Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: zutefaze on February 11, 2009, 08:07:59 PM

Title: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: zutefaze on February 11, 2009, 08:07:59 PM: Computer info: Gateway 835 GM
Windows XP

Before I present my problem, I want to say that I am pretty much a noob here at trying to fix a computer, and the only thing I've done with a computer as far as with my expertise with computers is install a hard-drive.

So before the bigger problem came about, the computer was already infected with a Trojan , so I tried to find some solutions but with no luck- so I was stuck with the Trojan but the pc was still kind of operative but with slow internet speed.

After more than a half a year, still operating in the same condition, it came to an end when my sister turned on the computer and it started abnormally. All it does it goes in to a black screen with things saying

"We apologize...recent hardware/ software change might have cause this."
"Computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect you files...start up attempt was interrupted due to a power failure.."

Then it has the options:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

or
Last know Good Configuration (your most recent settings that work)

or
start windows Normally

I tried every one of the options and each of every option I get brought back to the black screen with options.
My father took it to get it fixed but to no avail, only option is recovery/reformat which is what sister and I do not want- at all.
Is there any way to retrieve the data? or could this be a power supply problem?

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated to find the problem or have a solution.

I also wanted to note that where I live I do not have computer with internet so I'll be replying elsewhere- it could take a while to reply, so bare with me. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: Broni on February 11, 2009, 09:50:59 PM: Quote
My father took it to get it fixed but to no avail
What kind of place was it? What happened?
Do you have Windows CD?
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: zutefaze on February 12, 2009, 03:17:10 PM: Office Depot is where it got taken and they said that they werent able to fix it or recover any data with their programs. The only way to fix it is by replacing the hard-drive or do a recovery. And the computer did not come with Windows CD, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: Broni on February 12, 2009, 03:25:48 PM: Download Windows Recovery Console: http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso
Download, and install free Imgburn: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
Using Imgburn, burn rc.iso to a CD.
Boot to the CD...let it finish loading.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
Then, follow the steps from here: http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_windows_xp, starting below this picture on page 1:
(http://icrontic.com/draco/images/articles/repairing_windows_xp_in_eight_commands/xp_src_welcome.gif)
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: zutefaze on February 13, 2009, 02:37:16 PM: Quote from: Broni on February 12, 2009, 03:25:48 PM
Download, and install free Imgburn: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
[/img]

I canno't install Imgburn, I get an error( Error opening for writing:...) is it because the computer I am using has a problem, maybe with a virus?
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: Broni on February 13, 2009, 08:23:35 PM: Try different computer.
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: zutefaze on February 21, 2009, 06:18:57 PM: I typed in the 3 commands (H:/>ATTRIB -H C:BOOT. INI etc.) and I get a response that "the file can not be opened" for all 3 commands.

Do I proceed with the next step of deletion H:/>Del Boot.INI? and is it necessary for me to type in "H:/MiniNT>C .." to get to the basic root?
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: Broni on February 21, 2009, 06:31:19 PM: Make sure, the command are identical. For instance...
It's not:
H:/>ATTRIB -H C:BOOT. INI
but
H: ATTRIB -H C:\\boot.ini
Every letter, sign, and space matters.
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: zutefaze on February 21, 2009, 07:30:24 PM: I still get same response when I have typed in >:(...

"Which Windows installation would you like to log onto
<To cancel, press ENTER>? 1
H:MiniNT>cd ..

H:ATTRIB -H C:\\boot.ini

H:ATTRIB -H C:\\BOOT.INI

H: ATTRIB -H C:\\boot.ini (w/ space in front)

and

H: ATTRIB -H C:\\BOOT.INI"

??? What could it be?
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: Broni on February 21, 2009, 07:37:26 PM: It may be the infection blocking the access.
I'm afraid, there is not much more, we can do here.
I'd suggest slaving the drive in another computer to retrieve data, and formatting the drive afterwards.
Instead of slaving, hard drive enclosure can be used.
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: zutefaze on February 21, 2009, 08:04:34 PM: What is the difference? or a better question, which option is more efficient in retrieving the data?
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: Broni on February 21, 2009, 08:50:59 PM: Hard drive enclosure is easier to use. You remove bad drive, put it into hard drive enclosure, which you connect to working computer through USB cable.
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: zutefaze on February 24, 2009, 08:18:25 PM: I went to the store and there was a variety of hard drive enclosures, price ranging from $10 to $50 and up. Is there a specific enclosure that I need?

Also, when I remove the bad drive and insert the hard drive enclosure- is the bad drive connected in any way to the hard drive enclosure? ???

Just unclear on the "how" part on recovering the data.
Title: Re: Computer Only Restarts with Black Screen, and thats all it does.
Post by: Broni on February 24, 2009, 08:38:30 PM: All you need to know is, if your drive is IDE, or SATA type.
IDE:

(http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/images/ST3200820A-R.jpg)

SATA:

(http://empirepcrepair.com/store/images/sata%20hard%20drive.jpg)

Note the different connectors.

If any doubt, buy an enclosure, which is IDE/SATA compatible (it has two sets of cables)

Inside, you connect data, and power cable:

(http://www.usbgear.com/usb2-usb-firewire-enclosure/1394_hdd_enclosure_out1.jpg)

close the enclosure, connect USB cable between the enclosure, and your computer, connect enclosure power cable to the power source, power up computer, and you're good to go.