Blinking dash in corner of screen computer wont boot.

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  1. Posts : 8
    Florida
       #1

    Blinking dash in corner of screen computer wont boot.


    I have a dell pc with windows 7. The computer loads the dell logo, the screen is black with the blinking line in the corner. I have tried all solutions that I have come across, the fixboot, replacing config files and last resort, I did a fresh install of windows. After the fresh install of windows, it worked for a few days and now it is doing it again. What is my next option?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #2

    Hello Nicole and welcome to Seven Forums.

    Since you've already done a reinstall of Windows 7 and the problem has returned, I think I'd start looking at hardware issues. Perhaps a hard drive, RAM, motherboard, etc that's failing. One of the Forum experts has prepared a couple of troubleshooting guides that might help isolate the problem. I might start with the Memtest86 and HD Diagnostics test outlined in Steps 8 and 9, first tutorial.

    Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

    Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8
    Florida
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I have brought brand new memory in, ran a hdd diagnostic said no errors, now its running a full media scan
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8
    Florida
    Thread Starter
       #4

    When I put my hdd from my pc (both pcs are the same) my dad computer booted right up. If I reinstall windows on his pc like I said it works for a few days and then it dont.The hdd diagnostic came back with no errors. Could it still be the hdd?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 290
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #5

    Since you have changed the ram and the HD works on another computer, here is what I would try next.

    Try removing all USB devices like external drives and printers and mouse, keep your keyboard connected. See if your PC boots. If it fails, remove your CD/DVD drive and see if it boots.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8
    Florida
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I dont think I explained that correctly. We have the same type of pc. I took my Hdd(1) and put it into my dad pc and it booted up. I took his hdd(2) and put it in my pc and it did the blinking cursor. So I know its the hdd(2), but the diagnostic came back no errors.
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    It could also be a bad install. Did you run a full Disk Check on all partitions?

    Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map with listings, using the SNipping Tool in Start menu.

    How closely did you follow these best practices for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 especially drivers which are handled differently in Win7.

    Check for a newer BIOS update for the PC, if none reset the BIOS to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS . While in BIOS setup set SATA controller to AHCI.

    This time wipe the HD first using Diskpart Clean Command to wipe any corrupt code in the boot sector. This will assure everything has been done on the software side, so the problem must be hardware.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8
    Florida
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I reformatted the hdd and did a clean install. I will try Diskpart Clean Command. Do any of you know why it worked for a week after the clean install and then start the blinking cursor?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 290
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #9

    I'm really confused now. If neither hard drive boots when installed in your computer but work in your dad's computer, you must have a hardware issue.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 8
    Florida
    Thread Starter
       #10

    LOL sorry to confuse you. My hard drive works in both pcs. My dad hard drive doesnt work in either computer. I am thinking its the hard drive. So I am going to take my back up hard drive and give it to him and see if that works. If he doesnt have any problems the next week or so, although diagnostic said the hard drive had no errors I believe it is bad.
      My Computer


 
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