Black screen w/ mouse pointer (before login screen) after install

[Bini5150]

Ok, so I'm stubborn and stuck on XP in my recording studio, but I decided to make the jump to Windows 7 Ultimate 64, and it's been a nightmare...

The initial install took foreeeeeeevvvvvvvvveeerrrr... like 24+ hours to complete. It did complete though, but when it boots, it shows the Windows logo splash screen, but then instead of going to the login screen after that, it just goes to an all black screen with a mouse pointer. I can move the mouse pointer around, but there's nothing to click. It's not completely brain dead, because tapping shift 5 times brings up the box to ask me if I want to turn sticky keys on, but that is ALL it does.

Unlike some of the issues I see where people get the black screen and pointer instead of their desktop after they log in, I can not log in, I can't launch task manager, and none of the fixes for that issue are viable.

Safemode does the same thing. None of the repairs work. I've never actually made it into Windows, so it's not a bad driver or anything. There are no restore points because it's never actually booted up.

I decided maybe something went wrong with the install, so maybe a re-install would fix it. I did some reading on the long install time, and tried a few of the fixes for that (disable SpeedStep throttling and floppy support in BIOS, unplug everything except the keyboard/mouse and one monitor, etc.) and that knocked a few hours off of it, but the second (and third, and 4th...) install attempts were still all day and night events and yielded exactly the same results. I've spent the last few very frustrating days in google and youtube searches looking for answers, but still nothing.

Hopefully someone can help me out here, because I'm this close >.< to just going back to XP SP3.

Please help!

Custom built pc
Intel Core2 Duo
Intel DQ965GF mobo
5gb DDR2
Nvidea 8400 1gb video card

 

[Snick]

Hi Bini5150,
Welcome to SevenForums.
Question: What makes you so sure: "I've never actually made it into Windows, so it's not a bad driver or anything."

Most likely incorrect driver from install media...try this
When installing 7 let it get to the part where it reboots and goes to completing installation. When it restarts press either (F6,F7,F8,or F9 I forget) and boot the new install in safe mode. Let it load and you will get an error: don't press OK!. Press shift F10 and type "compmgmt.msc" and hit enter. When the computer management screen comes up go to device manager and disable the video card (not uninstall it). You will still get video so don't worry...continue the install as normal and see if it lets you finish!

 

[Ranger4]

Before you tried to install Windows 7 did you run a check to see if your computer is compatible with Windows 7. Some older computers will not run Windows 7.

Where did you get the Windows 7 Ultimate x64 software. It's possible it may be faulty.

 

[Snick]

Good questions Ranger4!

 

[Bini5150]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Ranger, I checked compatibility with the Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser. Everything more than meets the requirements. I've also tried it from different sources, including downloading the ISO from Microsoft. I tried a different type of DVD to burn the ISO to, and I tried to install from USB. All with the same results. After several 16-24 hour installs with the same results, I gave up.

Snick, for the time being, I went back to XP. I have a lot of studio sessions booked and can't afford this downtime right now chasing gremlins in my machine lol. Maybe when things slow back down I'll give it another shot. I did attempt it using the onboard GFX on my mobo, and it did the same thing. What I meant by "I've never actually made it into Windows, so it's not a bad driver or anything." was that I never actually made it to the desktop and didn't install any drivers, other than what was on the windows disk. Those generic drivers made it all the way through completing the install until the reboot. Booting into safe mode did the same thing though, same black screen with a mouse pointer.

 

[Megahertz07]

Did you check your disk?
If you have a faulty disk it can explain what you're facing during win 7 installation.
Detach your Win XP disk an try to clean install on another disk. Remember to clean ALL partitions during installation.
Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums