The Dreaded Black Screen -- Dell Inspiron N7010

[gregrocker]

I assumed you had already worked through the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start
which BlueRobot linked in Post #2, however since you apparently didn't see the step where you could easily copy out your files from unbootable Win7 and instead spent $90 having Best Buy do it for you, then if Win7 is still on the HD you can try them now.

In that case Startup Repair run up to 3 separate times automates all of the repair commands and tests, while the manual steps are also provided so you know everything possible that can be done has been attempted.

If you'd already done this and/or decided you prefer the Clean Reinstall then carry on.

 

[JC95]

I ran system repair 4 times. First time, no problems. Second time, an issue was corrected w/ re-boot. Third and fourth times, no problems.

I do have an option to restore windows to an earlier point in time instead of doing startup repair. Should I try that, or continue on with the directions you provided earlier?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[gregrocker]

It's entirely up to you. Kaktussoft thought the repair option had not been adequately pursuued so I wanted to make sure you didn't feel you were pushed into the Clean Reinstall because I interacted with you about it, since you seemed to lean in that direction. If you don't have a perfect Clean Install to begin with, it is always preferable anyway.

System Restore is one of the many steps given in the tutorial you were first provided, so if you have a Restore point available it's worth a try. There are other steps there leading up to the Reinstall so that you know you've done everything. You would have read several methods to rescue your files if you'd made it that far.

 

[Kaktussoft]

I ran system repair 4 times. First time, no problems. Second time, an issue was corrected w/ re-boot. Third and fourth times, no problems.

I do have an option to restore windows to an earlier point in time instead of doing startup repair. Should I try that, or continue on with the directions you provided earlier?

Thanks again for all your help!

How did you do "startup repair"? You told us you can't boot at all (ended in black screen with cursor). Even installation DVD didn't work... didn't accept any key to boot from DVD.

Second time, an issue was corrected w/ re-boot. Third and fourth times, no problems.

What did it correct the second time? Very strange it didn't find an issue the first time

If you did "startup repair" by booting from win7 installation DVD..... did it find your win7 installation in the step before, and did you select it? If so select it again and do "command prompt" instead of "startup repair". then:

bootrec/fixmbr
bootrec/fixboot

Both commands succesfully?
Now reboot normally. Still black screen with cursor?

 

[JC95]

Okay, final update...and it's good news!

I was able to boot with the CD provided to me by Dell. It did eventually accept my keystrokes to boot it. I ran diagnostics, as stated before. I tried a system restore through the CD, that didn't do anything. I finally re-installed windows, and that has appeared to fix everything.

My only issue was I couldn't connect to the internet. I call tech support, and they walked me through some troubleshooting. It turns out there is a problem with hardware on my computer that won't recognize networks. Since it is a hardware problem, repair is covered under warranty.

I do want to send a huge THANK YOU to everybody who provided assistance to me, especially Greg. Saved me lots of $$$, I learned some new tricks about computers and I can brag that I successfully re-installed Windows 7

Thank you so much!!

 

[gregrocker]

Did you install the network driver for your wireless or ethernet device from the HP downloads for your model, or was it provided already by the installer?

Did the network then show up in the bottom-right System tray? What happened if you tried to connect?

Next rightclick on the network connection icon in System tray to Troubleshoot. Report back results.

Have you installed all Important and Optional Windows Updates and completed the other Best Practices for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[JC95]

I'm not sure. No networks showed up in the lower right corner. When I called, he walked me through some steps and the network driver wasn't recognized. It showed up as "other device." and that's when he told me it was a hardware problem.

 

[gregrocker]

That's why it clearly says in the Clean Reinstall tutorial to put the wireless driver on a CD or flash stick in case it isn't provided during install, so that you can install it to get online and do the Windows Updates?

How could you ignore such a major step written out clearly in a tutorial you were given to get a perfect Reinstall?

If you needed to know more about how to do it you should have asked. We would have asked your PC Make and Model so we could go to the Support Downloads webpage for that PC model to get your wireless or ethernet driver for you. You can do that now if you're able.

If you can't follow instructions any better than that, or ask the questions needed to do the steps, then you shouldn't be attempting operations like these.

 

[JC95]

If you needed to know more about how to do it you should have asked. We would have asked your PC Make and Model so we could go to the Support Downloads webpage for that PC model to get your wireless or ethernet driver for you. You can do that now if you're able.

Eh....I had a feeliing the internet was messed up cause I did something wrong. If you could give me the link, I'd apreciate it.

Dell Inspiron N7010 Noteboke Computer

 

[gregrocker]

Enter Service Tag # here to get the exact driver under Network drivers: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Otherwise if it doesn't say in Device Manager which model Wireless device you have, then you'll have to try each of the wireless drivers.

You can also trace it using Hardware Identification
to find out which make/model Wireless device you have.

What is listed in Device Manager under Network Drivers, or which drivers in the main list have an (!) exclamation mark indicating they need drivers.

All of this was spelled out in detail in the tutorial you didn't read.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73420-hardware-identification.html

 

[JC95]

Thanks, Greg!