Installation limbo - black screen with pointer

miketvsubs · 16 Feb 2014

Windows7 sp1 OEM
It's a madhouse.

I got a virus, & so I used that as an excuse to clean out the PC, get it organized & start fresh. So I went to this AAAAWWWFUL 34-part guide on about.com to learn how to clean out my harddrive & reinstall windows. It basically said "Stick the disk in & follow the directions, but keep reading this tutorial for important details that will mysteriously never be revealed". (Which I did.)

I deleted the partitions (one main drive & then the special one that's put aside for the system). The installation process began, the computer restarted a couple of times, & that was about it. Now I just get this black screen with a mouse pointer. I let that go on for about half an hour before I suspected it wasn't normal & restarted the process.

The thing is, I still get the Windows7 startup screen at the beginning. It's like it halfway installed. But there's nothing to work with aside from a black screen & a mouse pointer. I could really use some help, here.....

UPDATE
now I'm getting the Windows Error Recovery screen...the one that says it didn't shut down properly & asks if I'd like to start normally, or in safe mode, etc. Whatever I choose, I get the black screen & pointer.

UPDATE
I tried starting in SafeMode today, & it got as far as loading Sys32/Drivers before an animated screen came up saying it was preparing my computer for first-time use. Then a notice popped up saying it can't finish installing windows in Safe Mode, & it will finish installing after I restart. So I restart, & there it is again - black screen & pointer.

miketvsubs · 17 Feb 2014

I can get as far as step 10 in the tutorial I found here
Clean Install Windows 7[2]=General%20Tips

but then after the restart I just get a black screen & pointer.

If I try to restart it in SafeMode now, this is what I get:

Any clues? I'd really appreciate it...I've gotta get some work done...

gregrocker · 17 Feb 2014

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

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS you'll need to decide if you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS. If UEFI follow these special steps for Install, otherwise enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module to proceed with normal install:

Set DVD drive first to boot, HD second, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into Windows 7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here. I would use a fresh ISO written with tool in Step 2 as yours is in question.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
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 wiping the HD and marking Active which overcomes certain install failures.