Black screen with only mouse cursor on it - Windows 7 instalation

UncleSam · 05 May 2013

I am trying to install Windows 7 on my Toshiba Satelite L300D laptop from USB boot. The laptop is running Windows Vista which crashed. I changed the boot order, to boot from USB first, but after showing "Windows is loading files" and "Starting Windows" screen, when the Welcome screen should appear (that one which shows when you want to install Windows 7) only mouse cursor pointing to the middle of black screen is shown. I can only move the cursor, but nothing else works.

This same problem appears when I want to boot Windows Vista, that is installed there, when it should show "Welcome screen" to log in, only black screen, which I described above appears. I have read that this should be BSOD (black screen of death). I have tried many options, that I have read about, but nothing helped. I know that Windows Vista OS, which is installed there apparently crashed, but I have no idea, why I cannot run the setup of new Windows 7 on it?

Thx for help!

gregrocker · 05 May 2013

Back up your files, unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into Win7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt.You are creating the partition here for the purpose of marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

If you're using WIn7 Upgrade version you'll need to leave the key blank during install, then afterwards do the quick Option 3 registry workaround given in Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version to activate Win7 upgrade version on a wiped HD where installer cannot see the prior OS.

UncleSam · 07 May 2013

So I made changes acording to what you told me (I think I did it), but only a few of them, cause I did not get to another point. I reseted BIOS to default config, saved it, changed boot order to boot from DVD first, set SATA controller to AHCI. Then inserted Windows 7 DVD. But everything is like it was before, I include a video in the link below, to show you what's exactly happening. I did not get to that point where I can press Shift + F10 to make command box to appear, I think.

Video:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wascko0dlx...6-18-48-51.mp4

UncleSam · 08 May 2013

So I finally solved my problem. I booted Ubuntu 12.04 from live USB and found out, that NTFS file system was corrupted. So I cleaned and deleted the partition of Windows Vista through Ubuntu command line. After that I rebooted laptop, changed the boot order to boot from DVD and thats it. Everything is working and I can now install Windows 7 on it.

gregrocker · 08 May 2013

Just saw this. The problem was that the disk needed Cleaning, which is why I gave you the Diskpart CLEAN command that solves many install blockages.

In the future you can also access the installer's Command Line via Repair My Computer on second screen when booting it.

Glad to hear you got it going. Stick with the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to complete and set up a perfect install.