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

Anonymous

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.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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143 answers

Anonymous

2017-08-24T11:06:42+00:00

Hello Nowg,

I had the same problem just as i booted up this PC right now, and fixed it pretty easy with opening the bios and setting the general no.1 boot option to my 950 pro ssd and i had to wait a bit.
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Anonymous

2017-08-14T13:45:24+00:00

Had same problem as OP after cloning a damaged HDD to a replacement drive. This is what finally worked for me.

Ran System File Checker in Offline mode. Credit to http://www.thewindowsclub.com/run-system-file-checker-safe-mode-boot-time for providing steps. Below is my customized summary. The instructions in link will differ.

__Boot from Windows install disc (or USB. I suggest creating one with MS tools or Rufus)

__Go through repair wizard and choose Command Prompt option

__Determine your Windows drive and directory as seen by the intaller environment. Do not take for granted it is C:. As it usually is, it is also possible systems with multiple drives will not enumerate your original boot drive as C:. Take the time to CD to C:, D:, E:, etc. Go into Users directory and see if it has folders matching known users.

__Once drive is confirmed, run this command, replacing "C:" as necessary - "sfc /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=d:\windows"

Had that not worked my next idea was to have OS re-detect hardware and reload drivers. I have not tested as I did not need this step but if anyone feels they need to the process I found here may work: https://superuser.com/questions/271575/remove-and-reinstall-all-drivers

Similar to above the steps would be

__Boot from Windows install disc (or USB. I suggest creating one with MS tools or Rufus)

__Go through repair wizard and choose Command Prompt option

__Run this command - "c:\windows\system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe"

__Check Generalizeand

__Click OK
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Anonymous

2017-07-06T06:22:09+00:00

yeah even i faced the same problem

So click ctrl+alt+del and start task manager.

and then you need to uninstall all the graphics drivers.

then restart your sys.

cleanup your disk.

repair your sys.

and then go to support.dell.com/help.

there search for updates and install them.

your comp will get repaired.

=====================

I got this inf from Gurveer who helped me solve this problem.

so if you cannot solve it, try contacting customer care.

===========================
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Anonymous

2017-03-25T00:44:07+00:00

I FIXED IT...I ABSOLUTELY FIXED IT.

Make sure your computer/Laptop is off.

Now press the power button.

Hold F8 as soon as it turns on.

Advanced Boot Menu will appear.

Select Restore Point/Sytem Restore.

Choose a restore point before the problem arised.

Check reveal more restore points (if needed).

Click Restore.

IG/SC - @djmagwede
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Anonymous

2017-02-16T00:55:06+00:00

The last answer is NOT helpful if you cannot get past the black screen.

Ok, I just got a computer with this issue in. I am also 90% sure it is driver related.

Windows 7 64 bit, this solution worked for me, not sure it will work for 8 or 10. It will only work if you have automatic System Restore turned on, or you have done a manual "create a restore point" recently.

Start the computer and keep tapping F8 until you get the advanced start up menu.

Select Repair your computer (the first choice i think).

Select System Restore and select a restore point from before the date the problem occurred. Run.

My system restore failed, but when I restarted the PC (in safe mode) it seemed to start "reasonably" normally. And, it gave me a "System Restore completed successfully" message. (I have seem lots of System Restores fail, only to complete and work after a manual restart.)

I then repeated the System Restore exercise to a slightly earlier point in Safe Mode. It worked this time.

Restarted the PC in normal mode, and everything worked.

I then manually installed all the updates again, and ran several virus and malware scanners just in case. No virus or malware was found. Therefore pretty sure it is Microsoft and or Intel HD driver related.

I created a manual restore point after the fix, just in case it happens again.

Good luck, I hope this works for you.
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