f8 key and black screen

i got the black screen on windows xp and aam unable to boot in safe mode my f8 key does not work at the time i was scanning using free superantispyware and hitman pro at the same time i dont want to lose anything on my computer

 

Greetings, jokocur.

Do you have a valid XP installation disk? If so, are you able to boot to that disk?

 

i do but i was hesitant to because i thought i would lose what i had on my computer

 

Exactly - thanks, Tim.

jokocur, this process is non-destructive - basically, it rebuilds the XP registry and any corrupted system files without affecting any of your personal data.

I'm in the process of writing a tutorial for this procedure on my own website, but for now, follow the steps listed here .

Let us know how it goes and if it solves or doesn't solve your issues. If you have any questions, just ask.

 

Thanks so much for trying to help i have xp sp3 will this non destructive process work with that also if i do get this running what specific anti malaware should i buy for real time attacks

 

The rebuild should work fine with XP SP3. If your disk is an earlier Service Pack version (1 or 2), you'll have to reinstall the later service pack(s) after the procedure unless you slipstream, but that's another story - I'd concentrate on getting Windows up and running first.

And, again - put the anti-malware concerns on a back burner, for now.

 

so i tried the xp reinstallation disc and it did not load i hit any key on the keyboard and the i got a message saying keyboard failure the only buttons that seem to work are f2 and f12

 

i can enter the setup screen with f2 but i dont know what to do from there

 

do i have to change the boot order in bios?

 

Yes - if you can enter the BIOS Setup, you should be able to access a page from which you can change your Boot Order. You'll want to change this order to "CD-ROM First", or something similar. Then, with the XP disk in the optical drive, reboot, and the machine should boot to the XP disk.

 

thanks so much im going to try that when i get home tonite and i will let you know what happens... thanks so much if i can get this thing started i will be so jacked

 

Jacked is good.

Please let us know how it goes - good luck!

 

If you have any problems with finding the Boot Order pages, the following pics might help:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=150359&d=1291298252

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=150360&d=1291298252

 

i read the whole article on the reboot and repair process will i lose pictures and music from this reinstall the article doesnt adress that

 

Negative - it's been my experience that this is a non-destructive rebuild.

However, if you wish to save your data before attempting the rebuild, you could download a Linux distro, burn it as an image, boot to that diak as a live environment, and transfer the files to a flash drive.

 

thanks so much

 

No problem - I really hope we can get you up and running.

 

so i got to the correct screen but the reinstallation screen will not boot i did get to the press any key to boot and the configuration screen but after that nothing happened

 

like after the setup screen nothing happened its just a blank screen it never booted to windows i tried both reinstalation dics in both drives

 

im starting to think my reinstalation cds are faulty they are from dell

 

Do you have a friend or co-worker who will let you borrow a Windows disk? Any version will do - not going to install anything, just verify that the machine will in fact boot to an optical disk.

Doesn't even have to be a Windows disk: any Linux image, diagnostics or rescue disks, as long as it's a bootable disk.

 

i will try to get one i have a windows 7 disc from this laptop im using will this work it from dell also if my machine will not boot is it time to call my computer tech... also thanks for all your time and help

 

Yes, the Win7 disk should work. All we're trying to determine is if the problem machine will boot to a CD/DVD.

To clarify: the XP disk that you are working with is from Microsoft, or from Dell? I was under the impression that this was a Microsoft XP installation disk - if these are Dell Recovery disks, there may be other procedures to follow.

 

yes they are from dell they are labeled reinstallationcd xp service pk2 but it is from dell the only disc i have with microsoft logo is microsoft office 2003 i looked in the box i have saved from the purchase and all the discs are vfrom dell

 

Copy.

Ok - we still need to confirm that the machine will boot to an optical. Is the Win7 disk a hologrammed Microsoft disk? If so, try to boot the problem machine to the disk, let us know what happens.

 

Hi guys,
Caliban, I just wanted to point out that jokocur was able to boot to the CD at least once but it hung on a screen. Jokocur can you tell us exactly what happens on the screen it stops at? Is it the black configuration screen here and does it just sit there?

And just to confirm, I believe DELL uses F12 for a one time Boot Menu to choose the boot device and it sounds like jokocur has the correct installation CD (it should be a full Windows installation CD which behaves like any other).

Trying another CD is certainly a good idea, I just wanted to make sure Caliban had seen that you did boot to CD at least once.

 

Pfft - completely missed that. Thanks, sach2.

jokocur, I apologize for sending you off on a wild goose chase about the ability to boot to an optical disk - obviously, you're able to. :-o

 

no none of the discs i have are hologramed the only one is the microsoft office 2003 that is hologramed

 

hi that screen doesnt sit ther it goes to black after that last screen shot you sent.. thanks so much for tryin to help

 

Caliban and I are trying to get together on ideas here.

A couple of things:
Please detach any other USB devices from the machine while trying to boot from the CD just to eliminate any conflicts.
Are you using a USB keyboard and did you only get the keyboard error you mentioned once?
Just to make sure you never see the third screen that is blue?

*Note to Caliban: Dell installation CD(s) are not hologrammed so this is normal.

 

ive never gotten to the blue screen ill disconnect all the other usb devices and try it again i get the keyboard failure with all the f keys except f2 and f12

 

i am using a usb keyboard

 

actually iv mistaken my mouse is usb keyboard not

 

just tried with all usb disconnected after the configuration screen the machine gets a little loud like its tryin to boot up and the motor keeps humming but no blue screen

 

do you think im at the end of this rope it will prob cost about 125.00 for my tech guyto fix just gets me pissed that i let this malaware or whatever do this much damage

 

I just want to rule out that there is an actual problem with the keyboard rather than poor wording on the error message. When you hit F12 and get a boot menu. Do the arrow keys allow you to move up and down the list? Or do the number keys and then <enter> button allow you to select an option?

 

yes it allows me to move i also used the keyboard to change the boot menu to boot to the cd first my hard drive seems okay too cause i checked it with the tech guy over the phone when i first got this problem thanks you guys are great

 

Well, I'm still trying to figure out what is going on here. You should be able to get to screen four pretty much automatically. It is a very simple program that is running off that CD. I'm leaning towards a memory problem or some other hardware problem keeping the program from running correctly.

****
Caliban and I both agree that you are very concerned about your data/images and want to keep them safe. My only concern with turning over to your tech person is that they often just want to do a clean install and won't safeguard your personal data. If you trust the person then you could perhaps suggest that they reinstall to a new hard drive since you are already investing in a repair cost. That would safeguard your data.

Another choice would be to download a Live Linux CD that you would boot from and it would give you a Windows looking desktop where you could access your personal files and copy them over to a USB thumb drive or write them to CD/DVD to backup a copy. You don't have to know anything about Linux to do this but will need to download a large file (140mb or 700mb) and then write the file to CD/DVD to create the boot disc.
This would give the advantage of letting us see if the PC will boot to a different CD and whether or not it can work with the hardware without problems. It is definitely an option to consider.

*******

I'm going to take a look around and see if a computer halting after the configuration screen is a common problem and what that could mean. I think there may still be options to pursue as far diagnosing your problem but we should try another CD to rule out that it is bad media (either downloading one and writing it to a blank CD or borrowing one from a friend/co-worker).

Is this a notebook or a desktop PC? What is the model number of your computer?

Edit: One quick thought is to disconnect the mouse and try again.

 

yes it allows me to move i also used the keyboard to change the boot menu to boot to the cd first my hard drive seems okay too cause i checked it with the tech guy over the phone when i first got this problem thanks you guys are great

 

my computer is a dell dimension 8400 seriesthe guy is pretty good he said he would save my files then reinstall them all i want is music and pictures i should have backed them up before myself do you think its time to call him

 

my computer is a dell dimension 8400 seriesthe guy is pretty good he said he would save my files then reinstall them all i want is music and pictures i should have backed them up before myself do you think its time to call him im willing to wait until you tell me its my only option

 

i have 2 reinstall cds that came with the computer how do i download one from the internet

 

I edited my last post try unplugging the USB mouse and see if you get further in setup. [Your keyboard is PS/2 round connector type so it is OK]