In dire need of help-blank screen on windows startup

[elw1024]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone knew about this type of problem, I have searched other forums and talked to numerous tech guys with no success. So, here it is I was trying to update my drivers on my computer with some site driver doctor anyway that was probably my first mistake. So, in the middle of the download it cancels out and after that it is horrible. My computer will only start up flash the dell screen then the windows xp screen then total blackness nothing else. I can get into the system startup and the boot menu, when i try to put in a cd to reinstall windows it comes up with floppy diskette seek failure f1 or f2, then press f1 says selected boot device not avail. I have tried everything taking out hard drive putting it back and the same with the cd drive!! I really don't know what to do except possibly buy a new bios but I am not sure any ideas?????? I have windows xp and a dell dimension E510 desktop

 

[elw1024]

Ron from maximum PC forum posted this reply to me and it worked so for anyone else with same problem here is solution:
OK, let's try something. Let's see if we can find the onboard Dell Restore partition of your Hard Drive. Later we can worry about the BIOS settings.

Start the computer from a dead start and soon as you see that Dell splash screen (before Windows begins to load) hold CRTL + F11. That should get you nto the Dell recovery console.

Now assuming that works:

Quote:
In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.

When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.

The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.

When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.

Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer.

The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.


Just remember that this method will restore the system to the way it was on DAY 1 from Dell. You will likely lose anything you have on the system.

Let me crawl around in my laptop (Dell) BIOS and I will see about boot sequence.

 

[wahnula]

Well,

wiping your hard drive is one way to fix just about any driver problem

I would have connected the drive in question to another PC to get all the important files, pictures, music, emails etc. off of it.

Next time, try not to panic and wait a little while for a reply. You'll probably find a solution that does NOT involve wiping the drive.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[paparazi]

I agree with Tony on this one. Installing the incorect driver (or whatever it was that caused the fault) would not have effected the bios in any way.
Most likely you could have just started this in VGA mode then uninstalled the driver. At worst you could have installed a seperate graphics card.
Anyway...closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, come back, had some feed, been groomed and gone to sleep in the straw me thinks....
Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep