The Dreaded Black Screen -- Dell Inspiron N7010

Kaktussoft said:

Thanks for the link, looks helpful. I completed step one, but step 2 is a problem. I see the screen below, but when I quickly press any key, nothing happens. I've tried rebooting and pressing other keys, still nothing.

That's very important information. Something stops the continuation of the process.
Only 1 internal disk is connected?

It's a laptop...correct? Is it easy to (temporary) disconnect the internal disk?

Yes, it's a laptop. Not really sure what an internal disk is.

Kaktussoft said:

The computershop made a backup of your files. How did they do it? With acronis, norton ghost, win7 backup?
Or just folder you can browse on a backup?

They just copied them and put them in folders in an external hard drive. I fear this is going to all go over my head. I've removed viruses and used safe mode many times before, but I fear this is gonna be much more complicated.

Try tapping the F12 key at boot, look for Dell Diagnostics and run them to check out the PC hardware. Report back findings.

Have you tried booting the DVD which Dell provided? Try that next.

First try it by tapping vigorously the F12 key when you start the PC, choose DVD drive to boot from menu. Do you get the prompt to Press any Key? Does it work this time.

Next boot into BIOS setup by tapping F2 key. Look for BIOS BOot order. Is DVD drive set first to boot, then HDD? If not set DVD drive first, then HDD, Save changes and Exit. Try booting DVD again. What happens?

Next go back to tutorial and write the latest ISO for your licensed version to flash stick using Steps 1 and 2. Boot stick using F12, under Removable, USB or HD"s - you may have to expand a category to find it.

Report back on all steps.

I tried pressing keys again before I ran Dell Diagnostics and got to a screen that said to choose an OS. I chose the only option: Windows Setup [EMSEnabled]. It then said Windows is Loading Files. After about 3 minutes, I got a screen that said Starting Windows.

I am now following intructions given here: Clean Install Windows 7

Looks promising....I will report back shortly with the results!

Question...would you suggest an "Upgrade" or a "Custom Installation?" The directions say custom, I was just curious what the difference was and which is best for my situation. I have backed-up my files at Best Buy.

That is the Dell F12 one-time BIOS Boot Menu. Did you see a listing for Dell Diagnostics? This is the reason I suggested you run it, because if it doesn't run then you can delete all partitions during reinstall. So go back and tap the F12 key as suggested to see if Diagnostics shows up on the menu and if so if it will run all the way through - very valuable to know before a reinstall.

If Diagnostics doesn't appear or won't run, then you can reboot into the installer again and choose Custom install, use the Drive Options shown in Step 7 and 8 to Delete all partitions (save the small OEM partition if Diagnostics does run) then create New as you wish to being the install.

Thanks! I'm running diagnostics. So far, no problems. Still have 20 minutes to go. So if I have no issues with diagnostics, which option would I select?

Have you studied the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 so you understand the the methods and tools to get a perfect reinstall?

If so boot the Dell Reinstallation DVD, choose Custom Install, then delete all partitions except the OEM Diagnosics partition, create New partitions in the space as shown in Steps 7 and 8 of Clean Install Windows 7 illustrated steps, format the new partition(s) only, then click Next to install.

Pay close attention to how drivers are handled in Win7 as it is different than XP. The closer you stick to the steps in the Clean Reinstall tutorial, the better install you will have and keep.