Black screen of death

[Sonicje]

Hi everyone,

after houres searching and trying I can't figure out this problem...
And I'm hoping someone of you can help me out

My problem...
I'm stuck with the "Black screen of death".
I get the black screen with the white arrow that I can move, but I can't do anything else.

I've already tried the following:
- ctrl + alt + del to open task manager and open explorer.exe (no luck)
- ctrl + shift + esc (no luck either)
- Used my Vista cd to "repair my computer". (No boot problems found)
- Ran a checkdisk -r and -f from the repair console (nothing changed)
- Used the commando bootrec /FixMbr + /FixBoot + /BuildBcd (nothing)
- checked my RpcSs in the regedit.
- changed my Logs map to Logs_bad and created new Logs map (c:\Windows\System32\winevt)
- Tried to boot in safe mode (the same problem as standard boot)
- Put the HDD in an external case and checked on virusses (nothing there)
- Changed the permission to everyone (HDD in external case)
- Used GParted Live to see if the correct partition was flagged with "boot". (was so)
- Tried system recovery to a point back (it says there were no points, while I created a few a while back)

And that's about it...
I've found some other options to try, but all the others require that you can get task manager running.

Does anyone have an idea what I can try next ?
Beside reinstalling my complete system ? :D

Thanks in advance
And sorry about my bad English...

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Here is a solution from our own Corrine
http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/294815-black-screen-death.html

 

[Sonicje]

Welcome
Here is a solution from our own Corrine
http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/294815-black-screen-death.html

Thanks for the fast answer,
But when I click that link, another tab opens with this discussion in it.

Kind regards

 

[richc46]

LOL,
Ill take care of that check back in five.

 

[richc46]

Mysterious Vista KSOD (blacK Screen Of Death) ~ Security Garden

 

[Sonicje]

Mysterious Vista KSOD (blacK Screen Of Death) ~ Security Garden

Thanks, but how does this work ?
Must I download the script and run it ?

And how do I run it ? I only can get Prompt to open via the recovery disc.
Also, when I run the script, what then ? Do I mail it to him ?

Sorry if I come off noobish, but I never had experience with this kind of problem.

 

[richc46]

Not your fault, that information should have been sent later on if necessary.
Start with this.
A computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 stops responding at a black screen early in the startup process

 

[Sonicje]

Not your fault, that information should have been sent later on if necessary.
Start with this.
A computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 stops responding at a black screen early in the startup process

Thanks again for the reply, but how do I apply the hotfix when I can't get into explorer ?
Can I run it from the console in recovery ?

 

[richc46]

LOL, good point.
Lets see if you can, at least, boot
If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD.
Hard Disc Controller must be set to IDE in BIOS and Bios must be set to boot from the CD Boot Priority - Change

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.




Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

 

[Sonicje]

LOL, good point.
Lets see if you can, at least, boot
If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD.
Hard Disc Controller must be set to IDE in BIOS and Bios must be set to boot from the CD Boot Priority - Change

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.




Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

Thanks for the reply !
I will try this tomorrow and I will let you know how it went

 

[Sonicje]

Urgh, no luck either...

The sata controller was set on RAID.
I changed it to IDE, but when I let the system boot, it gives a very quick bluescreen and reboots.
In Safe mode it does nothing, just starts to boot and shuts down and restarts.

I created a recovery disk (vista x64) and it immediatly said "problem while booting, searching for solution". I've let it run for a half hour while saying "attempting repairs" and then it says "Cannot repair automatically"

Then I went to the prompt via the recovery disk and did "bootrec /fixmbr + /fixboot" again.
Nu luck either...

Is there anything else I could try ?

 

[richc46]

OK
If you install Ubuntu, it will serve two purposes
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek
If it cannot install, you have a hardware problem; you may have to bring it in to be fixed.
If you can install, save your stuff. Then report back.

 

[Sonicje]

OK
If you install Ubuntu, it will serve two purposes
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek
If it cannot install, you have a hardware problem; you may have to bring it in to be fixed.
If you can install, save your stuff. Then report back.

I've runned the Linux CD.
First I tried to boot it up live.
It's stuck at the point he's loading the display drivers.
But I just putted the GParted live in and when I see my drives there is a problem at my /dev/sda1 (boot partition).

When I review the problem I get the following message:
Warning: The disk has bad sector. This means physical damage on the disk surface caused by deterioration, manufacturing faults or other reason. The reliability of the disk may stay stable or degrade fast. We suggest making a full backup urgently by running 'ntfsclone --rescue...' then run 'chkdsk /f /r' on Windows and reboot TWICE! Then you can resize NTFS safely by additionally using the --bad-sectors option of ntfsresize.

This is the computer of a friend I'm looking at, he told me he was repartionning his drives when this happend.
I'm going to run the chkdsk /r again now and then going to try to resize the bad sectors.

Or should I try something else ?

 

[richc46]

It sounds like the hard drive may be failing. His stuff may be lost, already. If it is the hard drive all that you could do is get a new one. If there is a way to save his stuff do it as soon as possible.. You could run the chkdsk, but the results are not significant. Chkdsk is not always accurate.

 

[Sonicje]

It sounds like the hard drive may be failing. His stuff may be lost, already. If it is the hard drive all that you could do is get a new one. If there is a way to save his stuff do it as soon as possible.. You could run the chkdsk, but the results are not significant. Chkdsk is not always accurate.

When I'm in the prompt screen I can access the C: disk and cd my way true the files. Also I've got the HDD out and put it in an external case.

There I copyed the most important files (documents, music, photo's, ...)
But the drive is still working.

Wouldn't I get a message in sort of "no drive found" if the disk was dying ?

I'll run checkdisk /r for a moment and will check back with GParted live to see if the error still occours. I'll have to try to reïnstall Windows.
If the problem still occours, I can call the hard drive dead.

I'll let you know how it went !

 

[Sonicje]

As suspected, no difference.

I'm going to reformat the disc and if that doesn't work replace the HDD.

Thanks for the help tough !

 

[cdcdan]

For everyone, thestartup with vista black screen wwindows about 30-90 seconds, replace the SATAcable! That's all! It follows a normalbootup, about 15-30 seconds. Only good!