Black Screen with flashing curser

When I boot my laptop I get a flashing curser on the upper left hand corner and a black screen. The OS is XP Pro with SP3, plus dual boot with Linux. Booting with Bart PE shows the folders are intact so I suspect I have a MBR problem. I can't get into safe mode and I want to recover the data and not re-install my numerous apps so reformatting is not an option. The only options I have during POST is F2 and F12 for Bios setup and which drive I can boot from. I also tried setting a restore point manually and windows repair, neither of which made a difference. Boot.ini file is fine and hardware diags show no problems.

I don't want to run fixmbr as it is presently a dual boot although I don't need Linux. If anyone has a similar experience and was able to successfully get the drive back to normal I would be grateful if you can share your experience.

 

Identical situation:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=148300

 

I don't see the connection, my system problem occurs at bootup after the POST with a black screen and curser, no error codes. I'm leaning towards MBR or NTLDR issues. I'm open to trying anything and there are numerous different solutions listed. Can you explain a bit?

 

If your problem occurs after POST has been successfully completed, then I would agree that issues with the mbr/partition tables would be at the top of my list. The bios is trying to pass the sequence on so that the system can boot but it cannot (nor in safe mode but you can boot from a BartsPE cd).

However, external USB drives and printers with slots for memory cards can also cause the boot sequence to halt.

Question: If you dual boot Linux, can you successfully boot into Linux

Three ways to go from here.

1. Use fixmbr
2. Use MBRWork
3. Use BiNG
4. Image the partition, delete the original and re-image back

I'll explain quickly

MBRWork is a prog which will save your mbr/partition tables. It can also reset them ie to zero.

So before doing anything use MBRWork to save the current mbr/partition table. Also image the relevant partitions.

Then follow instructions here

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=185922&highlight=Bing

Alternatively, if you image the offending XP partition, then delete it and and re-image it back, the likelyhood is that the mbr/partition table will be correctly re-instated/rebuilt.

I would firstly use BiNG though and make sure that the XP partition has undelete as an option.

This issue should be easy enough to cure.

Good Luck

 

This solution looks like it will work, I'm looking forward to applying it I won't be able to do so till tomorrow. However I wanted to answer your Linux question. It has been a while since I booted natively up with Linux. For what it's worth I can boot up with a Linux CD just as if I was using BartPE and I can see all the folders. Hope that helps, and I hope I have good news to give soon.

 

Well booting from a Linux Live cd presents no new information as it is merely just another BartPE, UBCD alternative boot. But I am sure that you knew that already.

Another thought just crossed my somewhat slow mind. If you have Linux installed, then you probably have Grub as the bootloader? ie when you boot your system, then Grub appears and asks which partition you want to boot into.

In your opening post you did not mention the Grub screen so I am presuming that the boot sequence stops before that. Please confirm.

I do dual boot with Linux myself on pcs (have Grub as bootloader) but I ain't that great on it, but let me know how you fare as this may possibly be a Grub issue. I am reasonably certain from what you have said that it is not, but hey funnier things have happened with pcs.

Good Luck

 

You got it risk_reversal. I am confirming that it stops before I get the two OS choices that is normally displayed. When I installed Ubuntu Linux ages ago it was a Wubi install, no grub option was offered. Never had a problem with it. (FYI readers is that Wubi installs Linux just like any other Windows app so there is no Linux partition).

I'll tell you what I suspect was the root cause, I was looking at photos at fumaga.com before the problem started, I thought that was the best site for funny photos I have ever seen, not as funny now. I have MS essentials antivirus and Zone Alarm plus some other security software. Until I scan the drive, I am assuming there was malware hidden in one of the images.

 

Well not that I am an expert in this but for a virus / malware to have done this it must have been one that attacked the mbr (if corrupt mbrs is the cause of your current woes).

In which case go here

http://www.avira.com/en/support/support_downloads.html

and download the Avira rescue cd (.iso) the one with the cd icon. This will create a boot disc with Avira's latest definitions which will scan your pc. This .iso runs from Linux code.

Sometimes this boot disc does have issues in running but it can run from a Linux Live cd. So you boot with Linux live cd and then place the Avira disc and run the scan.

Good Luck

PS was looking at this Wubi and it looks like you install it in windows, correct? Perhaps a better way maybe to install a virtual machine on your xp install. Then you could run anything you want, Linux or another windows o/s say XP where you could go on the net and that way if any virus is caught no harm done.

 

Thanks, the question was sitting in the back of my mind, what if the cause was an MBR affecting virus and the mbrfix gets ruined and puts me back at square one or worse? I'll run the antivirus first just in case.

 

Ran Avira from bootup and no findings, just some warnings from manual restore points I set on earlier attempt.

Ran Bing, tried to image the drive but it failed at the end. Don't know why, but it stated that it was successful. I'm using an external USB drive for storing the image.

Can't run MBRwork because I couldn't get it to boot up. Can you give me a hint here?

Deleted and undeleted the MBR using BING, stated it was successful, but got the same black screen. I also tried Partition Wizard's MBR repair and it stated it was successful, but still the same black screen upon bootup from the HD shows up.

I'm tempted to try the fixmbr route, but I still have that wubi install of Linux and that is a grey area on how that would work. The good news is my folders are still fine.

So, if I can get a successful image to work I can try to delete the partition and restore it, but I'm at a standstill until I can store the image successfully.

 

From what you have said, it sounds very weird. Usually imaging / copying partition problems are associated with HD probs be they logical or physical.

What I would suggest is as follow:

1. Make sure that all your data has been copied safely to an external hd (via Linux Live CD route).

Then try the following first

1. Run the manufacturer's diagnostics prog on the HD

2. Try running the repair utility from a BartPE or UBCD at the prompt use CHKDSK /R

3. Boot with a Linux Live cd and go to GParted. If you right click the partition there will be an option to repair (or something like that)

Then try to boot again. Lets make sure especially as regards the HD that there are no issues with it and that the first sector of the HDD is ok. Points 2 and 3, I am not too hopeful on but does not take long.

As regards BiNG. When you accessed BiNG (in the partition section) did you see you partition listed or not. If it was not listed I take it that when you say

You used the Undelete button on the right which was live.

Try to image the partition using Images for Dos (same stable as BiNG) you can download a trial & burn as an iso. It will boot to a very spartan interface.

As to MBRWork, the prog that you downloaded is not bootable (its just the .exe) so you will need to boot to a dos prompt first either with a boot floppy ie win98se boot floppy or other similar. When the dos floppy has booted, take it out and put the MBRWork floppy in. Then type dir and (i think) at the prompt type mbrwork.exe. The dir command will show you exactly.

If you are going to create a boot cd, then same process make the cd bootable using same boot floppy and copy MBRWork onto the cd. With the boot cd, saving the MBR is going to be difficult and you will only just zero them. Similarly, with the boot cd, when it has booted, you will also have to type mbrwork.exe at the prompt after it boots.

Good Luck

 

EDIT: to save you time and aggro with Images for Dos

when you boot selected >Create
select BIOS HD, then select HD (and partition)
then it will ask where to save
select USB2
connect USB external and it will detect
then select the partition on the external and
when it asks where to save
type \IMAGE\IMAGE_NAME.IMG

so firstly create a folder on you external ie IMAGE or whatever you want to call it (no more than 8 characters long and don't use spaces) and same thing for image name ie laptop don't forget the .img so \IMAGE\LAPTOP.IMG

select file size (i go with 2gb max files), byte for byte comparison (Y if offered) and select Y to Validate.

Good Luck

 

OK, I tried all suggestions:

Images for Dos would go through the entire backup process and at the end of the validation process a red splash screen pops up and says it couldn't read the drive. I followed the instructions as given and I got the same result twice.

I ran the mfr. system diagnostic, no failures.
Repair utility on Bart, no problems found.
Booted up with Linux, no problems, gparted worked but did not find anything.
Note: Bing also shows the partition.
My files are still intact.
I have the same functions in Mbrworks as I do in bing.

With bing, what should I be looking for to address the question "Lets make sure especially as regards the HD that there are no issues with it and that the first sector of the HDD is ok"

Other ideas are appreciated.

 

What make and model is the HD & what utility did you use to check for HD errors?

I suspect that the drive is detected correctly in the bios?

At this stage and given that IforD gave 'read drive error message', I am now leaning towards some type of HD problem. I know, you can use a Linux Live CD and access the data files but on some area of the HD there must be a bad sector(s) which from the error message received IforD (& other copy utilities) cannot read. Some sector will have read errors other write errors. Hence, my questions re HD utility used.

Good Luck

 

I'm with you on that point. The drive is a WD Scorpio, I was able to use Dell's diagnostics (no probs found) but using WD download for CD boot and diags was a problem. It won't boot from that CD.

 

More notes: The WD diag CD boots another system and works there, so WD support wants me to replace the drive.

 

More info: Knowing that this drive could be a lost cause, I tried running fixboot to no avail then running fixmbr, also no change. I also recreated my ntldr and ntdetect.com files.

The interesting thing is that not only are my files still there, but my partitions are not changed. I would think that running fixboot and fixmbr would affect the data and partitions?

 

The 1st that I would do if you have not done that already is copy the data off the drive.

The Dell diagnostics is a total waste of time in IMO. If the WD HD diagnostics software could not boot on the faulty laptop then this moves the HD to the top of my suspects list with some form of cluster(s) error or other issue.

Bearing in mind the results of the WD attempted diagnostics, fixboot (etc) would not have done anything to solve or affect this issue.

Not an expert but the fixmbr command would have attempted to just get the correct parameters to the partition ie re-write the mbr / partition table that's all. It would have just re-defined the playing area which contains the info, if you see what I mean.

At this stage about the only thing left for me to suggest is trying to run the Seagate manufacturer's HD diagnostics test (Seatools). Seatools can be used for non-Seagate products so I would give that a try.

Otherwise, in your shoes my thinking would be that the drive possibly had too many errors and that the drive's software for marking bad clusters was no longer able to cope or something along those lines.

Not sure what else to suggest.

Good Luck

 

I ran the Sea Tools short and long tests and both passed. What else can there be?

 

Well if Seatools found no errors on the drive, try this. BEFORE you do what I am about to suggest, make sure all valuable data is off the HD

Boot with MBRWork. There will be an option to zero the mbr. Select that option. If possible try to save the mbr (I usually use a floppy to run it and save but it probably is possible to save to the HD or usb drive - never tried this)

Now boot with BiNG. You will now notice that you partition is no longer listed.

Now try the 'Undelete' option in BiNG. Before closing BiNG, make sure that the 'Active' flag is set to that partition.

Try that and let me know how you fare.

There is also another prog (whose name escapes me at the moment) that I have used and that is more effective at dealing with partition issue. I will look it up if MBRWork and BiNG fail.

Seriously odd that Seatools finds nothing but Images for Dos has copy error. Never run across that before.

Good Luck

 

Used UBCD v5.02 to run Mbrwork on it's self created boot cd, I zeroed the mbr, rebooted with Bing and I set the active flag and undeleted it. I still get the black screen with flashing cursor upon bootup.

 

The drive is being correctly detected by the bios? I know I asked but you never confirmed this.

Well if this were my pc, at this stage I would take the drive out and connect it via usb adapter to another pc, just to check that the drive was being correctly picked up (assuming bios detecting HD correctly in laptop) .

Lets recap:

At the end of the day and as you are probably aware, the boot sequence should go like this. Bios completes Post sequence and once successful looks for a device to boot from. If no boot media found prior to hd, it will then look to boot from the hard drive and will look at the mbr/partition table which I believe are contained in the 1st sector ie 512bytes. So we know/reasonably certain (in theory at least) that the error is happening at that point.

As I mentioned before there are instances where some usb devices, namely external HDD or printers which have usb ports on them can halt that sequence and lead to a blank screen or flashing cursor.

Now although Seatools found no errors, the WD utility could not run and amongst other cloning progs used, Images for Dos was giving error messages when trying to copy the partition. During all that time you can boot from cd and Linux Live cd and access the partition normally.

You tried zeroing the mbr and undeleting the partition via BiNG (which usually cures) but this failed to work also.

Have I summed up everything pretty much correctly.

Apart from saying that in someway the drive is toast which is not a statement I am comfortable in making, I am stumped and awaiting inspiration from the gods.

 

I'm puzzled too, I've repaired drives before but this one is extremely uncooperative. By the way, the BIOS recognizes the drive. I already tried to put the drive in a USB case and when I connected it to another PC it would just make a ticking sound every few seconds and wouldn't be recognized. My next step is I will re-run the Dell hardware diags on the system later today. If that comes clean I'll either just format and reinstall everything or replace it.

 

Hmmm does point another accusing finger at the HD being the culprit as ticking is never good. I am guessing that you did not hear any ticking when the drive was in the laptop. Maybe the HD bearings are overheating causing the issue.

Perhaps that is the best way forwards. I would try format and re-install just to see what happens.

Good Luck

 

I installed an old 40GB drive and WinXP installed perfectly and boots up with no problems. I also installed the problem drive on a USB box and there were no ticking sounds and I was able to view it just fine. Apparantly the other system or USB port I tried this on needs updates.

Anyway, I believe that the drive either had an unexplainable glitch, a virus or is actually defective. Any further thoughts by anyone before we wrap this one up?

 

I would tend to discount any kind of mbr virus as zeroing the HD's mbr with MBRWork would/should have gotten rid of anything.

The only other thing to try is to install XP on the problematic drive but prior to formatting it, zero fill it so that it is clean. Perhaps that will make the drive operable again.

Good Luck

 

This was a lengthy thread. I usually don't post on forums unless it's a very challenging problem, and this certainly qualifies. I gave up on recovering the drive so I'm starting over with a fresh install but many thanks for the tips and all your help.

 

Follow up: It's been a couple of weeks since I wiped the drive with zeroes, reformatted and reinstalled the OS and apps. Happily everything is working fine and I've not had to replace the drive. I ran testing software from the maker, Western Digital and again it came out fine. I also ran hardware diags from Dell and not a single problem was found, (and I verified that the drive size is fully supported by Dell). The only explanation is that it was either a very unique glitch (unlikely) or there was a virus that just was not diagnosed and that prevented the MBR and partition table from being repaired. Again thanks to everyone for their suggestions and sticking with me on this.