Dreaded black screen on boot

[keithbarr]

Hi everyone, looking for some advice on how to get an oldish homebuilt desktop pc working.

I didn't build it so I dont know if its setup right.

 

Ok i'll try to make this as easy for you to understand as possible as i'm not exactly good with the internals of pc's.

 

A few months ago after it working one day I powered up like normal and got a black screen, I get the motherboard logo (msi core cell) but then I get the next screen with scan devices, please wait... no disk attached, and under that press <shift-tab> to display boot option menu.

 

If i remove the cmos battery then I get the bios screen (I think) which gives me the option of F1 (run setup) or F2 (load default values and continue). It does also say CMOS/GPNV checksum bad so I replaced the cmos battery. In F1 i've tried various different things but when I save and exit it starts to boot and takes me to a screen with press <shift-tab> to display boot option menu.

 

I can't boot from the windows cd, I've tried checking for bulging capacitors and broken cables etc but everything looks ok to me. I would like to get it up and running as it wasnt a bad machine really.

 

These is the screens I get

 

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606.vB5-legacyid=1293[/ATTACH]

 

Any ideas?

Thanks

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Thanks for the attachments - they certainly help.

 

Bad Checksum Error - This was caused because you had no CMOS battery or a dead CMOS battery.

I assume you are not getting it now ?

 

Your Hard Drive is being detected in the BIOS but "No Disk Attached" implies that there is nothing to boot from.

 

I can't boot from the windows cd

It could be that the CDROM is not the first Boot Device in the BIOS.

 

Let's take a look at that first.

Switch on and Press F1 to enter Setup when prompted.

Look for "Boot Sequence" "Boot Order" or similar. ( use the arrow keys ).

You will be prompted on screen on how to move the boot devices - usually + / - keys.

 

F10 ( usually ) to save and Exit.

 

==============

 

Even with the CDROM as the first boot device I doubt that you will be able to do a Repair Installation ( XP ) or re-install as the hard Disk is not being "seen".

==============

 

I suggest that you take the hard drive out and connect it to another system.

If the drive can be "seen" by the other system we can run some diagnostics on it and possibly retreive the stored data.

 

Let me know if you are prepared to have a go at this - it is relatively easy.

[keithbarr]

Hi and thanks for the reply kenB. I am still getting the bad checksum error even with the new battery. I can only access the bios screen when I take the battery out then put it back in. I can't connect the hard drive to another system as we only have laptops since this desktop pc packed in but I'm more than willing to try anything you suggest. I can post some other images of the different screens if you need any more info. It's vista home basic that it's running.

Thanks

[Jelly Bean]

The error can mean:

1. Bad or old CMOS battery.
   
2. BIOS update.
   
3. Disconnecting power from computer without shutting down computer
   

Removing the BIOS battery resets the BIOS...

You need to enter BIOS and check all values are correct such as time and date...

 

If everything is corrrect in BIOS try loading defaults in BIOS save and exit....

 

 

 

If the computer was had the power disconnected while it was still running it is possible this could cause the CMOS to become corrupt. Ensure that the computer is ready to be shut off before turning off the computer. If you have a laptop computer make sure the battery is charged before disconnecting the power connection.

 

Pressing the off button to shut down a laptop can cause corruption to the BIOS and BIOS battery....

 

Did you install a brand new lithium battery or use one from another computer?

 

Cables or an external case can be purchased to turn the internal hard drive to an USB external hard drive....

[keithbarr]

Hi jelly bean, the CMOS battery was a brand new one, infact I tried two new ones. The pc was shut down the proper way and there was only me who used it. I have also tried loading the defaults and saving but with no joy. It won't work full stop. If the CMOS is corrupt, can it be repaired or would I need to buy a new mobo?

[KenB]

Hi,

I can't connect the hard drive to another system as we only have laptops

It is possible.

Take the hard drive out of the problem system.

Take a look at the connections.

http://kenspchelp.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=75

You need to know if you have a SATA or IDE drive. ( according to the screen-shot it is IDE )

IDE will have a broad grey cable.

 

Then get hold of a 3.5 inch ( desktop ) Hard Drive Enclosure. ( Caddy )

3.5 inch IDE enclosure

 

or

 

Hard Drive to USB Adapter

Please be aware - if you buy an enclosure ( caddy ) you MUST have the correct type for your hard drive - they are not universal.

This is why I asked you to check.

 

Once you have the drive connected up to one of your laptops we can then see if it is possible to get your data off it and to run some tests on the drive.

[keithbarr]

Hi, thanks guys for the help, before I try your options kenB I have managed to boot from cd using the windows vista cd.

I select the language etc and get to the screen with install now in the centre, what to know before installing windows and repair your computer.

If I select repair I get system recovery options and a box saying o/s windows vista 78164mb c: location disk

The next screen gives me six options, startup repair, system restore, windows complete pc restore, memory diagnostic tool and command prompt. I have tried system restore and selected an earlier point but when it boots I get the same blank screen. Am I doing something wrong? Or will none of these options work in my case?

[KenB]

Hi Keith

 

Try the Startup Repair option.

The other options are unlikely to help at this point.

 

Startup repair will take a look at the Master Boot Record and the Master File Table and if there is a problem there - a repair may solve your problem.

[keithbarr]

Tried the startup repair like you said and it wouldnt work so I tried the install option in the centre of the screen but didn't enter the validation code. I also selected previously the memory diagnostic option. When it rebooted I got the normal black screen with press press <shift + tab> then it started the memory diagnostic scan.

 

After that completed it started up with the windows loading bar and began to load with a screen saying preparing for first time installation. That was followed by the installing windows window saying completing installation.

 

Next it loaded windows somehow. I put all my details in and it's working. The problem now is will it still work when I turn it off. During installation it said I could retrieve my old data by looking for a file called old windows.

I will post back with the expected next problems. In the meantime I will see if I can find any of my old data.

[KenB]

Progress :)

 

I would certainly backup any data ( do not backup onto the same hard drive ) that you need - if you can.

 

Keep us informed.

[keithbarr]

A little progress update. The system now boots, I still get the black screen with press <shift + tab> to display boot option and it still says no disk attached but after a couple of seconds it goes to the black screen and seconds later it loads windows. Strange !!

 

The issues now are it now asks me for my windows product key and when I put it in it says it has expired. That leaves me with the option to use in reduced functionality mode. I can get around that issue temporarily and can now access all features including all my own files.

I also can't find the driver cd for my USB wireless adapter so can't access the Internet wirelessly. Is there a program or somewhere that I can get the drivers for it. I don't know the make of it as I got it from eBay a few years back. I seem to remember a program installed on my old pc that would find drivers for you.

[KenB]

Hi Keith

but didn't enter the validation code.

If you were prompted for the code you must have re-installed - is this correct ?

 

now are it now asks me for my windows product key ........Reduced Functionality Mode

Have you extended to 30 day period ?

You must still validate.

 

See Here

Is this a legal copy of Windows ( sorry - I have to ask )

[keithbarr]

Hi, it is a genuine copy and yes I did reinstall. I have been on to Microsoft and they have verified that my copy is genuine but he was unable to help me. He gave me another number to contact. He reckons these are the only ones who can help me. If that doesn't work I'll have to upgrade or buy a new key I guess.

I still don't know why it wouldn't work though.

[KenB]

If MS have confirmed that your Product Key is genuine then they should give you a new Key if your original will not Verify.

 

Do not be put off. Insist that you are given a new Key as their software is rejecting your genuine one.

 

They have replaced Product Keys in the past - INSIST :)