1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Computer turns on but screen remains black - after running windows updates

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by mwilliams, 2009/11/30.

  1. 2009/11/30
    mwilliams

    mwilliams Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/11/30
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have a custom built computer that I recieved from my mom and it is quite old. I was running windows updates on it last night and when the updates were through I shut down the computer and this morning I got up and turned on the computer and it powered on but the screen remains black. I am not very computer savy I know how to do the basic and that is about it any help would be appreciated
     
    mwilliams,
    #1
  2. 2009/11/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Welcome to WindowsBBS :)

    You will need to pad out a little bit more detail .....
    Is there any evidence that the computer is booting as shown by hard drive activity and the lights on the optical drives flashing? If the answer is 'Yes' can you try out the monitor on another computer?

    Does the monitor light change from amber to green or remain on amber (standby)?

    Do you have the XP installation CD for the computer?
     
    PeteC,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2009/11/30
    mwilliams

    mwilliams Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/11/30
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    When I turn on the computer the screen shows dOS and I can hit F8 which brings up the Boot Menu with Floppy disk, Hard Drive, and CDROM options once the computer runs DOS the screen goes black.
     
    mwilliams,
    #3
  5. 2009/11/30
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

    Joined:
    2006/09/10
    Messages:
    7,919
    Likes Received:
    511
    Hi mwilliams. Try pressing F8 on startup to bring up the advanced boot options menu and select Last Known Good Configuration. See if the computer will boot. If it doesn't then restart the system and press F8 on startup again but this time choose Safe Mode. Can the computer boot into Safe Mode?
     
    Evan Omo,
    #4
  6. 2009/12/01
    mwilliams

    mwilliams Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/11/30
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    When I hit F8 on startup the only options I get are Floppy disk, Hard drive, and CDROM. There is no option for last good configuration or safe mood.
     
    mwilliams,
    #5
  7. 2009/12/01
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

    Joined:
    2008/04/21
    Messages:
    4,649
    Likes Received:
    124
    Hi,

    After your first F8 (BIOS) boot menu select your default HD then immediatly tap F8 again, hopefully you'll be faced with a second (Windows) boot menu. If so follow Evan's advice and let us know how things go.
     
    wildfire,
    #6
  8. 2009/12/01
    mwilliams

    mwilliams Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/11/30
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    I tried the F8 after HD and it took me to safe mode and Last Known Good configuration. I tried both options and after hitting enter both ways screen remains black.
     
    mwilliams,
    #7
  9. 2009/12/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    From my earlier post .....
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2009/12/02
    mwilliams

    mwilliams Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/11/30
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    I dont have the one that came with my computer, but my father in law has one that came with his HP. Will it be okay to use the cd for the hp
     
    mwilliams,
    #9
  11. 2009/12/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    I would not think so - the HP CD is probably a Recovery CD and not a full installation CD. Even if it is it is probably tied into the hardware of the HP, i.e. an OEM CD.

    As you do not have the CD from which XP was installed and the computer is custom built my guess is that you do not have the CD key for the installation. If that is the case my intended suggestion of performing a Repair install by other means is not on.

    I vaguely wonder if this is of any significance - applies to XP as well as 7 ....

    Malware suspected of 'Black Screen' issue

    but with the computer not booting to the desktop it is not possible to attempt to remove the malware, if indeed that is the cause.
     
    PeteC,
    #10
  12. 2009/12/02
    mwilliams

    mwilliams Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/11/30
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah that was what I was afraid of and yes the cd i have for the hp is a recovery cd. I do not have the cd key either. Any other means of recovery available?
     
    mwilliams,
    #11
  13. 2009/12/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    There was one question that you haven't answered fully ....
    In other words when the screen goes black is there still hard drive activity and what is the status of the monitor light - green or amber??
     
    PeteC,
    #12
  14. 2009/12/02
    mwilliams

    mwilliams Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/11/30
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    No hard drive activity and monitor light stays green
     
    mwilliams,
    #13
  15. 2009/12/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    I suggest you check out the hard drive using the drive manufacturer's disk diagnostic software - you will need to gain physical access to the drive to determine the manufacturer and model # ......

    Disk Diagnostic Software ....

    ExcelStore

    Hitachi/IBM

    Samsung

    Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum

    Western Digital

    You require the DOS version for a bootable CD unless the computer has a floppy drive.

    I am toying with the thought that the problem is not related to Windows updates and that is just coincidental. It may be that the MBR - Master Boot Record is corrupted in which case it may be possible to run the Recovery Console from a set of startup floppy disks and attempt to fix it - a floppy drive in the computer is essential.
     
    PeteC,
    #14

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...