on the 3rd attempt but once I inserted my battery in the laptop,it still shows the same dark screen with the led lights on. I tried repeating the whole procedure several times but to no avail. Please help !!

Thanks

Nik

Reply to Nik

46

satansagent, on Oct 8, 2009 1:57:38 am BST

Hey,

I have a compaq presario F700 and when I turn on the computer I DO NOT hear the hardrive or fan and the screen is blank.

I ve tried several things but to not avail. Please help!

Reply to satansagent

10

Damo, on Jun 18, 2009 8:48:54 am BST
  • +2

I hav this problem with some very small differences.

my compy is a desktop with windows XP. when i turn it on i have my loading screen my system specks flash for a second. I see the 'windows is loading' screen and it loads for about 5 seconds and then the screen goes black with my cursor in the middle. my research has led me too believe that the scource of my problem is a simple virus that has attacked my windows32 folder. by the sounds of it the easiest way to get rid of this anoying lil virus unfortunately it involves reinstalling XP. thats no massive loss for me im only losing wow which just means i have to reinstall it. I have the windows XP sp2 install disk and my drivers disk but i would like a simpler way if thats possible plz tell me thanks :D

Reply to Damo

12

./configure, on Jul 8, 2009 2:06:15 am BST
  • +1

I just downloaded linux, put it on a flash drive and wow it worked. Have fun with viruses.

Reply to ./configure

15

nabyllon, on Jul 10, 2009 2:27:03 pm BST
  • +13

Hi guys, im having the same problem. laptop was working fine yesterday. got back earlier today, turned it on, and the part where its supposed to ask for my password, a blank screen appears and i can only see my mouse cursor. any ideas what's wrong with it?

its a Dell Inspiron 1545 running Windows Vista. i've only had this for about 3-4 months now. any help/tips will be greatly appreciated!

Reply to nabyllon

16

melvern justin, on Jul 13, 2009 11:57:12 am BST

Hello.. i have a problem in my loptop.. i just sync my mp3 player with music and it hang up...
den i forcly turn it off... and when i turn it on.. it wont turn on anymore.. just black in the LCD... i dont know what to do .. is it an hard disk failure??? ,.. guys if you can help.. please email me at melvern_justin1@yahoo.com

Reply to melvern justin

19

nzgirl, on Jul 29, 2009 4:25:43 am BST
  • +2

Same thing happened to me. Managed to fix it.

When I tried to restore the system after pushing F8 it didn't work. But I rebooted and pushed F8 again to see the other options.

One choice said restore system to the last know good config. That's the one that worked for me. After that I ran a full scan with Avira and got rid of the trojan I'd been infected with.

Reply to nzgirl

20

Sarca, on Jul 29, 2009 2:39:04 pm BST

Using a Vista installation disk, (this works with XP or Vista) insert the disk. Select "repair". It will attempt to load the OS. If the OS is XP, it will not find the OS. No problem. Select "next" or "continue". Select Command Prompt. Type "chkdsk c: /r" and let chkdsk run. It may pause during the scan and seem to be stuck but be patient. This should repair all corrupted files and allow you to get into your system. Run virus scans as necessary if infected. (Disconnecting from the internet will help further infection until the computer is in stable condition.).

Reply to Sarca

22

Donna, on Aug 2, 2009 8:28:57 pm BST

Upon reading your answer to the previous post, I thought you might be able to help me with a similar problem. I have a Dell 1521 laptop running Vista. Upon turning on the computer, I get a black screen giving me the choice to start Windows normally, or to attempt to repair. The first gets me nowhere, and I have to reboot. When I choose to repair, it appears to be successful if I choose to do a system restore to an earlier date. Then, I am able to get into Windows and on the 'net without incident. However, once I turn the computer off and have to reboot, the same process starts all over again...every time. I'm really confused on this one. Any insight you may have will be greatly appreciated.

Reply to Donna

21

Gman, on Aug 2, 2009 2:38:50 am BST
  • +1

I have the same issue, I tried the F8 and went t oall the options, but it keeps telling me that "No restore options have been created on your computer's system disk. " and then only lets me cancel and go back to the where it was (black screen with the cursor in the middle). Please someone let me know if you have a solution, thanks!

Reply to Gman

34

sebastian, on Aug 26, 2009 12:30:29 am BST

Hello Gman
Have you found a solution?
I have your problem since yesterday :(

Thankyou so much for a reply.
Sebastian, Montreal

Reply to sebastian

23

Damo, on Aug 4, 2009 12:06:10 pm BST

Well everyone I believe to have the simplest and only way to eradicate the problem.

BEFORE BEGGINING PROCESS MAKE SURE YOU CAN LOCATE YOUR DRIVERS DISK!

1. while your computer boots up mash f10 untill it gives the option to wipe the hardrive.
2. everyone that was previously running vista aquuire a "legal" copy of xp professional and install that instead.
3. install the drivers that you have for all your hardware. THIS STEP IS VEY IMPORTANT!

unfortunately I fear this is the only help anyone will get :(

Reply to Damo

35

sebastian, on Aug 26, 2009 12:36:33 am BST

Except if you are in your 1st year of purchase, you very probably have automatic "parts and service" insurance with all new PCs...call the maker tech service.

Reply to sebastian

40

sebastian, on Sep 9, 2009 5:26:00 pm BST
  • +1

*Tapping ALT-F10 continuously at boot? My Acer Aspire laptop final solution...

Well, after doing everything in the forums...I had to reinstall
A tech guy had me reinstall by:
1 - unplugging ac and battery...then pressing on/off button 15 sec (emptying leftover circuit charge I guess)
2 - replugging both
3 - pressing ON to boot...and then tapping ALT-F10 continuously until a unique program poped up.
I was told this prgm was in a specific sector of disk and at lower risk of regular corruption/attacks/virus.
I did not take time to see if other options besides format & reinstall were possible.

(note: I had already backed up my document files with the available online Vista recovery downloadable disk, which was the only way that allowed me to circumvent the black screen (at BOOT), get into DOS, and then access C:/>Windows/notepad.exe ; I did not know how to use DOS so that helped me copy and paste to dvd and SDHC disks using Notepad functions . lol)

Hope this helps someone as I've been helped reading on these forums
Thanks for all who help others also
God bless ;)

Reply to sebastian

24

john, on Aug 7, 2009 7:09:55 pm BST

Hay i have a toshiba m35x and about a mounth ago it was working fine and my mom shut it off one day and the next day it wouldent work let me no plz it some can help

Reply to john

25

kcal63, on Aug 8, 2009 3:17:40 am BST
  • +2

My screen does the same, with movable cursor on any driver update attempt or install of WIn 7... even after a full format of disk and clean install.
Even get black screen in safe mode so that is no go too, and after 1 attempt comp wont even boot from OS install disc anymore.
It is def a video driver issue but I haven't been able to figure out what it is conflicting with.
Computer Specs:
QX6700 Intel processor, 8800 GTX video card, 4Gb Kingston 1066 ram, ASUS MB with 680i nvidia chipset,
Corsair 750 watt PSU, WD Raptor 150 HD and an Acer 23" LCD monitor.
Cooling isn't a problem system has 10 fans, including an electronics board fan that flows full case air every 2 seconds.
Running Windows Vista Ultimate but have tried Windows 7 also.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

kcal63

Reply to kcal63

28

kand, on Aug 10, 2009 9:36:10 am BST
  • +1

My computer is Dell optplex Gx 110 when start up shows black screen and cursor only itried to trouble shoot ifailed still show black screen. what could be the couses? and how can i trouble shoot it?

Reply to kand

30

Dave, on Aug 13, 2009 1:23:59 pm BST

I had this same problem, with the so-called "black screen of death" - after I had read all of the posts here on my laptop, I looked at my Desktop's screen and it has gone to "Windows is starting up..." I'm running it with the last known good configuration setting.

By the time I typed all that, it has now gone to "Welcome", so I'm not sure what the cause is but just try leaving it and going to watch a TV show or something.

Reply to Dave

43

Nick, on Oct 1, 2009 9:01:50 pm BST

Hi,I running HP pc Windows Vista 32 bit.I experienced black screen issue after trying to update NVIDIA 8400 GS drivers.During update screen went black,i was waiting for about 2 minutes then pressed power button and turned off my PC.Result-every time i am trying to launch in either normall or safe modes my screen goes black and all I can see is my cursor.I tryed every single thing I know,restoring system to earlear date,ctrl-alt-delete,unpluging my printer.Any Ideas?

Reply to Nick

39

Compaq, on Sep 9, 2009 4:19:07 pm BST

Same Happens To Me On A Compaq Laptop

Reply to Compaq

45

JessicaX, on Oct 7, 2009 9:48:12 pm BST

After power interruption, work PC won't boot. Does check disk for hours, reboots and hangs before login. I stress 'work' as I am a die hard MAC and/or linux user.

After trying to do things the usual PC way, I resorted to what I know will work. Load a linux distro, i use puppy as its small and loads from USB. It will mount in RAM which means you can mount your harddrive as a drive. Use the tools to check your disk. If all else fails, delete/replace config files. In my case simply copying over vista files sorted the problem with no loss of data

Reply to JessicaX