[JF88]

I have an issue my old desktop, which is a dimension 3000 Dell with XP.

When I startup the computer, the Dell screen comes on, then it immediately goes to a black screen with no cursor. It will not boot correctly in Safe mode or last known good configuration. I'm a novice at detailed computer stuff, but BIOS shows correct time and date. Boot sequence is diskette, hard drive, CD rom. Memory and CPU info appear fine. One interesting note is that when I go to system log it shows several POST erros with the event showing keyboard error?

I have been unable to locate the Windows disk that came with the computer...but I'm still looking. I also have some pictures and files I would like to save.

One thing to mention is that I had a virus and/or malware that was causing firefox and a malware program (can't think of the name) not to boot up. I fixed by deleting some corrupt files, then running the malware program and my Avast in safe mode. I rebotted a few times and everything has been good until now. Not sure if this is coincidental or related?

Thanks for the help!

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If you are using a PS2 type keyboard (wired) can you loan a USB type to try.

EDIT: Have a look at the link below for clues on what could be causing the issue;
http://support.dell....t.htm#wp1043338

Edited by phillpower2, 18 October 2010 - 12:52 PM.

[phillpower2]

If you are using a PS2 type keyboard (wired) can you loan a USB type to try.

EDIT: Have a look at the link below for clues on what could be causing the issue;
http://support.dell....t.htm#wp1043338

Edited by phillpower2, 18 October 2010 - 12:52 PM.

[JF88]

I tried another keyboard through USB and it didn't work. No help on the Dell page. Any other recommendations? Thanks!

[phillpower2]

On attempting to boot up do you get any error beeps and did you check the diagnostic lights as described at the trouble shooting guide, if so what error beeps (if any) and what are the diagnostic lights showing at this time?

[JF88]

There are no beeps...and all of the lights are green as if all is ok.

[phillpower2]

Check the condition of the pc to monitor lead including the pins in the end connections (no bent pins), also make sure they are secure at both ends when you re-connect them, if you have no luck with this can you try another screen? a laptop with a vga port will do.

[Macboatmaster]

Are the mouse and keyboard in the correct connections. ie mouse green, keyboard grey

Edited by Macboatmaster, 19 October 2010 - 09:30 AM.

[JF88]

Yes, I double checked everything and it is correct. One thing to mention, the computer was working fine. I left it on overnight, and the next morning it had the look of the old or classic windows...which I thought was odd. I rebooted and I've been having this issue ever since. I am left with a black screen after the Dell logo displays on the monitor.

[Macboatmaster]

Try Ctrl Alt Delete on the black screen and see if task manager starts
If so do this
run a new task (C:\windows\explorer.exe)
click applications and then bottom right click new task.
then type the command

Edited by Macboatmaster, 20 October 2010 - 08:31 AM.

[JF88]

If I do ctrl+alt+del, it automatically restarts. I'm not holding it down either, it restarts on the first "click" so to speak...

Edited by JF88, 20 October 2010 - 08:36 AM.

[Macboatmaster]

The easy way to recover your data is to take out the hard drive and place it in an enclosure, or slave it to another computer as an internal drive and then access the data.
Can you do this?
If not I can send you a program that will boot this computer and allow you to recover the data to a DVD or flash drive, which you can if it is a flash drive then copy to another computer.
Which do you want to do please.

Edited by Macboatmaster, 20 October 2010 - 09:55 AM.

[JF88]

Could you please send me the program? Sounds like the computer is toast?

[Macboatmaster]

There are a number of ways of recovering your data. One is below and probably one of the best.
Puppy Linux
See this link http://ftp.nluug.nl/...fulldrivers.iso

Get puppy-2.16-seamonkey-fulldrivers.iso download it and burn it to cd
ISO file so, you will need an ISO burning program. Here it is
http://www.snapfiles...dlburncdcc.html
NOTE...do not put a blank cd in until burncdcc opens the tray for you
1. Start BurnCDCC
2. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd ....in this case its puppy-2.16-seamonkey-fulldrivers.iso
3. Select the ISO file
4. click on Start
make sure in the bios the cd drive is the first boot device....
• Change the second drive to the C or Main Drive
Once that is done then click F10 to Save and Exit
You will prompted to enter Y to verify Save and Exit. Click Y and the system will now reboot with the new settings.
Make sure the cd you burned is in the cd drive before clicking Y and then your system will reboot. Puppy will boot and run totally in ram...if your hardware is is good working order you will know...
after you get it running and your at the desktop...you take the puppy linux cd out and then you can use the burner to copy all your data to cd/dvds
you can also use it to backup your data to a external usb harddrive..just have it hooked to the computer when you boot up with puppy...
==========================
quick guide for saving data...music..files on a system that will not boot using puppy Linux..
after you get to puppy desktop..
click on the drives icon...looks like a flash drive...top row..it will list all the drives connected to
your computer...

click on the red icon for the drive you want to mount...in this case its a flash drive ...puppy will
mount the drive..the drive icon turns green when its mounted...
minimize the drives mounter window..you will need it again in a few minutes..
drag the right edge of it sideways to shrink it to its narrowest size...about half the width of the screen...then drag the window to the right edge of the screen...
now click on the icon that looks like a filing cabinet (kind of yellow) on the main drive...it should
already be green..
you will see a list of all the folders on the main drive Usually your C: drive..shrink that window to
the narrowest you can..about half the width of the screen...drag that window to the left side of the screen...
at this point you should have 2 windows open on your desktop..the flash drive on the right side..
go back to the folders on the C: drive...click on the documents and settings folder...then your user
name or all users..find the folders that has your data..
drag and drop the folder with the data you want to make copies of to the flash drive window...
your options are to move ..copy ect...JUST COPY..if its to big you will have to open the folder and
drag and drop individual files until the flash drive is full...after you get the files copied to
the flash drive...
Click on the drives mounter you minimized earlier
UNMOUNT THE FLASH DRIVE by clicking on the green icon..you will once in awhile get error messages when
unmouting the drive..ignore them..when the flash drive icon turns red again its safe to remove the
flash drive.. and download to another computer.
Ensure the other computer can read them...
now delete the data on the flash drive...take it back to the misbehaving computer and plug it in

again..click on the drives icon again and repeat until you have all your data transferred to the working
system..
Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption.

POSTED with acknowledgement to the authors of this information


NOTE IN CASE YOU DO HAVE AN INFECTION (I am not suggesting you have) DO NOT SAVE any exe or bat files etc. ONLY your personal music, jpegs etc images, documents and probably your favourites in explorer., although I would be hesitant re those.

Edited by Macboatmaster, 20 October 2010 - 11:03 AM.

[JF88]

Sorry, I've been traveling the past few days on work.

I guess I dont totally understand the steps. I'm thinking I download the file and burn the cd on my "working" computer. Then, transfer the burnt cd to the problem computer ensuring the BIOS reads the CD Rom first, correct? What is confusing is me the after step 4. I'm assuming everything after step 4 is on the problem compputer, correct?

Sorry I'm a little naive to this pc stuff. Thanks!

[Macboatmaster]

You guess right, you cannnot make it on the non working computer can you?

Make sure the cd you burned is in the cd drive before clicking Y and then your system will reboot. Puppy will boot and run totally in ram...if your hardware is is good working order you will know...

That quote refers to - make sure it is in the drive on the non working computer

I honestly cannot see what it is you are having difficulty understanding, but please post back with any further query.