Solved Win 7 will not boot - black screen with cursor - can I recover files?

[AmyPie]

Hello, hoping for some expert advice please...

My Windows 7 64 bit Mesh desktop won't fully boot, it goes to a black screen with the arrow cursor visible + moveable with mouse, but totally unresponsive.
Same if I try safe mode, same if I try Last Known Good configuration

No new software or devices recently added.

Have tried with all peripherals (except monitor) disconnected.
Have gone thru forums following suggested steps but still nothing.

Startup Repair - "could not detect a problem" and " cannot repair this computer automatically"
System Restore - "No restore points have been created on your computer's system disk"
Windows Memory Diagnostics - displays " No problems detected yet" then starts to boot Windows + gets stuck exact same as normal

From the bootlog ntbtlog.txt there's loads of Did Not Loads but what stood out to me was:
Did Not Load \System Root\System32\drivers\vga.sys
Did Not Load \System Root\System32\drivers\NDproxy.sys - this one is listed several times.

SO:
I'm thinking it's the HDD (500GB SATA, nearly 5 yrs old) going + prob time for a new one. But haven't recently backed things up so really don't want to lose everything - especially photos of my baby that are nowhere else :-(

-Is there anything else I can try to get it working?
- Is there a way I can recover some/all/any of my files if I have to get rid or do a complete restore?

Thanks for any tips!!

Amy

 

[Tookeri]

For recovering files, here's some options:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ate-live-cd-dvd-usb-use-emergency-backup.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html *Requires Windows Installation media or a System Repair Disc*
File copy is done with right-click copy/paste menu. For USB devices, connect to a USB 2 port, not 3 (or drivers will be missing)

[FONT=&quot]Paragon Rescue Kit Free Edition Free Download - Softpedia[/FONT]

 

[AmyPie]

Thanks so much for those links, hadn't found any of them in my searches. I'd copied a few essential files via dos command prompt, but now much happier knowing I can still access everything - phew! Thanks

 

[Tookeri]

Great! Glad I could help

 

[kat69]

I have same problem. Finally went into command mode an don't know what to do any help asap would be awesome

 

[Anshad Edavana]

I have same problem. Finally went into command mode an don't know what to do any help asap would be awesome

The "black screen with cursor" issue can be caused by either software or hardware reasons. On the hardware side, a failing HDD is the most common cause ( in my personal experience). So i would start with diagnosing the HDD using "Seagate Seatool" before stat looking for software issues.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/313457-seatools-dos-windows-how-use.html


You should run "Long Test" for an accurate diagnostics.

 

[AmyPie]

kat - if you have a backup drive you can use DOS command eg "copy C:\users\kat69 F:" (copies all kat69's files/data to backup drive F). Or follow instructions in one of the links posted above by Tookeri.

Then if you have/can get a windows installation dvd or repair disc, try system repair or restore.
If you have to reinstall windows or replace the hard drive, you can copy all your data back over afterwards from the backup.