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- Pavilion dm4 won't start :: black screen with flashing curso...

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02-10-2012 10:57 AM
Out of nowhere, my HP Pavilion dm4 shut itself down last night and will not restart. When I turn on the computer, I get a black screen with a flashing cursor in the upper left corner. I've run a variety of diagnostics and everything appears OK (i.e. no error messages).
I am able to start the computer in "Media" mode - and I can see all of my files. However, I am unable to start the computer normally. Please help.
My computer is 1 year and 25 days old -- so 25 days outside of the warranty period.
Thank you.
Solved! Go to Solution.
Accepted Solutions
02-12-2012 01:19 PM
Hi,
Boot from the Rescue CD again, select Repair Your Computer and choose the Command Prompt. When this loads, enter the following commands and hit enter after each one - include spaces as shown.
Bootrec.exe
bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
c:
cd boot
attrib bcd -s -h -r
ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
bootrec /RebuildBcd
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
Remove the Rescue CD and try rebooting now.
Regards,
DP-K
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****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
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Windows Insider MVP
02-10-2012 11:47 AM
Hi,
Do you mean you can still access your files from Safe Mode?
If this is the case, do you see the option to select Command Prompt?
What version of windows are you running - ie Vista, Windows 7 etc?
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Windows Insider MVP
02-10-2012 01:41 PM
I don't think it's safe mode -- it's the special "Media" mode if you just want access to the web, IM, skype, photos, video, and music. I've never used this mode before but decided to try defaulting the computer to start up this way since absolutely nothing else is working.
Yes, via this "Media" mode, I can see and access my photos and files but there's no way that I can find to save them to my zip drive.
I still can't start up my computer normally; I'm still getting the black screen with the flashing cursor--no error message.
02-10-2012 02:55 PM
Hi,
Shut down the notebook. Tap away at f8 as soon as you start-up - does this launch Windows Recovery Console?
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Windows Insider MVP
02-11-2012 04:14 AM
Hi,
If you don't already have one, use another PC to create a Windows 7 Recovery CD. Download the relevant ISO from the links below.
You should use an application such as ImgBurn to burn the ISO to a CD - a guide on using ImgBurn to write an ISO to a disc is Here. Once created, or if you already have this, insert the CD and restart to boot from it. Select the Repair option.
Select the 'Repair your Computer' option and follow Option 2 in the guide on the link below to run Start-up Repair – you may need to run this 2 or 3 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Windows Insider MVP
02-11-2012 06:33 AM
Hi,
It's not clear yet exactly what the problem is with your notebook, however the procedure I describe in my last post may give a clearer indication even if it does not correct the issue so make a note of any error messages you may get when trying this.
The procedure will in no way effect the files on your Hard Drive.
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Windows Insider MVP
02-12-2012 12:28 PM
I made a system recovery disc as you recommended, restored the computer to an earlier date (successfully) and also ran a series of tests, all of which the computer passed. Unfortunately, the computer will still not boot. I am continuing to get the black screen with a flashing cursor. I can also continue to use the computer in Quick Media mode.
Please let me know if you have other suggestions. Thanks very much.
