My computer is showing a blinking cursor on a black screen by C;Windows\system32

[Fred3153]

HP15-f272wm     My computer has a black screen with a blinking cursor next to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Fred3153 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

It is hard to tell why this is happening without details, checks, diagnostics.

• This may be happening due to simple Windows hung, hardware problem (e.g. your HDD or storage) or
  it may be caused by recently applied faulty Windows Update, some other faulty 3rd party update/driver, corrupted bootloader / Boot Configuration Data in Windows,    virus/malware etc....

1. Try hard restart/hard reset.

Press the power on-button on your PC and hold it for about 5-10 seconds until your computer powers off completely.

Remove and unplug any external peripherals and accessories.

Press once the power-on button to turn on the PC and wait if it will start now. Wait...

If it still fails to load properly, go ahead with the next steps

2. Perform some basic hardware checks to rule out a potential hardware problem

- Please, shutdown the computer using the power button (pressed and hold for a few seconds until PC powers off)

Here is more info how to test (F2) >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXUp43ahHA

Perform run-in test, fast or quick test.  If there are no system checks/no quick tests, perform HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM check (memory check).

Let me know the test results. If the tests pass without issues, continue. If not, please, let me know

3. Repeat steps 1-2 above but when HP Startup menu opens, please choose F11 for System Recovery options.

The computer should boot from it's recovery partition to open you various recovery options. Note, that F11 option will only work if the recovery partition is there (not deleted) and intact. From there, you have prenty of options to choose from. Every HP computer comes with recovery partition present to assist in tough moments.

Please, perform "System Restore" first in an attempt to fix the issue. Please, restore back to previous days (restore point) where the issue was not present. Here is more info:

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

>> https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html

Let me know how it goes