HELP! Black Screen & wont boot up windows Vista

[Chindia]

Hi my laptop was workig fine last week, I upgraded to internet  9, a few days after this I got a black screen, on 1 occasion I managed to use the laptop but then it has strage coloured lines on the screen. I ran a scan for viruses using malbits & superblaster & found nothing.
I eventually managed to do a restore which hen made the laptop work for a few days but not the screen stays blank & doesnt appear to boot up. I have vista installed & 32 bit version I think, home premieum.

The laptop is a medion 2300, I cant find my orignal discs as the software was pre-loaded when I bought the laptop new, but may have them somewhere.

I also had a message in the taskbar that a driver display nvlddmkn may needs updating.

Im not sure how I'll do this or if this is correct reason for the original problem or if exploror 9 casued the problem? as I cant get online with the laptop, but I can get online with this one abeit its very slow!

Many Thanks or any help!

[JJ 3000]

Tap the F8 key as the computer is starting up. Choose safe mode from the list of options. Can you see anything now?

[Azzaboi]

Did you get Internet Explorer 9 Beta from Microsoft's offical website (Microsoft Test Drive)? There's a number of warez/leaks IE9 out there which is just a retweaked fake of Internet Explorer 8 with malious software builtin (make sure you didn't install any fake version). Also note the Microsoft version isn't final and a bit buggy itself.

nvlddmkn - is a Vista Driver for a nVidia Graphic Card.

Goto the offical nVidia website: http://www.nVidia.com
Under Download Drivers > Download Drivers (tab), pick the latest drivers for your graphics card / OS, download (large ~120MB) and install.

[Chindia]

Hi thanks for your replies, If I start the laptop & press F8 I get lots of coloured lines & somes sometimes in squares & a black strip on the right hand side of the screen that is about 2 inches wide from top to bottom of the screen, the disc drive keeps spinning.

Sometimes If I start the laptop & dont press F8  after about 30 mins or more it asks for the vista installation disc.  (this has only happened once).

Im trying to recover the situation without losing all the info on the laptop.

I cant download the nvidia driver & install it as I cant see the screen the the laptop with the problem as I cant use it to see or do anything, maybe I can download it to this laptop & save it & poss put on a disc & insert in my Medion laptop?

I also have a storage harddrive that I can store the driver on but I'm not sure if my laptop will find the driver without me being able to see the driver on the external/storage hard drive.


Thanks again Dave

[JJ 3000]

Tap F8 repeatedly as the computer is starting up before windows loads. This will take you to the advance startup options. Choose safe mode from that screen. What happens?

[Azzaboi]

If it works sometimes, but not others and is progressively getting worst...
Coloured lines, squares and strips, or a blank screen on startup is a bad sign on laptops normally due to the graphics cable. 

Next time it occur, tap gentle the back of the screen and see if it changes. It's it gets worst or better from leaning the monitor back or forwards, then it's a hardware issue which happens a lot with some laptops (the graphic cable flexing between the monitor and computer when open/closing the lid becomes weakened over time and can get damaged). If that's the case, your other 'software' issues might be cause by unsafe shutdowns. If you can't see what it's doing, could be still booting, etc, and you switch it off and on.

Check the video cable and the LCD screen are not mismatching/damaged - the screen is not getting all the data it needs, or getting them on the wrong pins.

[Chindia]

Hi Thanks for the replies, pressing F8 repeatedly doesnt do anything the screen just has green criss cross lines/patterns.

I still think maybe I need the driver first to get the graphcs working, I dont k what graphic card I have in my laptop other than its a Nvidea.

Can I download it from the Nvidea web site & save it to an external H/D or put it on a CD & then insert it in the CD drive on my Medion Laptop.?

Tapping the back of the screen doesnt change the pattern on the monitor or opening or closing the lid.

Thanks Dave

[Azzaboi]

Curious to known wheither it's hardware, the graphic cable between the lid, or a driver corruption issue.
If it's a virus, it would be a new one to me!

Green Criss Cross Patterns? Have you been toogling around s-video output?

You might be just changing the display mode.
On the keyboard check if your laptop has a 'Fn' function key.
If so check on the F5 key or one of those for something looking like a small screen.
Hold 'Fn' + tap the F5 or other key (it should rotate around screen modes).
Make sure the function key isn't stuck in or something.

This is great if you wanted to connect it to duel monitors and/or to the tv, etc, and toggle between them.
If you don't have them however it might throw it back to your screen. Looks confusing, but easy fix if it's just that.

If not - It's just kinda hard to install the drivers without seeing? They won't boot launch off a disc. Your'll have better hope with the Windows disc / restore to bring back the 'native' dummy drivers.

You will need to know the nVidia series at least for the drivers, your OS and wheither it's 32bit or 64bit to download the correct one from the website. They do come in larges packs - so one drivers could detect and work for multiple graphic cards (just make sure it's at least Vista 32bit and for a laptop in your case if you can't figure what one it is).

[Chindia]

Hi Thanks for your reply, no I havent messed with anything & Im always ver careful opening the lid on my lapop & handle it gently.

I'll try the F5 method just in case.

The operating system is a 32 bit vista home premium.

Ive decided to download a vista recovery software/CD which I'll save on my exeternal H/D & then see if I can burn to a CD/DVD to then run on my problem laptop.

Do you know how I can get all he files & info off the HD of my Medion Laptop (the one with the problem)?

Will the recovery disc wipe my info/data?
 Thanks Dave

Than

[Chindia]

Hi Togalling fn   & F5 doesn't do anything! Sorry.

Dave

[Azzaboi]

Your have to work out what one of the F?? keys will do it or look it up in the manual.
Maybe it's Fn + F8 (toggle screen) for your laptop - since your been using F8 a lot - they are normally all 'picture' labeled on the keys.

[jason2074]

IF your laptop has a port to hook an external monitor, test it. To rule out the blank screen issue on either hardware or software.

[Chindia]

Hi Im pretty sure its F5 which has the screen logo on the button.
Thanks Dave

[Azzaboi]

Ok, do you get anything normal at all on the screen when booting (or trying to boot from the Windows disc) or has it been fully corrupted?

[Chindia]

Hi No I dont ,

I don't think I can find a way to get the driver from Nvidia onto my problem laptop?

Thanks Dave

[Azzaboi]

Unless you can work blind and it's still actually functioning?
Your best bet would be to remote access the laptop - most techics have special tools and software to do this.
If it's hardware failure, there is probably not must you can do about it but send it in for repair.
Your've tried using a external monitor?

[johngetter]

Download this
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

Burn to dvd. boot it. Select repair. DONT INSTALL. choose your options.
there you go.

[Salmon Trout]

Link to torrents for Windows recovery disks. Is this legal?

[JJ 3000]

Link to torrents for Windows recovery disks. Is this legal?

Yes.

Dave, the fact that safe mode didn't produce any results is indicative of a hardware failure. Safe mode loads a generic video driver, so if the driver was the culprit, then safe mode would have worked. Have you tried connecting the laptop to an external monitor? Do you see anything at all on the screen when the computer is first starting up? Can you see the BIOS screen? If you are unsure how to get to BIOS look here:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000192.htm

[Chindia]

Hi thx for your replies I dont have an extrnal monitor to try & view the screen via this menthod I only have this very slow laptop!

I'll try BIOS & post later

thx again for help!

Dave

[Chindia]

Hi When I press start button the drive does whir for a few seconds, & some paint green lines across the screen I cant get into BIOS using any of the methods ie F1, F2 holding down key for stuck down key.

Thx Dave

[Chindia]

PROGRESS

I have found the Vista Recovery disc that came with my laptop, this is what I have done, but I am stuck now to progress!

1 Load recovery disc
2 Boot from cd/dvd
3 Windows is loading files
4 Install windows & choose languages
5 Choose ‘repair computer’
6 Searching for windows recovery options
Window showing

System Recovery   Partition Size   Local
Options         101338      (c:) Boot
Operating system Microsoft Windows Vista
7 Choose a recovery tool
Start up repair – click on restart
Windows error recovery
I then get a blank screen with a blinking arrow
DRIVERS?
I did not know what to choose if when says install drivers from the list

I also tried restore point but it asks to insert 
 rstrui.exe/offline:c:\windows
I don’t know where to install this
I can also start in safe mode with the CD inserted.

[Chindia]

I have carried out an windows memory diagnostic tool check on extended memory which didnt find any faults.

If I start insafe mode, with command prompt loads/shows windows drivers, I then get a blank screen with cursor/arrow blinking.

HELP REQUIRED TO FINISH REPAIR!!

[patio]

Vista Repair Install...

[johngetter]

Link to torrents for Windows recovery disks. Is this legal?

Not all Torrents are illegal.  there just a shared way to download things. Makes downloading faster.
This one is not I;;eagle because it just helps fix boot up problems. it does not include the actual windows!
Learn to read to website. I didn't know a popular website who provides popular,safe software, lets you download illegal things.
goodness! 

[johngetter]

Link to torrents for Windows recovery disks. Is this legal?

Quote
"If you are unable or unwilling to download these files via bittorrent, we have partnered with SystemDiscs.com to make direct download links to these ISO images available."

They wouldn't do that either if it was illegal

[johngetter]

Please stop judging me. Thats all im trying to say 

[patio]

Enough...

[Chindia]

Hi thx for replies Im still trying to sort this Im still often ending up with blank screen with a blinking cursos/arrow, after runing repair, I have been able to view the both hard-drives with the partition & total memory & amount of space taken up (when running repair disc).

I dont have a monitor, but I think I can connect my problem laptop to my flatscreen tv via an HDMI cable?

Thanks Dave

[JJ 3000]

Did you try system restore from the recovery disk?

[Chindia]

Hi Thanks for your reply, I tried the restore 1st & it says I think from memory, 'a restore is already running', I think Im close to getting this solved but probably need some step by step help.

I can also get into safe mode when booting with the recovery disc in the drive.

Im desperately trying to save my documents as I recently produced  PDF sales docs etc...

Again many thanks

Dave

[Chindia]

Hi Below is further info

DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR DETAILS
Name: Boot Status Test
Result: Completed succssfully
Root Cause Found: Error Code = 0x0
Boot status indicates that OS booted successfully

Thanks Again

dave

[Chindia]

Hi I also discovered today that my partner chose 64 bit operating system when she went to upgrade to windows 9...

[Salmon Trout]

my partner chose 64 bit operating system when she went to upgrade to windows 9

How so, since even Windows 8 is not scheduled for release until 2012?

[Chindia]

Hi maybe it was Windows 8 but a somekind of fake version?, Im just needing help to finish solving the problem!

Thanks Dave

[patio]

Anything called Windows8 is going to continue to give you issues....the BETA isn't even out yet.
What you most likely have is a butchered up pirate copy of Win7.

[Azzaboi]

A word of warning about installing Windows 8. There are fake versions floating around which are actually Win7 tweaked to say Windows 8 and have a trojan embedded into the core. There's a lot of fake copies around - it's simply tempting you to install a virus which you think protects you with security. This is the same trick malious coders do with 99% pirated anti-virus and OS software. Don't use them!

Windows 8 hasn't been released, there is no beta yet, and it hasn't been leaked... except for some planning documentations.

Windows 8 has been said to be more based on cloud network computing and it won't even look like Windows 7 or any other previous version OS.

Windows 8 will be released on 2012 (the predicted 'end of the world' date) and will run pretty much like Skynet network did in the movie 'Terminator', lol I love that movie. Astalavista baby! 

[johngetter]

A word of warning about installing Windows 8. There are fake versions floating around which are actually Win7 tweaked to say Windows 8 and have a trojan embedded into the core. There's a lot of fake copies around - it's simply tempting you to install a virus which you think protects you with security. This is the same trick malious coders do with 99% pirated anti-virus and OS software. Don't use them!

Windows 8 hasn't been released, there is no beta yet, and it hasn't been leaked... except for some planning documentations.

Windows 8 has been said to be more based on cloud network computing and it won't even look like Windows 7 or any other previous version OS.

Windows 8 will be released on 2012 (the predicted 'end of the world' date) and will run pretty much like Skynet network did in the movie 'Terminator', lol I love that movie. Astalavista baby! 

Haha windows 9. I heard that windows 7 was the project name. but it wasnt confirmed that it would be called that. and as we all know they confirmed it and we now know it as windows 7.

Also i head that windows 8 will be another codename (project).

[Chindia]

hi i was really hpoing someone would help me to finish solving this problem!
Is there any further help at all thanks Dave

[patio]

Here  is the Tutorial on hooking up the drive as a slave in a working Desktop machine to retrieve your data...

Other than that you need to get legit to solve your Windows issues.

[JJ 3000]

Dave, at this point I'm out of ideas. 
You say that you can get into safe mode with the disk in the drive. What I would suggest is, grabbing all of the data the you want to save from safe mode. You can put it on a disk or flash drive. Then I'd do a format and clean install from the disk that came with your laptop. This will delete everything, so make sure that you've got everything that you want to save backed up. You can only back up data, not programs. You will need the original install media to reinstall any programs.

After the install check device manager to make sure all of your drivers loaded. Then get all of your updates from Windows update.

[bazsmith]

Hi Dave, My name is Baz and I am new here. My laptop is doing exactly what yours was doing and I would like to know if you sorted it out and what you did. I have scoured so many forums to fix it.

[morganmostuff]

Help me please!    when i turn on my computer it is all white. it doesn't show anything. my volume was up and i heard the welcome screen turn on. i had it on about two hours before it turned on and it was working fine. i know its the screen itself but what do i do to fix it. i know the subject is black screen but it was the closest i could find for my answer   

[Allan]

Help me please!    when i turn on my computer it is all white. it doesn't show anything. my volume was up and i heard the welcome screen turn on. i had it on about two hours before it turned on and it was working fine. i know its the screen itself but what do i do to fix it. i know the subject is black screen but it was the closest i could find for my answer   

Please join the forum and start a new thread with your question.

[sph92173]

Hello anybody reading this thread ... I had the same issuse on a Dell Inspirion E 1505. I burned the recovery disc and followed every suggestion. I was even using an external monitor. NOTHING was working, I still could not boot into windows regularly, just in safe mode. THEN, I had an idea ...

I said I was using an external monitor - that monitor was DIGITAL!!! Apparently, Vista was performing a number of updates and the screen kept going to sleep. What I did was just plugged in an old CRM monitor and that's when I saw what was REALLY going on!!!

[thrillergirl96]

Tap F8 repeatedly as the computer is starting up before windows loads. This will take you to the advance startup options. Choose safe mode from that screen. What happens?

I have mainly the same problem. When I click to safe mode, it goes to a blank screen; As does all of the other options. Please Help!

[patio]

*** sigh *****