Was BSOD, now Black screen w/cursor

Animenut · Dec 29, 2011

My main business laptop has Norton. It kept popping up messages about blocking malware attacks. Then, in the middle of opening a document, Firefox stopped responding. I couldn't close it or Cntrl/Alt/Dlt to get the task menu up. Then, bwiink, the computer shuts off.
I started it up again, in safe mode, and managed to copy all my documents and pictures off the laptop.
Then I set about trying to trouble shoot it.

Windows stopped working, so I went online and found an update, and a tool to diagnose my OS. It stated that 2 updates had pieces missing or corrupted. I shut off the laptop and let it sit overnight, since it has had a problem with overheating (the fan runs constantly).

So, I tried to use system restore. I would not pull up, and the computer kept shutting off. The batter stopped working about a week ago, so I though maybe the power cord was loose. I have 2 identical laptops, so I switched out the power cord.

I started getting the BSOD when it would restart, then it would go into the start up menu, and allow me to choose regular or safe mode. I would choose safe mode with network. I tried to run Norton to scan all files, but it would shut off before the scan was complete.

Since the problems seemed to be getting worse, I closed my internet access and blocked all communications with the Norton Firewall. I even turned off my wireless card.

Then I got error Messages - "HP Cue Status Root has stopped working" and "WSC Stub stopped working and was closed."

When I finally got the computer to stay on long enough, I did a System Restore back to 12/2/11. When the computer restarted itself, the BSOD came back up with a System Service Exception, but would go to start menu again. After choosing Normal/Safe Mode/Safe Mode with network, it went to a black screen with a white blinking cursor.

I tried this several times in Safe mode and normal mode with the same results. At one point, I hit the enter key, and a blank white box popped up with a red circle with a white x through it and the Title "Winrs Host".

I'm at a total loss. I am currently using the other laptop to try to gather information. Help?

This was a new laptop, purchased in 2010. This is the original, factory installed everything. Had problems with multiple viruses last year when had McAfee, so switched to Norton. Have had NO problems with this laptop in a year. Norton expires in 21 days.