Hey all.

Bit of a problem with my other PC. When I boot, it loads Windows XP SP2 and then after the loading bar has finished it should go to the logon screen but instead it goes onto a black screen. I can't press Ctrl+Alt+Del, it does nothing. I'm not too sure what the problem is and I don't want to format it because I have many files which are important to me on it.  :-/

Anyone got an idea what to do?Are you sure the button on your monitor hasnt been turned to dark or have you tried another monitor to make sure that is not the reason?  Have you tried going into safe MODE so that you can fix the problem if there is ONE??  Have you tried restoring it back towhen it did work properly? Lots of things you can do.I can't restore because it doesn't boot windows properly.

I know it's not the monitor, because it tries to load XP and I can see the loading bar which you usually see before the WELCOME screen, after that there is a black screen. It's not the monitor.. Thanks anyway.

Still stuck though, any ideas?Safe mode means press F8 a few times before the Windows logo appears. Please try what is suggested and REPORT back. You can get to SYSTEM restore from there as well.  I've tried safe mode :-/

It has the same problem.I think it may be your video card.It also may be a ram problem.  How many beeps do you get when it first is loading?If it was video the screen at boot wouldn't show at all...

This sounds like a Windows problem...have you let it sit for awhile at the black screen to see if it recovers ? ?

patio.  8-)Patio, you're the first person to have said anything valid :p

Yeah, i've tried that already but thanks and its a good idea anyway!

I am pretty experienced with computers and it's obvious its not the video card.

I'm guessing itd hard drive recovery software time.. any ideas which ones are good?

Cheers anyway mate!! Quote

I'm guessing itd hard drive recovery software time.. any ideas which ones are good?