Using Bootcamp: Windows 7 won't launch, goes to black screen.

21.5-inch, Mid-2010 iMac, running OSX Mountain Lion, v. 10.8.2
I currently have Bootcamp running Windows 7, for some windows specific programs. Last night, while using windows, I was prompted to install some updates. One of which required a system restart. Upon restarting (holding alt/option to select the Windows partition), I wound up stuck on a black screen, with only the cursor (and a "working" icon off and on) after seeing the initial Windows logo.
It would seem, to me, that the issue lies within the update requiring restart. However, now that it's stuck on this point, I'm not sure how to proceed, other than removing Windows 7 and basically recreating the partition, but I'm hoping there's a better way to do this than starting over entirely.
I'm considering changing my boot camp launch settings to launch directly to Windows, to see if that will allow the update process to complete properly.
I'll post with an update.

Boot from Windows 7 DVD next time.
Monitor hardware fans, temps, RAM, hard drives.
Install InputRemapper
Run memtest
update the gpu driver
make sure to have large enough disk space
Check points for restores are very helpful
what do you run ? games? Office?
Assumption is you installed Apple (Boot Camp) drivers 3.04-3.3
No reason to and a reinstall is unlikely to help.
Also, use Malwarebytes plus a good AV suite, MS Security Essentials is free and pretty solid (but still needs MB from what I have seen).

Similar Messages

  • Just tried setting up bootcamp on MacPro. Computer now boots to white screen before going to black screen with curser in upper left corner. Can anyone get me back to Mac operating system so I can start over again?

    Just tried setting up bootcamp on 2014 MacPro 13" laptop. Computer now boots to white screen before going to black screen with curser in upper left corner. Can anyone get me back to Mac operating system so I can start over again?

    Hi there rjr25350,
    You may find the information in the article below helpful.
    Boot Camp: Windows installation boots to black screen with blinking cursor
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4536
    -Griff W. 

  • N97 camera won't start(just a black screen)

    My N97 camera won't start just a black screen  this issue since the update to the new firmware

    ooooooooops so sorry about this, here it goes and start with the first code. 
     With all these operations I recommend you TAKE OUT MEMORY CARD and DO A BACK UP OF YOUR STUFF!!!
    1. *#7780# - Restore factory settings - resets all the settings to the default ( you will not lose any data)
    Make sure you back up your data as you will lose all of it when you perform option 2 or 3 on this list. The default code for ALL operations listed here is 12345
    2. *#7370# - Reformat your phone (out of the box, tho keep in mind that most newer nokia phones at least n series, e series and s60 based phones have udp - user data preservation so not ALL data may be lost. still it is a good idea to always do a back up of your stuff.)
    3. This you perform as a last resort. Nothing else is working.If the phone is not showing any activity, proceed with hard formatting , turn off your phone, hold the following buttons while pressing the power button. (the default code is 12345)
    hard reset - hold the following buttons *, 3 (number button) and talk/green key. turn on the phone and do not release those buttons until you see the Nokia boot up screen. once you feel the phone power up you can let go off the power button while still holding all three buttons ( for Nokia 5800XM - use the following buttons to do a hard reset, GREEN/RED/CAMERA keys pressed all at once on power up. this will only work on 5800's that have firmware version 20... and up. ) For Nokia N97 (unofficial version but works) is SHIFT /SPACE BAR / BACKSPACE while holding the power button. Again do not let go until you see the handshake screen.
    If these codes are not working the only thing for you to do is contact your Nokia Care Center/Service for assistance. 
    You know what I love about you the most, the fact that you are not me ! In love with technology and all that it can offer. Join me in discovery....

  • How do I download PDF files using Safari.  All I get is a black screen.

    How do I download PDF files using Safari.  All I get is a black screen.

    Back up all data.
    Quit Safari. In the Finder, select Go ▹ Go to Folder... from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-G. Copy the line of text below into the box that opens, and press return:
    /Library/Internet Plug-ins
    From the folder that opens, remove any items that have the letters “PDF” in the name. You may be prompted for your login password. Then launch Safari and test.
    If you still have the issue, repeat with this line:
    ~/Library/Internet Plug-ins
    If you don’t like the results of this procedure, restore the items from the backup you made before you started. Relaunch Safari again.

  • Cannot reinstall windows 10 Technical preview after getting black screen at start. will not let format drive or install

    cannot reinstall windows 10 Technical preview after getting black screen at start. will not let format drive or install

    you may need to use a DVD from an earlier version of Windows or slave the disk to wipe it with disk manager
    Place your rig specifics into your signature like I have, makes it 100x easier!
    Hardcore Games Legendary is the Only Way to Play!
    Vegan Advocate How can you be an environmentalist and still eat meat?

  • Windows Vista and Windows 7 Only Boots to a black screen with a mouse cursor

    Windows Vista and Windows 7 Only Boots to  a black screen with a mouse cursor after I installed Mcafee Internet Security.
    Hi I installed 1of 3 McAfee Internet Security protections on my HP laptop a few weeks ago with no issues. I Have a Dell XPS 420 desk top with Windows Vista operating
    system, it’s never had any issues, until 2 nights ago I installed McAfee Internet Security (detected incompatible files and will remove) pc now only boots up to a black screen with a mouse cursor, it will show the windows logo and a hash symbol floating around
    the screen. Now 2 weeks ago I installed the same program on my Dell all in one desk top with Windows 7, the same issue happen but that pc has no screen activity, I tried a back to factory reboot on this one, still black screen. 

    Hi,
    Please install the compatible version of McAfee Internet Security:
    http://home.mcafee.com/store/internet-security
    if you have startup issue, you can boot into Safe Mode to uninstall the problematic software to go back into Windows.
    Alex Zhao
    TechNet Community Support

  • I have iphoto previously installed. running  but when i have synced my iphone4 the iphoto app. cant be launched anymore. a black screen with the hourglass running till it quits automatically.  What should be the problem???o

    i have iphoto previously installed. running  but when i have synced my iphone4 the iphoto app. cant be launched anymore. a black screen with the hourglass running till it quits automatically.  What should be the problem???

    Try the two fixes below in order as needed:
    Fix #1
    1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your HD/User/Home/() Library/Preferences folder.
    2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your HD/User/Home()/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder. 
    3 - launch iPhoto and try again.
    NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto.  You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
    Fix #2
    Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
    Select the options identified in the screenshot.
    Click to view full size
    OT

  • IMovie will launches into a black screen

    Can anyone tell me what to do when iMovie launches into a black screen...the only way to quit is by force quiting.
    iMovie will launch as another user.

    Mac-Billy,
    You should let the battery drain at least once a month.  That said, see this article.  Bring the computer into the Apple Store and see what they say.

  • Using Bootcamp Windows 7, my wireless internet stays connected most of the time, but occasionally says "no internet access", then reconnects after a period of time. How can I keep a stable connection?

    I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate on Bootcamp. I've installed all Windows software, with all the drivers, and my wireless internet works fine. But, every once in awhile, it will say, "no internet access", and I'm unable to do anything until it restores. Like I've said, all the drivers have been installed, and they're both copied onto my desktop, and on a flash drive.
    I need to keep a stable connection, because I only use my Windows partition for gaming, and when I get disconnected from the internet, I get booted from the game. Any advice?

    what version of bootcamp you use to install all of the driver ?? is it the problem was from the beginning you installed windows or just now ?? or maybe you can try usb wifi to test the windows is not the problem..

  • MacBook using BootCamp - Windows XP Bootup shows display in Portrait Mode

    I loaded Windows XP on my MacBook using Bootcamp. Everything was working fine, but now for some reason the display is in Portrait Mode when in XP. Does anyone know how to get the screen back to a normal mode?

    "I loaded Windows XP on my MacBook using Bootcamp. "
    Then you'll probably want to post your question in the Boot Camp discussions:
    http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1165

  • I'm using bootcamp windows 8 my keyboard doesn't have full function

    I can not cut ,copy & paste. i can use mouse to drag but not to cut,  copy & paste.

    maybe you're pressing the wrong keys
    I use a windows keyboard in both osx and windows8.1
    in osx I copy,cut, paste by window key c, x, p
    and in windows ctrl c,x,p

  • Bootcamp - Win 7 Install goes to black screen

    Hi folks, I'm running a 15" MBP Mid 2009.
    2.8 Core 2 Duo
    8 GB RAM
    Nvidia GeForce 9400M 256 Mb
    OSX 10.8.5
    Just this weekend I purchased Mountain Lion and decided to start completely fresh. Used the AppStore download to create a USB boot disk. Removed all existing partitions (Read: used disk utility to erase and format as MacOS Extended (journaled)). Installed the fresh copy of OSX to this new partition. Once in the OS I configured my settings, installed iLife and Office and updated all software. All is well with OSX, now it's time for Windows 7.
    I run bootcamp assistant. I resize the partitions such that Windows gets 250GB and MacOS gets 500GB. It prepares a usb stick with support files on it then makes sure it's not bootable. I insert my Windows 7 Ultimate disk and get ready to reboot.
    Once I reboot I can hear the disk churning and working but the screen is completely black. Tried closing and opening the lid and nothing. Eventually my only choice is to hold the power button for 5 seconds. I use the option key to boot back into OSX fine and everything is as expected there.
    For reference the disk i am using is the same exact disk I had used previously to install Windows to this very machine. I have also tested it on other PC's to verify it is bootable so that may rule out a lot of the common suggestions. I also re-burned the same iso at a slower speed and I'm getting the same results with both disks.
    What I've found on the web and/or tried:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3173 - Seems to be related to the iMac of the same year. I'm hesitant to install iMac drivers on a MBP. However I have a feeling that the issue might be related.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2600 - Resetting PRAM and SMC did not resolve the issue. Still unable to boot to the Windows 7 Boot disk
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4536 - This described a different problem as I do not have the blinking cursor, however I did try removing the USB drive that OSX prepares but no luck there either.
    http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/12275/black-screen-when-installing-boot -camp - References the first 2 KBs I found but the interesting suggestion here was to try a second monitor. The best I had available was a mini display port to VGA and using a VGA-to-DVI cable to talk to my monitor (which has no VGA port). No luck there. tried plugging/unplugging the adapter a few times.
    http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1229631 - On this thread, Post #18 suggests that the new EFI does not allow booting off CD and apparently the USB stick needs to be bootable to make changes to the EFI to allow it to boot from CD. I'm not sure about the validity of this claim but I did download the BootCamp 4.0.4033 for the MBP mid 2009 to try to make a bootable USB - This is on my list of 'to try' items
    I knew I was hitting a point where pretty soon I won't be able to self-prescribe the solution so I came to the community for answers. 

    I have a case open with Apple Support. It is currently in escalation. I will update this thread once I have more information from them.
    In the meantime I have tried:
    Created a slipstreamed Windows 7 install image with the apple drivers available for my MBP in the bootcamp support files and made both a DVD and a USB install. Both drives are verified bootable, neither resolved the blackscreen issue. Either the graphics driver is not the issue or the drivers I slipstreamed into the install did not work.
    Any other thoughts or troubleshooting ideas are greatly appreciated at this time while I wait until Friday for escalation to get back to me.

  • Windows 7 partition won't boot, hangs on black screen / blinking cursor

    Hi all,
    I just installed windows 7 home premium x64 on a new 100gb partition I made first with bootcamp assistant and then simply with disk utility the second time. I can't get windows to load however, it just sits forever at the black screen with blinking cursor at top left.
    I have tried the Bootrec.exe /Fixmbr
    bootrec.exe /Fix boot
    Bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
    fix that is floating around to no avail. The rebuildbcd command yields 0 copies of windows installed but still ends successfully.
    i have spent the majority of my day trying to get this to work and have no leads left anymore. Please help!

    I HAVE SOLVED MY PROBLEM! Windows is running excellently on my Bootcamp partition.
    Taking a few steps back: I used Bootcamp to remove the disk utility partition, then remade it also using boot camp assistant. Ran the windows install, and this time instead of hanging endlessly on black or going back to step 1 after restarting, the install went all the way. I had to restart once when the computer hung on "starting windows" but it got back on track right after this.
    I think I must've fudged something with Disk utility before.
    Thank you so much for your help!

  • Help! Laptop won't start up- startup repair goes to black screen!

    Hi! Just wondering if anyone can help me with my toshiba laptop C650-152! I was online yesterday when my laptop froze and in the end i had to turn it off by cutting the power source! Today I have tried to turn it on and It keeps going to a black screen with white writing which asks if I want to Start it normally or do startup repair! If I press start normally it gets me to the windows start up screen (with the coloured logo) but then gets stuck there. If i press start up repair it goes to a black screen with a White mouse cursor and gets stuck there too! I can use a laptop just fine but am pretty clueless when it comes to technical matters so if anyone could help explain what I should do (in laymens terms) it would be much appreciated!! Thanks in advance for your help! Beth

    To burn the disc from an ISO file, Beth, you may need a third-party utility depending on the version of Windows. I use the free BurnCDCC burning program from here.
       TeraByte Unlimited Freeware
    To use the disc do I just turn my laptop on..?
    Something like this. Turn the computer on, load the disc, turn the computer off, start it again and then press F12 to get the boot-priority men, select the optical drive, follow the instructions (like choose a language and a Windows installation), and you're on your way to the Windows Recovery Environment.
    Then will a menu appear so I can choose to do a system restore or do I have to search for it? Finally will doing a 'system restore' delete any of my saved data such as photos/music/uni work?
    All that was answered at the link I already gave you.
       What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?
    Click Show All. Under System Restore, click the links What is System Restore and System Restore: frequently asked questions. No data files are disturbed by System Restore.
    -Jerry

  • My daughters Ipod touch is disabled for 22,427,950 minutes.  Does anyone know how to fix this?  It also goes to black screen when in use, even when battery is charged.

    My daughters Ipod touch is disabled for 22,427,950 minutes.  Does anyone know how to fix this problem?  The screen also goes to black when using it, even if battery is fully charged.
    Thanks

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1212
    Basic troubleshooting steps  
    17" 2.2GHz i7 Quad-Core MacBook Pro  8G RAM  750G HD + OCZ Vertex 3 SSD Boot HD 
    Got problems with your Apple iDevice-like iPhone, iPad or iPod touch? Try Troubleshooting 101
     In Memory of Steve Jobs 

Maybe you are looking for