Black Screen with Flashing White Cursor on Startup

[ecloud13]

Hi
I'm sure this same problem has occurred multiple times to multiple people, but I've been trying everything I know to solve it.

Every time I turn on my computer I get the MSI screen but then the screen goes black with one white flashing cursor in the upper left corner.

I CAN get into BIOS but that hasn't proved helpful as of yet. I've unplugged every external device except the monitor but it still occurred. I tried unplugging my extra harddrive and DVD drive but to no avail. Every post I've read has told me that it's probably a problem with my main hard drive, but that has 120 GB of precious data that I would be loathe to give up.

To make the problem worse I CAN'T get into safe mode and I DON'T have the original XP CD. Never have.

[JJ 3000]

Does the hard drive show up in BIOS?

[ecloud13]

Yes. I've checked BIOS and my Hard Drives and my DVD drive all show up as does my processor.

[JJ 3000]

Have you tried loading the default settings in BIOS?

[ecloud13]

Yes. When I tried that instead of going to the black screen the screen turned a multitude of distorted colors but after restarting it went back to the same black screen with the flashing cursor.

[JJ 3000]

Can you boot to a CD?

[ecloud13]

I have no CD to boot to.

[truenorth]

See if there is something here that you have NOT tried yet.
http://tips4pc.com/computer-problems/my-computer-boots-up-to-a-black-screen-with-a-flashing-cursor.htm
truenorth

[truenorth]

What in the world is that all about? truenorth

[ecloud13]

What in the world is WHAT all about?

And I've already been to that website. As far as I can tell it only gives me 3 options none of which have worked or are possible for me to do. I've tried unplugging unnecessary devices andresetting my boot options. The third option only pertains to vista and 7 (or so it says) and even then I can't do it because I don't have the XP CD.

[JJ 3000]

Is the time and date right in BIOS?

[ecloud13]

Yes. Both are.

[JJ 3000]

Run the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostics.

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

[ecloud13]

Ok well my main hard drive is a Western Digital but I'm unsure which link to use under the Western Digital part.

[jason2074]

but that has 120 GB of precious data that I would be loathe to give up.

Seek first on slaving or connecting the drive to another computer to first recover or copy your files. Depending if its a SATA or IDE, you will need an adapter or enclosure to hook the HD on a working PC.