Vista will not boot - seems dead

Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim to
have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk, the
fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone cursor
was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button to turn it
off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq boot logo, but
nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).

I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the Boot
Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory modules. No
dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the Compaq logo.

Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all your
tips in advance.

"Test Man" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim to
> have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk,
> the fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone
> cursor was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button
> to turn it off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq boot
> logo, but nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).
>
> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the Boot
> Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory modules.
> No dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the Compaq logo.
>
> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all your
> tips in advance.

Did the Compaq come with Vista installed? If so...
What sort of recovery mechanism/process was supplied with the computer by
Compaq? Have you tried to use that? You may lose some applications and data
during the restoration to factory specs, but that may be the only way to get
your OS back.

Looks like a Hard Drive failure

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"Test Man" <> wrote in message news:...
> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim to
> have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk, the
> fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone cursor
> was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button to turn it
> off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq boot logo, but
> nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).
>
> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the Boot
> Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory modules. No
> dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the Compaq logo.
>
> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all your
> tips in advance.
>

At the mo I'm thinking it's not that because using a Vista DVD, I can
explore the disk and create and delete files using the Command Prompt.

"Peter Foldes" <> wrote in message
news:...
Looks like a Hard Drive failure

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"Test Man" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim to
> have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk,
> the
> fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone cursor
> was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button to turn
> it
> off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq boot logo, but
> nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).
>
> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the Boot
> Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory modules.
> No
> dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the Compaq logo.
>
> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all your
> tips in advance.
>

Hi

I'm hoping it won't come to that (restore discs). In fact, that would be my
very very very last resort.

"PvdG42" <> wrote in message
news:#...
> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
>> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim to
>> have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk,
>> the fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone
>> cursor was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button
>> to turn it off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq boot
>> logo, but nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).
>>
>> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
>> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the Boot
>> Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory modules.
>> No dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the Compaq logo.
>>
>> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all your
>> tips in advance.
>
> Did the Compaq come with Vista installed? If so...
> What sort of recovery mechanism/process was supplied with the computer by
> Compaq? Have you tried to use that? You may lose some applications and
> data during the restoration to factory specs, but that may be the only way
> to get your OS back.

Can you do a startup repair or system restore from the install DVD?

"Test Man" <> wrote in message
news:...
> At the mo I'm thinking it's not that because using a Vista DVD, I can
> explore the disk and create and delete files using the Command Prompt.
>
> "Peter Foldes" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> Looks like a Hard Drive failure
>
> --
> Peter
>
> Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
> Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
>
> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
>> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim to
>> have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk,
>> the
>> fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone
>> cursor
>> was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button to turn
>> it
>> off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq boot logo, but
>> nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).
>>
>> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
>> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the Boot
>> Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory modules.
>> No
>> dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the Compaq logo.
>>
>> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all your
>> tips in advance.
>>

Did that, mentioned it in my original e-mail.

"John Barnes" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Can you do a startup repair or system restore from the install DVD?
>
> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> At the mo I'm thinking it's not that because using a Vista DVD, I can
>> explore the disk and create and delete files using the Command Prompt.
>>
>> "Peter Foldes" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>> Looks like a Hard Drive failure
>>
>> --
>> Peter
>>
>> Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
>> Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
>>
>> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
>>> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim to
>>> have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk,
>>> the
>>> fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone
>>> cursor
>>> was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button to
>>> turn it
>>> off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq boot logo, but
>>> nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).
>>>
>>> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
>>> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the
>>> Boot
>>> Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory modules.
>>> No
>>> dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the Compaq logo.
>>>
>>> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all your
>>> tips in advance.
>>>
>

Hi Test Man--

From what I read, you just haven't exhuasted your options. Here's what you
need to try:

You say you tried system restore but you need to exhuast every Safe
Mode>System Restore possibility at F8 and several restore points at each.
You need to also try System Restore from the Recovery Link at the lower left
when you put in the DVD. This is because sometimes system restore works
from one location and won't work from others.

System Restore from the DVD found here:
http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif

You also did not try to use the DVD to do a Repair Install Yet which may
well save you. It does not "sound like" a hard drive failure at all.

Here's what to do:

I'd try a repair install with your Vista DVD. You do it the same way as
in XP:

***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx

and

***You could use the F8 environment fully:

***Using the F8 Environment***

***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware screen
with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:

The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode Boot
options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that apply
to both).

Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is a
generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.

You could also:

Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
Configuration


Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
Prompt.

These methods are outlined in

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx

Good luck,

CH


"Test Man" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi
>
> I'm hoping it won't come to that (restore discs). In fact, that would be
> my very very very last resort.
>
> "PvdG42" <> wrote in message
> news:#...
>> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
>>> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim to
>>> have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk,
>>> the fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone
>>> cursor was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button
>>> to turn it off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq
>>> boot logo, but nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).
>>>
>>> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
>>> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the
>>> Boot Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory
>>> modules. No dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the
>>> Compaq logo.
>>>
>>> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all your
>>> tips in advance.
>>
>> Did the Compaq come with Vista installed? If so...
>> What sort of recovery mechanism/process was supplied with the computer by
>> Compaq? Have you tried to use that? You may lose some applications and
>> data during the restoration to factory specs, but that may be the only
>> way to get your OS back.
>

Sorry. Seems like you aren't even finishing POST from one post. Can you
get into your BIOS and turn off the display screen. Are you getting any
beeps, indicating hardware failure? If you turn off the display, how far do
you get. Also you could try booting with the DVD in the drive, but not
hitting any key and seeing if it passes control to your system.

"Test Man" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Did that, mentioned it in my original e-mail.
>
> "John Barnes" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Can you do a startup repair or system restore from the install DVD?
>>
>> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> At the mo I'm thinking it's not that because using a Vista DVD, I can
>>> explore the disk and create and delete files using the Command Prompt.
>>>
>>> "Peter Foldes" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>> Looks like a Hard Drive failure
>>>
>>> --
>>> Peter
>>>
>>> Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
>>> Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
>>>
>>> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
>>>> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim
>>>> to
>>>> have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the desk,
>>>> the
>>>> fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and a lone
>>>> cursor
>>>> was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the power button to
>>>> turn it
>>>> off and now when I turn it on it only displays the Compaq boot logo,
>>>> but
>>>> nothing else (just black screen with blinking cursor).
>>>>
>>>> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
>>>> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the
>>>> Boot
>>>> Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory
>>>> modules. No
>>>> dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the Compaq logo.
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all
>>>> your
>>>> tips in advance.
>>>>
>>

Unfortunately the repair option you linked to is different in Vista, you can
only install over the existing installation (in fact it will copy the old
installation into a folder called "Windows.old". You have to click on
"Repair your computer" as in your first linked pic to get any repair option.

F8 doesn't work either, it doesn't even get that far enough. Compaq logo
disappears to be replaced by a blank screen & blinking cursor.



"Chad Harris" <vistaneedsmuchowork.net> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi Test Man--
>
> From what I read, you just haven't exhuasted your options. Here's what
> you need to try:
>
> You say you tried system restore but you need to exhuast every Safe
> Mode>System Restore possibility at F8 and several restore points at each.
> You need to also try System Restore from the Recovery Link at the lower
> left when you put in the DVD. This is because sometimes system restore
> works from one location and won't work from others.
>
> System Restore from the DVD found here:
> http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>
> http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif
>
> You also did not try to use the DVD to do a Repair Install Yet which may
> well save you. It does not "sound like" a hard drive failure at all.
>
> Here's what to do:
>
> I'd try a repair install with your Vista DVD. You do it the same way as
> in XP:
>
> ***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx
>
> and
>
> ***You could use the F8 environment fully:
>
> ***Using the F8 Environment***
>
> ***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
> by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware
> screen
> with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:
>
> The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode
> Boot
> options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
> updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that
> apply
> to both).
>
> Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is
> a
> generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.
>
> You could also:
>
> Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in
> order.
> 1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
> prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
> Configuration
>
>
> Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
> use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you
> a
> choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
> Prompt.
>
> These methods are outlined in
>
> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>
> Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx
>
> Good luck,
>
> CH
>
>
> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi
>>
>> I'm hoping it won't come to that (restore discs). In fact, that would be
>> my very very very last resort.
>>
>> "PvdG42" <> wrote in message
>> news:#...
>>> "Test Man" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Using a Compaq Presario C500 and an idiot mate has somehow managed to
>>>> knacker it completely. It has Vista Home Premium on it and they claim
>>>> to have shut it down, however when I looked at it when placed on the
>>>> desk, the fan was still on and the screen was lit (although black) and
>>>> a lone cursor was blinking in the top-left corner. Had to hold the
>>>> power button to turn it off and now when I turn it on it only displays
>>>> the Compaq boot logo, but nothing else (just black screen with blinking
>>>> cursor).
>>>>
>>>> I have tried using a Vista DVD to repair, done system restore, used
>>>> bootrec.exe to fix MBR and boot sector (although haven't rebuilt the
>>>> Boot Configuration Data yet) and even removed and reinsterted memory
>>>> modules. No dice, still black screen with cursor blinking after the
>>>> Compaq logo.
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas how to resurrect this Vista installation? Thanks for all
>>>> your tips in advance.
>>>
>>> Did the Compaq come with Vista installed? If so...
>>> What sort of recovery mechanism/process was supplied with the computer
>>> by Compaq? Have you tried to use that? You may lose some applications
>>> and data during the restoration to factory specs, but that may be the
>>> only way to get your OS back.
>>
>