black screen with cursor after logon and ctrl-alt-delete not working

[kasei]

Hi,
So I haven't opened my old laptop (Windows Vista Home Premium) for a few months and recently tried to log on to retrieve some old files. However, every time after I log on, it just displays a black screen with a cursor and when I press ctrl-alt-delete, nothing is happening. I tried logging on in safe mode, but the same thing is happening.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Yard Dog]

Hello, and welcome. Are you getting any advanced boot functions : http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88009-advanced-boot-options.html

 

[usasma]

Do you have an installation disk or are you able to boot to System Repair?
If so, try a System Restore to a date previous to see if that helps.

 

[kasei]

ok, I can get to the Advanced Boot Options, but I don't have an installation disk. Is there any other way to fix it? Also, I was wondering if I would lose all my information on the computer.
Thanks.

 

[Yard Dog]

Do you have an installation disk or are you able to boot to System Repair?
If so, try a System Restore to a date previous to see if that helps.

Try what John has suggested.. you will not lose any data.

 

[kasei]

ok this is going to sound really stupid, but how do you boot System Repair or System Restore to a previous date?

 

[Yard Dog]

Once you press the System restore. it will show you a date. or you can choose a different date.. see if you have one bout a week prior to these issues..

 

[kasei]

Where can I find System Restore?

 

[Yard Dog]

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/194765-system-recovery-options.html You are using Method One. you will see that once you press the Repair My Computer .

 

[kasei]

I pressed Repair My Computer, but it says "Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause." and then it says that I need the Windows installation disc, which I don't believe I have. More information: "Status: 0xc000000f Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible"

 

[Yard Dog]

Can you press the Safe mode with command prompt by using F8 on start up. ? If so.. use this : http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

 

[kasei]

I pressed that, but I can't access command prompt because when I log on, all it shows is a black screen with a moving mouse and I can't access the start menu to get to command prompt.

 

[Yard Dog]

Do you by any chance have another user account made that can be used ?

 

[kasei]

No, I tried logging on with the guest account in safe mode with command prompt, but it says "Windows could not connect to the Sens service."

 

[Yard Dog]

Do you have files that you need to save ? See if you can save them using this : Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

 

[kasei]

OK, I'm going to try that to recover some I the documents I need. Also, is it possible to access the music I had in iTunes using that?

 

[Yard Dog]

You should be able to .. if the hard drive is not shot.

 

[usasma]

That usually means that the boot loader couldn't see your hard drive (which is odd because the bootloader is on the hard drive).

Run CHKDSK /R /F on the hard drive if you can get into a DOS prompt
If not, then run these free bootable diagnostics: Initial Hardware Diagnostics