Black Sceen White Cursor

I have a very old but has been very reliable Sony Vaio Laptop until I ran an update with Microsoft...now I have a black screen with a white cursor.

It came with windows vista home premium 32 bit...my company teck guy upgraded my laptop so it corrosponded with theirs, which was about 4 yrs ago and I have no idea what windows it now has which is making it difficult to know what to do or purchase for repair.

I borrowered a Reinstallation DVD Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit, Dell, from a friend, which allows me access to the command prompt only, of which I am not that familiar. However, I was able to find...the following info:

1. Windows (TM) Code Name "Longhorn", Preinstalation Enviroment - Minwin.
2. Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Version 6.0 (Built 6002: service Pack 2. 2 System processor (2039 MB Memory) Multi Processor Kernal.

I have tried to repair via:
1. F8 System Restore- says I am running in a limited dignostic state and cannot locate a restore point.
2. Ran a Vaio dignostic F10- Hard Disk Verfy and repair - ran both C: and E: it says all is well.
3. Ran a Windows Memory - says all is well
4. Ran a chkdsk C: /f/r - claims to fixed and recovered orphaned files and have fixed problems.
5. Ran Scan which fixed some but unable to load drivers system root. Different types.
6.Ran system repair from prompt. Says all is well...but after restart yields same black screen.
7. I took it to a computer repair shop and they insulted the age of my computer and only offered to copy files from hard drive and sell me a new lap top that doesnt have Windows office or publisher.

Needless to say, I really can not afford to replace everything and would like to just repair my laptop is there anyone who has any ideas?

Thank you,
Allie

 

Can you post a screenshot?

 

I am trying...the thread is not allowing me to upload a photograph.

 

Click on Upload a File at the bottom right of your post, next to Post Reply.

 

Sorry...thread will not allow me to upload or choose a photo. It is basically a black screen with a white cursor. The cursor is movable.

 

I think you should repair Windows Vista using the CD you borrowed.
Here are the instructions - follow them word for word.
If you are prompted to enter a Product Key, you must enter the one assigned to the Windows Vista on your PC.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/

 

Okay...and thank you for responding. I will review and let you know how it goes. I am assuming that this process will not cause any loss in my files, correct?

 

Okay...and thank you for responding. I will review and let you know how it goes. I am assuming that this process will not cause any loss in my files, correct?

 

Also...I do not have Key. When my company upgraded ky laptop the did not include my key number. I used Magic Jelly Bean key finder and all it shows is the Windows TM - Longhorn - Pre-installation Enviroment. Is there somewhere else I might find key from command prompt?

 

I have repaired Windows XP & 7 without any loss of my files, so a Vista repair will be the same.
As for your Product Key, you'll only find it if Windows starts.

How are you getting to Command Prompt?

 

Disk allows me to go to system repair, system restore, command prompt, etc. I have tried repair and system restore. Repairs always say repaired but when I restart same black screen.

System restore...says I am in a limited dignostic state no restore point. There is a restore point...I have used it in the distant past.

But I see there is a way to Manually set a restore point...and a shadow restore...but only shows how to do from working screen...is there a way to one or both from command prompt?

 

You have not followed the instructions I posted a link to.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/

 

Yes...that is where I found the manual and shadow restore options. However they do not offer a command prompt option of which is my only method I am able to do any repairs.

 

Did you selected Repair your computer?

FYI Windows Vista is the biggest failure of all Windows OSs.

Sorry, it's almost 10:00PM over here, I'll be around for another 40 minutes.

 

Yes...I understand. I think that the answer may be in the manual and showdow system restore. The problem is executing from command prompt. I found instructions to this for windows 7 and 8....just not vista.

I will let you know what happens and thank you...had you not sent me the link I would not have known about the manual and shadow restore.

 

Hope you get it restored.
Will check in tomorrow.

 

Thank you!

 

Hi...I have spent hours trying to learn how to do a "Manual System Restore" from the command Prompt and below is all I have been able to find from the following web site: http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/create-system-restore-point-script-windows-10-8-7-vista-xp/.

Which says to enter the following:

Wmic.exe /Namespace:\\root\default Path SystemRestore Call CreateRestorePoint "My Restore Point", 100, 12.

I tried this but, I am not sure if I entered correctly. I am uncertain of how to enter the date and or if I am suppose to have a Namespace, path...etc.

Below is what I entered and was rejected. I tried uploading a screen shot, but the upload option below will not allow.

So...below is what is shown at the top, what I entered and then the response.

Microsoft Windows (Version 6.0.6000)

X:\Sources>cmd.exe
X:\Sources>C:\WINDOWS\system32>Wmic.exe /Namespace:\\root\default Path SystemRestore Call May 05,2016 "Manual Restore Point by WMIC", 100, 12

'C:\WINDOWS\system32' is not recognize as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Could anyone tell me how to enter this command properly and or offer any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

When you see X:\Sources> - change to the C: drive
Type in 'C:' and press enter
Then type in 'cd \windows\system32'
When you see C:\Windows\System32> - then type in your command.

 

Okay...thks. Do you know if I entered the date May 5, 2016, correct or should I use 05-05-2016. Just not sure. Thks

 

Corrected C:...entered command...looks like:
C:\Windows\System32>Wmic.exe /Namespace:\\root\default Path SystemRestore Call May 01, 2016 "Manual Restore Point by WMIC", 100, 12

RESPONSE: 'Wmic.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Do you know what I am doing incorrectly?

 

I tried 'wmic' while in Windows with it running and wmic works. I then tried it in a recovery mode -where you see the x:\sources and wmic is not recognized as a command. So I think it's not available with Windows offline. When you see the x:\ type in 'BootRec /?' . If BootRec is available it should show different options for trying to fix boot problems.

 

Some easy directions / information

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

Hope it helps.

 

I did BootRec
Response: Repairs critical disk structures. The following commands are supported:
/FixMBR
/FixBoot
/ScanOs
/RebuildBcd

I am not sure how to proceed in regards to the above...

 

Thanks...I will review Boot info.
In regards to Wmic..I think I entered the date incorrectly.

 

Will any of the downloads offered on this site help...according to SFC scan I am missing all kinds of drivers.

I tried to buy the Microsoft (DArT) DVD...but seems I have to have subscribed...of which I have not...so doesnt seem to be available.

I can only work in command Prompt...

 

Have you looked at your laptop's case? It should have a COA sticker showing your product key. Follow Eldon's post #6

 

If the product key sticker is not on the outside of the case, it could be under the battery.

 

Thanks..

I was having difficulty creating a Manual Restore point via Wmic.exe...command prompt would not recognize Wmic. However it does recognized Vassadmin.

Does anyone know how I can create a Manual Restore Point,
with a date, via the command prompt, via Vass admin or if it is possible?

Again, I am dealing with a black screen white cursor and am only able to work in command prompt. The system restore in command prompt swill not perform...claims, System Restore is in a limited diagnostic state and no restore point...

Thanks!

 

Here is all I find -

https://community.spiceworks.com/ho...restore-manually-when-windows-is-not-bootable

 

It's time few basics were established here. You started with this statement -

It still has Vista. That's what Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Version 6.0 Build 6002: service Pack 2 means. So the Dell Vista disc you have borrowed can be used for repairs though it may not contain certain drivers required by your Vaio, should it need them. However it does mean you have the necessary tools to go through with the Vista repair process you were linked to by Eldon in #6. Unfortunately it is not clear at all from the answers you have provided whether or not you have actually worked your way through this repair process, but your statement that you do not have the key suggests you have not. You have been told twice where to find the key but for some reason you have ignored those posts. Understand that there is absolutely nothing to be gained whatsoever from creating a new restore point with the machine in this state and you should forget all about that and concentrate on repairing it.

 

Thank you...and yes I still have Vista...and I disagree with your position. I wish I could afford to purchase all new equipment and software, but I simply cannot. Had I been able to, I would not be attempting a recovery.

Regardless, I stated in the frist post that I have gone through the basic repair process and that my Company upgraded my laptop from the orginal version of Vista Home Premium. Thus any key found on the bottom of the battery or laptop is not applicable. No longer witj organization.

I also stated that I used a key finder of which yeilded the following information: Windows (TM), Code Name: "Longhorn", Preinstallation Enviroment. No Key no shown.

I appericate any help offered...I have minimum experience with computers and what I have learned has been since I awoke to a black screen with a white cursor which was two weeks ago.

I have been attempting to create a Manual restore point of which I understand is possible...my system is claiming no restore...limited dignostic state... however all the instructions found thus far are based on Start menu not Command Prompt. Of which is my only usuable option. Comman is not recognizing WMIC...but does respond to Vssadmin of which is where the restore data is created.

Therefore, I am asking for help locating this Vss command...for it appears to be possible, just not simple.

And thank you Imandy for the link...I will review.

 

I'll have to leave you to it then. I'm still scratching my head as to how you have got the notion that creating a new system restore point will somehow help with this - it won't.

 

You still don't really know what O/S is on the hard disk drive and you had better be very careful or it won't ever work again!
What you need to do is to boot to the command prompt with a flash drive plugged in, find the flash drive, copy explorer.exe to the flash drive, shut down the PC, take the flash drive to a PC that works, right-click on the copied explorer.exe, and left-click properties to get its version.
Everything you have gotten so far is for the Vista CD you booted, not the O/S on the hard drive.
Apparently the hard drive is C.
To find the flash drive, do DIR D: and you'll get an error if its not the flash drive. Do CTRL-C to get back to a prompt and try DIR E: (etc.) It can be tedious to find the flash drive in Dos and will depend on the number of memory card reader slots in the laptop; but, it ought to appear between E and G.
Once you have found it, the Dos command would be COPY C:\Windows\Explorer.exe <flash-drive-letter>:
If Explorer is 6.0<yada>, its Vista. If its 6.1<yada>, its 7.
What is the version of Explorer.exe on the laptop?

 

Earthing : Thank you anyway...and I am not trying to create a new restore point...I am tying to access the old restore points via manual restore...because I cant access them any other way, that I have tried and or aware. Just saying.

Computer Dinosaur: Great...Thanks! I will check and answer your question.

 

Okay...DIR D: was accepted and listed the directory. However when I enter your command Copy C:\Windows\Explorer.exe <flash-drive-letter>
What am I doing wrong?

 

O...sorry after I entered command, response was The syntax of the command is incorrect.

 

As davis isn't around can I save you a little time? You need to substitute D: for <flash-drive-letter>

What is the version btw? Useful tip from davismccarn

 

COPY C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE D: <enter>
Things that are instructional or need to be changed are enclosed in <>

 

As an example, I followed the above instructions from within Windows 8.0 and it produced the attached:

 

Okay thanks..takes a bit to get back to command prompt...but will respond when I am able.

Earthling: sry..do not know what btw means.

 

BTW means By The Way

 

O...I have been looking at so many acronyms for this computer that I thought you were referring to something computer.

If you are asking what version of windows I have...all I know is Windows 6.0.6000.16386. According to Bious F1.

OS is what I have been trying to determine...I am having problems accesssing command prompt...hence why I have not responded to the last post.

 

That's Windows Vista but, I don't know if your IT Department upgraded your Home version to Pro or Ultimate. Regardless, you should be able to use a Vista install DVD to do repairs.

 

I think it is ultimate...and I should be able to do repairs and it claims to have repaired...but it does not...always black screen with white cursor.

sfc shows missing drivers that it could not repair. I downloaded a microsoft driver install/repair from a different computer...but requires NET.04 of which apperantly do not have.

 

Okay...finally. I entered the DIR D: Copy etc...and the response was: The system cannot find the file specified.

 

If you cannot repair Windows (it happens), your only option is to recover your personal files and do a fresh install. This means you'll have to buy a license. If you cannot afford to do so, your only option is to run a Linux distro.

 

The Vista Ultimate Product Key can be purchased for around $30 — $35 US. Google for it. You can get a Vista ISO from GetIntoPC.com. Google for Vista Ultimate ISO. Your device drivers you'll need to download from the Sony VIAO Support site.

Was Dir D the directory of your flash drive? On my Dell laptop, Dir G was the correct choice because my flash drive was assigned the letter G. So I entered Copy C:\Windows\Explorer.exe G: <Enter> to copy Windows Explorer to my flash drive.

A better way to get your files off of the Sony's internal drive might be to pull the drive, put it in a USB enclosure and connect the enclosure to a working PC. From previous posts, it seems the drive is accessible.

 

You are making a simple error entering the command - it has to be exact. Let's simplify it. Boot to the Vista DVD and get to a command prompt

Type C: <enter> The prompt should now change to C:\> if it wasn't C: already
Type cd Windows <enter> The prompt should now change to C:\Windows>
With your flash drive plugged in now enter copy explorer.exe D: (note the space before D:). Plug the flash drive into another working PC and find its version as advised earlier,

All of this is simply to prove that your hard disk does indeed contain a version of Vista and not something else. It won't solve your boot problem but davismccarn was correct in saying it had to be done first as item 2 in your first post related to the Vista DVD and not to your hard disk.

Finally, can you get to a C:\> prompt and accurately type bootrec /rebuildbcd. Try booting the system.

 

What's really a shame here is that we don't know if you have the skills (and/or patience) to remove the drive from the laptop and get it connected to a working PC. If you do, that is the easiest way to move forward as it would also simplify backing up your files.
Getting the version number of what's installed would be as simple as going to E:\Windows (for example) and right-clicking on EXPLORER.EXE.
There is also a utility called Event Log Explorer which lets you open the event logs on that drive to see why it thinks it can't boot.
http://eventlogxp.com/ (They have a free version for personal use)