boot stuck on black screen with cursor pointer

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Guest

I upgraded to Vista from XP and everything worked for one month. My kid
resetted the PC and since then Vista does not boot. It passes the boot
screen with the green stripes with Microsoft logo and does not reach the
Vista green screen. It get stuck on a black screen with only mouse cursor
pointer dispalyed.
I tried to boot in safe mode, I tried repair mode without success; it is
stuck the same way as in normal mode.

Please advise what I need to do or how to reinstall from DVD. I tried to
reinstall from DVD and could not pass the product key screen.

Please help, I have run out of any good ideas...
 
Unfortunately, you have to install Vista, when using an Upgrade DVD (that
is, one that came with an Upgrade key), by starting the installation from
your Desktop, and not by booting directly to the DVD. That is why your key
is not being accepted. Obviously, you aren't able do that though. To get
around that, you will have to install Vista twice.

The first time boot to the DVD, but don't enter the key (choose activate
later) when you start the installation. Once Vista is installed don't
activate the key, because you'll have to install Vista again, but this time
starting the installation from the Vista desktop; that is, only insert the
DVD once you have Vista running). You can enter your key when the
installation begins (which should work, since you have an upgrade key).

Since, during the second installation, you are now in Upgrade mode, most of
your settings, etc. from anything you've done so far in Vista (user account
name, time zone, etc.) will be saved. Be sure to choose upgrade, and not
clean install, when Setup prompts you.

An Upgrade install takes longer, so don't panic when nothing seems to be
happening. Also, Setup will re-boot a few times during the install: ignore
the prompt to "Press any key to boot from the DVD", each time it reboots;
i.e., don't press any key, and setup will automatically continue in Upgrade
mode after a few seconds (if you press a key, you'll be back at square one,
in which case quit the program, and restart).

During the second install, you can tell Setup to automatically activate your
key for you, or do it after the installation completes.

This might help:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp
 
Rick,

I really do not know. I runned diagnostics on my Dell and everything is OK.
One thing I forgot to mention is that after waiting a long time the default
Vista screen saver appeared on the screen, so there is a problem that keeps
Vista stuck before reaching the login screen...

DannyE
 
Dean-dean,

When I get to the 2 installation page and I enter the key, there is a check
box below; if I check it or not it does not make a difference; the Continue
button is not enabled... Any ideas?

Danny_E
 
Hey DannyE--

"I tried to repair without success" Perhaps; but not all your options. I'm
going to give you more. I'm going to give y you complete information for
ten options and I don't think you've used at least nine of them.

"I upgraded to Vista from XP and everything worked for one month. My kid
resetted the PC and since then Vista does not boot"


So Vista was working. We don't need any further upgrades here. We don't
need to upgrade twice.

Then you typed:

It passes the boot screen with the green stripes with Microsoft logo and
does not reach the
Vista green screen. In the Vista boot sequence that's a key piece of
information. I have no idea what you mean by the Vista green screen--help
me out with that but when you talk about that Vista progress bar we know one
thing for certain--your PC has loaded the Vista kernel. That is a valuable
differentiation point.

If your pc displays the graphical progress bar before failing, the Vista
kernel was successfully loaded. The faulty startup is because of a driver
or a service or other failure. We really don't know what the hell your son
did, do we? It would be nice to find out. Is he old enough to tell you or
show you?

I don't believe any of what Dean Dean has offered here is necessary( and
Dean Dean's posts are often spot on). I'm not sure where Dean Dean is
getting his info between the lines as to how you upgraded, and there is
certainly more than one way to upgrade--we have established that for months
on these groups as have many people including Ed Bott who wrote Vista
Inside Out on on their websites. Maybe Dean Dean has a communication with
you I did not see here.

In the first place you had Vista up and running according to what you typed
so how you upgraded apparently isn't the issue. I don't know how old your
son is, but it might help to ask him to show you what he did if he knows.

You have not exhausted your options for repair by a long shot. I don't
think you need to reinstall or reupgrade anything.


Let's look at the repair options you haven't used. How exactly have you
tried to "repair without success". Usually also when someone says I tried
to boot from safe mode, they haven't tried about 10 that's spelled ten
of their options including Bootsect and BootRec.exe (instructions below):

First of all you can try Startup Repair from the DVD and you can try safe
mode from the same Repair link on setup from the DVD. Have you? Here are
3 options. Often system restore will work from the repair option when it
won't work from F8 or Windows Advanced Options screen in vista. You also
have access to the command prompt from Win RE or the repiar link on the DVD.
You can try the command for system restore there. It often works when other
modalities don't. I know you haven't. I'll bet you don't know what the
command is to run system restore from the command prompt from the Recovery
Environment on the Vista DVD do you?

It's %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe and it comes from this XP
MSKB and it would be nice if MSFT supplied it on their Win RE recovery
options screen but they weren't smart enough to think of doing it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

You can also use this command as one of the five options from the F8 Windows
Advanced Options Screen which has 5 safe modes from which to access system
restore and Last Known Good Configuration. I count 3eight options there
and I don't think you've tried but one or two of them. Often one works
when another doesn't.

If you have a Vista DVD try Startup Repair. If that doesn't work, try
SafeMode>System Restore from the Recovery Environment, and you always have
the F8 advanced options ( five of them including Last Known Good
Configuration) and a repair install (with the DVD) as well.

In addition you can use the Bootsect tool to manually repair the boot sector
by accessing the command prompt from the DVD or from F8 and typing at the
prompt:

***Startup Repair and System Restore from the Win Recovery Environment on
the DVD***

You can run Startup Repair by putting your Vista DVD in after theanguage
screen in setup. You can also run System Restore from the same
location.

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

Note The computer must be configured to start from a CD or from a DVD. For
information about how to configure the computer to start from a CD or from a
DVD, see the information that came with the computer.
2. Restart the computer. To do this, click Start, click the arrow next to
the Lock button, and then click Restart.

This usually means that you enter bios setup by whatever key or keys
(sometimes there is more than one key that will do it for your model--go to
pc manufacturer site) and configure CD to be first in the boot order (this
will allow you to boot from the Vista DVD as well):

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/build_computer/bios/bios03.jpg

Note If you cannot restart the computer by using this method, use the power
button to turn off the computer. Then, turn the computer back on.

3. Set your language preference, and then click Next.

Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically, and you
do not have the option to select it in the System Recovery Options menu.

4. Click Repair your computer.

5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click the operating system
that you want to repair, and then click Next.

6. In the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair to start the
repair process.

7. When the repair process is complete, click Finish.

Additional References for Startup Repair With Screenshots:

How to Use Startup Repair:

***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***

1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)

2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***

Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui/images/2014/500x375.aspx

Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img_vista02ctp-installSysRecOpt2.bmp

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

3) Select your OS for repair.

4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
theWin RE feature:

You'll have a choice there of using:

1) Startup Repair
2) System Restore
3) Complete PC Restore
___________________

In addition you can use the Bootsect tool to manually repair the boot sector
by accessing the command prompt from the DVD or from F8 and typing at the
prompt:

Bootsect.exe is available from the \Boot\folder of the Windows Vista DVD and
can be run from within System Recovery or Windows XP on a dual boot.


1. Use Bootsect.exe to restore the Windows Vista MBR and the boot code that
transfers control to the Windows Boot Manager program. To do this, type the
following command at a command prompt: Drive:\boot\Bootsect.exe /NT60 All

In this command, Drive is the drive where the Windows Vista installation
media is located.

Note The boot folder for this step is on the DVD drive.
2. Use Bcdedit.exe to manually create an entry in the BCD Boot.ini file for
the earlier version of the Windows operating system. To do this, type the
following commands at a command prompt.

Note In these commands, Drive is the drive where Windows Vista is
installed. • Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /create {ntldr} –d "Description
for earlier Windows version"

Note In this command, Description for earlier Windows version can be any
text that you want. For example, Description for earlier Windows version can
be "Windows XP" or "Windows Server 2003".
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /set {ntldr} device partition=x:

Note In this command, x: is the drive letter for the active partition.
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} –addlast

3. Restart the computer.
____________________________
******Using the BootRec.exe Tool

Using the System Recovery Tool from the Repair link on the DVD after the
language choice in the lower left hand corner you can select command prompt
and you have the following options:

Bootrec.exe (You can use this tool to recover Vista even when you do not
receive the error message that is the title of the 2nd linked MSKB below):

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us

Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration
Data file is missing required information"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927391/en-us
_____________________________________________________________
***Using the F8 Environment or a Repair Install from the DVD:***

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/build_computer/bios/bios03.jpg

Repair Install
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Repair Install (Method 2):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/315341

III Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
by startin gth ePC and tapping F8 once per second:

You could also:

Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
Configuration


Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
Prompt.

These methods are outlined in

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/

How to Use System Restore

http://bertk.mvps.org/

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/plan/faqsrwxp.mspx

Using System Restore

http://tinyurl.com/dvekb

System Restore for Windows XP

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449


Repair Install: (This option has the best chance of succeeding and it
preserves everything in your OS--you do not lose anything with this option):

Make sure the DVD you have is a Vista DVD

Pitfalls: If the DVD came from friend or relative or P2P, you may have
problems. P2P besides being illlegal in many countries including the U.S.
can be corrupt. If CD came from friend or relative, they may have given
you the CD to use but if product key is in use, MSFT is not going to accept
it for activation. Make sure you clean the CD carefully using proper
cleaning fluid and strokes that radiate from center like spokes on a wheel.

Again a repair install has the most likely chance to succeed in XP, (and can
work in Vista) but you need
to have a Vista DVD.

First, in order to do a Repair Install You must boot to the bios setup and
position booting from the "CD" first in the boot order--it probably will not
say DVD but might.

Booting to Bios Setup:

For 85% of PC's and all Dells you can tap the F2 key to reach bios setup.

How To Enable DVD/CD Rom Support (put CD boot first) in bios setup boot
order:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_enable_cdrom_support_i.htm

Screen Shot of bios setup boot order:
http://www.poy.net/proxy/bios2.jpg

Repair Install Does Not Lose Anything; you may need to try 2-3 times but
that's rare.

How To Repair Install
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341#XSLTH3127121122120121120120
Screen Shot Repair Install
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

Good luck,

CH
 
If you are using the DVD to boot your computer, an Upgrade key won't work,
and won't let you continue with the Install. DON'T enter your key's
numbers/letters. Leave it blank. Don't allow Vista to activate later,
either. Further, after the installation is complete, don't activate your
key. Leaving the Key info blank will not prevent you from installing.
Entering your key will.

From within your new installation of Vista, install Vista one more time (you
have thirty days), only start the installation from the Vista desktop.
Insert the the DVD *AFTER* you see the Vista Desktop with wallpaper, icons,
taskbar, start menu, etc. Setup will start. NOW you can enter your key's
numbers/letters. (Setup wants to see that you are running Windows, in order
to Upgrade.)

If you had the Full Version of Vista, your key code would be accepted if you
booted using the DVD, but I don't believe you do. Look on the box the DVD
came in, it probably says Upgrade, at the top of the box, with a red
background...
 
Chad,

Did not see your emil yesterday, so I took Dean-dean's advice and
re-installed Vista. One thing that did not work is the update part of it
but this came with a benefit of cleanning a lot of junk that came from XP
update. I am currently going to install what I need :).

Thanks for the suggestions; I will save them in case I need to do this
again...

Thanks again for your and dean-dean's efforts to help.

DannyE
 
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