Blank screen with cursor--Can't Boot into Vista

G

gpnd

Member
Hi all,

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop with Vista Home Premium. I had just opened Avast to do a virus check when my screen froze. I restarted and after the Toshiba splash screen (but before any welcome screen) it boots to a blank screen with a blinking cursor.

If I type nothing happens.
F2 restart--set HD as 1st boot, still boots to blank screen with cursor.
F8 restart--still boots to blank screen with cursor.

I do not have a Windows Vista install disk or recovery disk.

Have tried booting with battery out and still boots to blank screen with cursor.

Any ideas on what to do?

Would a recovery disk help or would it just tell me nothing is wrong?
 

My Computer

System One

Hi Gpnd.



First Try this.

Press Shift - F10 to open up a command prompt.

then type "Sfc /scannow" without the quotes.


If this doesn't fix it, Its possible that you have a hardware problem (probably hard drive).

Do you have a 2nd laptop or computer to use? We also need a USB flash drive, OR a blank CD.

We will install Ubuntu so you can save your files, and then do a quick scan.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion G6
    Memory
    750GB HDD 6GB RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD A6-3400M APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Internet Speed
    25mbps
Hi,

Thanks for your help.

Shift F10 did not do anything-no command prompt. Still blank screen with cursor.

This tutorial does not help me. I do not have any Windows installation disk or a distribution. My only copy of Windows is on my laptop which does not start into Windows.

Any other ideas?
 

My Computer

System One

Welcome
This will get you to boot unless its a hardware problem

If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD.
Hard Disc Controller must be set to IDE in BIOS and Bios must be set to boot from the CD Boot Priority - Change

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.




Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.
  • Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
  • Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
  • Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hi,

Tried a Vista Recovery CD yesterday and had no luck. Set my laptop to boot from DVD drive, put in the Recovery CD and rebooted. Windows got a little bit further along the loading process but then went to the same screen-nothing except a blinking cursor.

Any other ideas??

Thanks, Gregory
 

My Computer

System One

Might very well be a bad hard drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
You probably need a new hard drive, my laptop had the same problem and a new hard drive fixed it.

Try using an old one if you have it handy, and see if it boots up. although your drivers will not work, it should still boot up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion G6
    Memory
    750GB HDD 6GB RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD A6-3400M APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Internet Speed
    25mbps
So now there are two votes for the Hard Drive. You may just want an expert to check it out, if you cant.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
try open your CPU and press all plugins ram plates as much as u can...for any loose contacts....it will boot as before....i have also faceed the same problem i did it like i mentioned above..it came back to original boot set up....
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    dell
    CPU
    dell
    Motherboard
    x 965 chipset
    Memory
    1 gb ram 160 hdd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dell tft
try open your CPU and press all plugins ram plates as much as u can...for any loose contacts....it will boot as before....i have also faceed the same problem i did it like i mentioned above..it came back to original boot set up..
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    dell
    CPU
    dell
    Motherboard
    x 965 chipset
    Memory
    1 gb ram 160 hdd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dell tft
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