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
    2018-12-21T22:25:44+00:00

    This issue does not allow for a command prompt. Safe mode or normal mode, it boots to a black screen with a mouse pointer. And that is it. It's not locked up completely, as the caps lock is still responsive and the pointer moves around with the mouse. Sticky keys do not work, ctrl-alt-del does not work, command prompt will not load … every option in the F8 menu (aside from repair) does not work … nodda. Your issue was apparently different. I'm currently working this issue on a customers computer. If I figure out a fix, I will post back.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-02T16:35:49+00:00

    I found a solution to the problem recently;

    Such a problem occurs because your explorer.exe file does not run automatically, may be because of some virus effect;

    Try opening Task Manager(Ctrl+Shift+Esc or Alt+Ctrl+Del taskmanager) and in file option run a task "explorer.exe"

    or

    Try the following steps for a solution;

    1.At booting time long press F8.

    2.Open safe mode with command prompt

    3.path C:/Windows/system32 is opened by default. Press cd.. and the type explorer.exe

    4.Your desktop will open up normally.

    however this will shut again after a restart and you will have to follow the process allover again.

    That would be nice if people were able to login. This problem thread relates to windows booting up and not getting to the Login screen, only a black screen with a mouse cursor.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-24T02:11:54+00:00

    I can tell you I just spent several weeks working on this problem.  I had a black screen, with just a cursor showing.  The same thing showed up in safe mode.  The only way I could do anything was to boot up with the original disk and work in CMD mode.  I could bring up regedit and taskmgr.  Very little would run in taskmgr and Regedit edits would not hold.  Restore would not work.

    How I tried to fix:

    Changed ata cable to harddisk

    disconnected pcie video card

    unplugged everything

    tried a different ata port

    made sure it was not running too hot

    set default BIOS settings

    bebuild boot manage; bootrec tool - Total rebuild, fix, etc, everything possible

    ran scandsk - all modes

    ran sfc scannow

    Tried to change registry to fix known problem (prevx)

    I searched every blog, posting, whatever I could find for answers

    NOTHING WORKED

    I thought I would reinstall windows, than I came across www.bleepingcomputer.com and saw a posting about this same problem related to viruses/malware

    I downloaded program FRST64, it ran a scan and found ZEROACCESS

    I was provided some commands to fix/clear the virus/es

    I tried to reboot - not fixed, I created a disk with Microsoft Defender offline, it ran and found more zeroaccess and a Java virus

    I still could not get into Windows.

    I was instructed to run FRST64 again...it now found some problems but it indicated the PC could not load the "system hive", basically the Registry.  I was sure I was hosed and needed to just reinstall Windows. 

    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.

    BLACK SCREEN of Death in my case was malware/viruses

    BLACK SCREEN with a cursor in my case was malware/virus

    You do not have to reinstall Windows, it is fixable.  It is best I did not reinstall Windows since the virus might not have been fixed.

    I post this so others know there is a solution and Windows does not need to be installed.

    Good luck.

    Ed

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-06-25T17:40:50+00:00

    I am having the EXACT problem including what Francoise wrote - my drive is partitioned and the problem only occurs on the 2010 partition, I can startup in the 2007 partition just fine. Both have Windows 7 on them. But when I do the F8 and try to go to "last known" it only displays dates for the C drive - the 2007 side. I haven't backed up in a while and I have LOADS of data I cannot risk losing.

    I'm not especially technical and my office tech person isn't returning our calls. What do I try next?

    PS: Even when I launch in Safe Mode - I get a black screen with a movable mouse.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-06-22T08:38:48+00:00

    I had the same problem but when I pressed the f8/f2 button, I did not see an option for the "last known good confiuguration".....help????

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