Black Screen at Start-up

[Jim B]

A few months ago, I was trying to speed up my computer by eliminating several
"Service Areas" that was suggested by PC Pitstop. However, after doing so &
rebooting, I got the Dell logo & then a Black Screen w/a blinking cursor in
the upper left hand corner. This blinking cursor/black screen lasts for
anywhere from 5-8 minutes & then it eventually reverts to the Windows LogOn
screen. I tried to change back but to no avail. Does anyone have an idea of
what I need to change/activate without reinstalling Windows XP Home editition?

 

[Patrick Keenan]

A few months ago, I was trying to speed up my computer by eliminating
several
"Service Areas" that was suggested by PC Pitstop. However, after doing so
&
rebooting, I got the Dell logo & then a Black Screen w/a blinking cursor
in
the upper left hand corner. This blinking cursor/black screen lasts for
anywhere from 5-8 minutes & then it eventually reverts to the Windows
LogOn
screen. I tried to change back but to no avail. Does anyone have an idea
of
what I need to change/activate without reinstalling Windows XP Home
editition?

Does the system actually start, or not? If it does, go into msconfig, and
turn on /bootlog on hte boot.ini tab. Reboot, and look at the contents of
the boot log text file for clues.

HTH
-pk

 

[Leonard Grey]

Replace the "Service Areas" you eliminated or reinstall Windows.

In future, do not make significant changes to your computer without:

1- a complete understanding of what you are doing,
2- making detailed notes of the steps you are performing, and
3- backing up your system before you start.

These are lessons I learned the hard way.

With a backup of your system, you can put everything back the way it was
in a matter of minutes.

Failing that, if you make detailed notes of the steps you performed, you
can post them here and someone might be able to help you 'undo' what you
did.

Finally: Making substantial changes to your system without understanding
exactly what you are doing and what it will accomplish is like jumping
out of a plane without inquiring about your parachute.

 

[Jim B]

Thanks for the hint. I'll give it a try, although if I find a clue, I don't
know if I will know it if I see it.

 

[Jim B]

Can't argue with any of that. Good Advice. But I still have the problem to
fix for not having a parachute on my last adventure.

 

[Leonard Grey]

See the first sentence of my original reply.

 

[Jim B]

I tried the bootlog reboot, but after it rebooted it took me back to the same
screen that I rebooted it from, but it did not show any text anywhere that I
could find. I even did a "search" for Bootlog text and it came up empty.
Where would I find the text that you referenced after a reboot?

Thanks