Windows 7 boots to an unresponsive black screen with mouse cursor...

Anonymous
2012-04-05T04:26:16+00:00

Started up the PC one day and it booted to a black screen. I didn't change the configuration in any way, it just happened suddenly.

What it does:

The PC turns on like normal. I get the bios screen. I get the Windows logo screen. Then I get a black screen with a mouse cursor in the middle.

I can move the mouse, but the buttons don't do anything--left or right click.  No keys on the keyboard change the screen. Ctrl+Alt+Del does nothing. Windows key does nothing. Esc does nothing, etc. At this point the only option is to hold down the power button and turn it off.

What I've tried:

I tried to start it in safe mode, but the same thing happens. It shows the system files that are loading. The last file it shows loading is Windows/system32/DRIVERS/AtiPcie.sys then it goes to a black screen with a mouse cursor again; only this time it is in safe mode resolution so the mouse cursor is larger and not as sharp. Also, no keyboard strokes have any affect just as with normal mode.

It is a Dell Inspiron, so it came with an onboard repair utility. I used the Startup Repair tool, but it found no problems. The diagnostics tools found no issues with the hard drive or any of the other major system components. However, this error came up which appears to be related to the multi-card (SD, micro SD, etc.) reader on the front of the PC:

error code 4400:011A

msg:SCSI_1-000 DISK_generic-_SD/MMC - target not ready

It seems that this is unrelated to the black screen. I unplugged the card reader and still had the same problem. Otherwise, it passes all other tests the onboard diagnostic utility has including, memory tests, fan tests, hard drive tests, etc.

I have not, however, tried a full system restore yet. From what I've read in several forums, many have tried this in similar situations and still had the same problem. Since there are several files I'd rather not lose, I wanted to explore all other avenues.

Sorry if this is a repeat question in the forum. Most of the other situations seemed similar, but there was always something they could do that I could not, like press Ctrl+Alt+Del or boot into safe mode or whatever.

Here is as much of the system info that I can gather without having the PC on (not mine, I'm doing this for a friend):

-Dell Inspiron (I think it's a 570)

-OS: Windows 7 Home

-AMD Athlon II X2

-Integrated Video Card (I tried both the VGA output and the HDMI, which he normally uses, and both give the same results) ATI Radeon HD 4200

I hope I've been thorough enough to allow you to help me without wasting any of your time, and I thank you in advance.

Windows for home | Other | Input and language

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-16T01:08:12+00:00

    But NO!!  I was provided a very short piece of code which was run through the FRST64 program.  I ran  it which reverted my registry to a date about two weeks earlier...........AWESOME - Windows appeared!!!  I could not believe it.

    Ed

    Would you please provide the line of code you mention here?

    Thanks

    Bob

    You have to run it through combofix and I don't recall what it is. Go to bleeping computer.com. they can help.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-21T22:28:09+00:00

    Okay This is how i fixed my.When your PC boots up press F8 then some settings will come up. Dont Hit repair your system it wont help.Ok go down the list untill you see this one that say last configuration to a successful start up.I really hoped it worked for you as it did for me.The black screen got me when i got up from a nap.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-25T18:47:06+00:00

    I read a thread on a site and whoever figured this out WAS a genius... 

    This is what this person said to do..... 

    1. UNPLUG THE LAPTOP 
    2. REMOVE THE BATTERY 
    3. HOLD DOWN THE POWER BUTTON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO 2 MINUTES 
    4. THEN PUT THE BATTERY BACK IN 
    5. START IT UP.. 

    It worked immediately...I nearly cried when it started up... try it!!! Best of Luck friends

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-26T20:26:08+00:00

    Hi,

    1. Have you made any changes to the computer prior to this issue?

    The issue (black screen) you’re facing could be related to drivers and could be resolved by updating the display drivers. Without the correct driver, the hardware or device that you want to use won't work properly.

    To confirm the same, start the Computer in low-resolution video mode. This starts Windows using your current video driver and using low resolution and refresh rate settings.

    This option is available in Advanced startup options.

    To start you computer in low-resolution video mode, follow the steps below:

    1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
    2. Press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.
    3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Enable low-resolution video (640×480), and then press Enter.

    If the problem doesn't reappear in low-resolution mode, then the issue is driver related. You can resolve this by downloading display card driver from the manufacturer's website.

    I’d suggest you to visit the manufacturer’s website and update the chipset, display and graphic drivers to the latest one for Windows 7.

    Refer the links below for more details on updating drivers:

    Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properly******

    Update drivers: recommended links**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Update-drivers-recommended-links**

    Also refer: Why is my screen black when I start Windows 7?

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/why-is-my-screen-black-when-i-start-windows-7

    Hope this helps.

    You said "If the problem doesn't reappear in low-resolution mode, then the issue is driver related." You gave a thorough and helpful guide, but this guide will only help you if the problem did NOT appear again. You gave no help as what to do if the problem DID reappear, which is what happened to me.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-08-27T00:00:18+00:00

    I read a thread on a site and whoever figured this out WAS a genius... 

    This is what this person said to do..... 

    1. UNPLUG THE LAPTOP 
    2. REMOVE THE BATTERY 
    3. HOLD DOWN THE POWER BUTTON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO 2 MINUTES 
    4. THEN PUT THE BATTERY BACK IN 
    5. START IT UP.. 

    It worked immediately...I nearly cried when it started up... try it!!! Best of Luck friends

    tried this three times and it didn't fix my black screen with cursor.

    I tried every F2 & F12 option  and then tried "Restore System" on F8.....................it worked.

    When Windows finally loaded I used Norton Power Eraser to see if there were any bugs, viruses, etc. It found one bad file "rpcss.dll" and fixed it.

    Now my laptop is running faster than it was last Sunday.

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