Black screen during 7 startup....restart with BSOD in Safe Mode

Hello everyone,

I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows 7 Home 64-bit. Here's the problem, that just started out of the blue: During startup, I get the Dell screen and the Windows logo. It gets to the point where I see the cursor (just before it should get to the logon screen), and the screen goes black. The laptop is still on, but nothing shows up.

Also.....if I try to enter Safe Mode, I can get to the logon screen. I can either click on one of the user icons and get into Windows, or I can leave it at the logon screen.....either way, the computer shows a BSOD death and then restarts. The BSOD shows a 0x0000001E code.

I haven't done too much troubleshooting, but here's what I have done: Ran startup repair from the Win 7 DVD. Used that DVD to get to Command Prompt and ran CHKDSK. If it's not a hardware issue, I'm hoping not to install from scratch or restore to an earlier date. There are some very recent files that would be gone that I really need! I've read some things about editing 7's equivalent of boot.ini, but have no idea if that's the fix.

Anyway.....thanks so much for taking the time read this. I look forward to hearing from you. If you need any more info, please let me know.

Thanks!! :)

Hi Usasma,

Thanks so much for your reply. Ok......here's what I tried and where things stand so far:

-- I ran the repair three times and it did not work.
-- I ran the three "bootrec" commands. On restart, I got the Dell screen and then the Windows screen came up for about two seconds. I then got a BSOD for a fraction of a second and then the computer restarted. It goes by so fast, I can't make out any codes or file names.
-- On that restart, it asks if I want to go into repair. I enter repair and it then asks if I want to restore. ( I didn't realize a restore would preserve files, but not programs...I could always reinstall a program!). I chose to restore. That was running for about 15 minutes. After it restarted, the same thing happens (quick BSOD then restart).
-- I tried going into Safe Mode, but it restarts on its own, also.

Now, I think I'll try getting the data off (or going in with a Linux/Ultimate Boot CD). If I'm able to get in with a CD, what would you suggest.....go into MSCONFIG and start deselecting start items?

Again.....thank so much for your time with this!!

Hello!

Following your instructions, I was able to see the BSOD. There was no file name or symbolic name.....just a stop message. Here's what the entire BSOD said:

"A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run CHKDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer.

*** STOP: 0x0000007B (0xFFFFF880009A9928, 0xFFFFFFFFC000000D, 0x0000000000000000, 0x0000000000000000)"


Again....thank you for your help. I look forward to your response!

Hello usamsa,

I went out and bought an adapter to turn my laptop HD into an external HD, and I plugged it into another computer. I was able to see all my laptop files. I copied almost everything from the two user profiles!! Since I had that stuff copied, I reinstalled Windows 7 on my laptop, and things are going well (knock on wood!).

I truly appreciate your time and efforts in this matter. Thanks again for all your help!

Bernie

Hello usamsa,

Sorry for the late response. Just wanted to let you know that I have not had time to run that HD test, but I plan on doing it soon. I'll let you know the results!

Thanks again!
Bernie