Unable to start - black screen or empty blue screen w cursor??

[QUOTE=gregrocker;2897427]Reboot into Lenovo Thinkvantage Button to access BIOS setup. Do you see settings for CSM, Legacy BIOS or boot, Secure Boot on any tab?

Look for Reset to Defaults, choose this and save.

1) Yes, reset BIOS to defaults last week.

You need to burn a Windows 7 DVD or write to 4+ gb flash stick using the ISO and tool from Step 6 of Failure to Start tutorial. Use this to rescue any files, run Startup Repair and if necessary System Restore from the Repair choice on second screen. If any of these will run then proceed with the steps to wipe the HD to reinstall given in Overcoming Installation Failures tutorial below pic below.

2) Win 7DVD on USB did not run; hung up just like computer did. Startup repair, same thing. When I hit repair, it just hangs there.

3) yes I did try several ways to make bootable USB so I do not think it is the stick/method.

Ask back any questions. Someone will try to help as I am traveling now.[/QUOT2)E]

What should I do at this point?

One thing I should say, HDD choice in BIOS is either ACHI or 'compatible' no SATA

Try both settings.

Compatible makes me think you may have an EFI BIOS? Are there any UEFI, EFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS, Legacy Boot on any tabs in the BIOS setup, or are there EFI choices in the BIOS boot order? This is important because it requires a special tool to make a bootable USB for Flash stick installs to UEFI BIOS. Plus if it's UEFI then it can't be changed and expect to boot the same install.

You may be better off if you can't do any of the repairs to rescue your files to do a reinstall, but you need to get the installer to boot and run first. Have you tried a disk? What do you mean "7 DVD on USB did not run?" You cannot copy your DVD to flash stick to make it run. You need to start with a fresh ISO for your licensed version and burn to disk or write to flash stick using the special tool provided in the Step 6 of tutorial. Did you do this? You said you've tried several tools to write ISO to stick, but did you use a fresh ISO confirmed to have completed download, and which exact tools did you use?

Likewise you said you tried Seatools written to flash stick. What tool was used to write it to stick? Have you tried another stick? You said also you tried Defender, so what tool did you use to write it? One of thse should boot and run if they are being written correctly using the tool prescribed for each, and if they are being chosen by the stick's name from Boot Menu. If not then try DVD or CD's again. Try setting the DVD drive first to boot in BIOS setup, then if that fails, try setting HD first to boot and use one Time Boot Menu key to boot the stick or DVD.

Do you have a friend who is more computer adept who might help you? This is worth finding since it saves hundreds of dollars taking it to a shop if you can't get anything to work yourself. But we will not give up helping you if you keep trying.

Not so serious !!! - Open Microsoft AutoRuns, uncheck Hide Windows Entries & Microsoft entries & check that is all (even not necessary) in Winlogon, LogOn and Boot execute are CHECKED !!! - Windows needs most of them !!! - No need and repair !!!