Windows Vista black screen at login

keith555 · Posted: Sun 05/11/2008 6:37pm [Post #1]

Hello -- I turned on my laptop this morning and after seeing the Dell bootup screen, my screen goes completely black and only a mouse cursor remains on the screen. I tried the following:

- Press F8 and chose "Last Known Good Configuration
- Press F8 and chose "Repair Your Computer"
- Tried starting up in safe mode (get same black screen)
- Restarted computer normally several times

Nothing is working and this is something that I have not seen before. I dont think this is a result of malware but rather a missing startup file etc. Im not good enough with pc's to navigate my way around a command prompt to figure this out.

If I click Ctrl+Alt+Del from the black screen I have the following options:

-Lock this computer
-Switch user
-Log off
-Change a password
-Start Task Manager

In other words it seems this is not a total loss, its just not booting correctly.

Any advice as to how I can set my pc back using the Windows Restore or get this to make it to the Windows screen would very appreciated.

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zep516 · Posted: Mon 05/12/2008 11:34am [Post #2]

keith555,

Give us the model # of the laptop may be related to dell I know the 5150 has an issue w/ black screen but didn't see the solution yet..

Model #_________.

zep

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keith555 · Posted: Mon 05/12/2008 4:53pm [Post #3]

Thank you -- This is a brand new laptop so Im not sure whats going on. Here is the Model #:

PP22L

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zep516 · Posted: Mon 05/12/2008 5:17pm [Post #4]

Hi,

Thanks for model # however I can't find anything that stands out with it, do you have a warranty with it I would consider taking it back, you have already tried most everything that would have been suggested.

To me it sounds like a possible driver issue (Video) or a connection problem somewhere.

sorry this was all I could offer..

zep.

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keith555 · Posted: Mon 05/12/2008 8:45pm [Post #5]

In case anyone runs into this problem I found a solution, by accident:

Although I have tons of pictures and docs on the laptop I decided to bite the bullet and attempt to re-install Windows Vista. However when I inserted the "Dell Reinstallation DVD Windows Vista Home Premium 32BIT" disc and restarted, a new prompt appeared. This stated that there were problems with my computer booting and offered to "Repair" it. I chose this option and it ran for about 45 minutes and then restarted... And Windows was back. I've restarted the laptop 3 times and it is now booting fine.

Long story short: If you get the Windows Vista black screen of death on bootup, insert you reinstallation disk and see if it will work its magic.

I did a Google search and found at least 30 other people who have had this happen to their Windows Vista, so this is definitely a bug and unfortunately I dont know what causes it.... other than making the mistake of buying a computer installed with Vista. Smile

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