Blinking dash in corner of screen computer wont boot.

[nicole2320]

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?

 

[marsmimar]

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.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

 

[nicole2320]

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

 

[nicole2320]

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?

 

[Bumpkin]

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.

 

[nicole2320]

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.

 

[gregrocker]

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.

 

[nicole2320]

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?

 

[Bumpkin]

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.

 

[nicole2320]

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.

 

[nicole2320]

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?

Start over and read my first sentence.

Im sorry, yes i did a disk check. I did a chkdsk also using a windows repair. I did every solution that was posted in the forum before I posted

 

[gregrocker]

If you have run Memtest86+ for 5-6 passes or overnight, the HD makers HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, and Disk Check on all partitions, checked for BIOS update or reset the BIOS

then I would look at the install unless you followed all of the Best Practices given in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which are different than installing XP when handling drivers and on what tools and methods work the best.

This is a specialty of these forums so you might as well use us to assure you have a perfect reinstall. Then you can focus again on hardware if necessary.

I just connected to look at a Grandmas PC who was reinstalling and swore she followed all the steps in tutorial, yet the wrong version was installed on the data partition, the old Win7 was still in C, and the boot partition had been cut out of the picture. So we dont just assume anyone gets it done right, much less done perfectly.

If you want to try everything to get it started and perhaps discover the boot problem first then follow these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start. You might also have infection which the steps check out first.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

 

[nicole2320]

Thanks

 

[stohrmann]

A little late in posting here. I encountered same problem. Did a factory reset, and that took care of it. My ram was also loose for some reason. Needless to say don't use Windows much anymore, only when the macs are not handy.

 

[gregrocker]

Since you're using the bloated factory preinstalled Win7, may I suggest as a project you experience for the first time native perfect Win7 performance by doing a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

You may find that without the bloat and duplicate utilities which conflict with better versions built into Win7, Win7 will beat any Apple OS on comparable hardware.