X201 Won't Boot: Blinking Cursor

Hello,
This is my second post on this topic. The system in question is a brand new X201 Tablet PC, quad core. I purchased it specifically because Lenavo has full support for XP - I have been telling others how great Lenavo is about XP support - drivers, OEM utilities, everything fully working and supported on XP. Lenavo even has a Intel Turbo Boost "driver" for XP so it does not show as a "yellow bang" in the Device Manager. I appreciate all this.
Now, the problem: When I insert my XP boot drive, the BIOS will not boot off of the drive. The BIOS does access the drive and can see it/test it properly. I have tried this with the same system image using both an SSD and a mechanical drive, so I know it is not a drive issue. It is also not a driver issue, I actually have the necessary AHCI drivers installed on my XP installation, and I also tried it with SATA set to compatibility mode.
The same XP drive works just fine on any other computer - including Sager desktop replacements, Alienware m11x, HP TX2Z tablet, among others. Re-installing everything is NOT an option, this production XP image has been used since 2007 and has seen countless hours of installation, application configuration, and many other settings that would cost more in time than the amount paid for the X201 Tablet.
The BIOS does not even "bother" to read the boot sector or something. I really need this working. Is there a fix for the BIOS? Is there something that needs to be done to the XP drive (NOT a new install, but an EXISTING install) to fix it? Please, help! At the very least, if this issue cannot be resolved, I am hoping Lenavo will authorize a full refund on my system. I have all original parts and packaging. The system, as of this writing, is under 24 hours old.
Mimar

I've got 3 X201s that really act funny when it comes to working with the PE recovery partition and my PE utilities. In order to get them to boot Preinstall Environments we change the SATA configuration to compatibility in BIOS once we have done what we need to do in the PE we have to change them back to AHCI to boot into the pre-installed operating system. You might try changing this setting and see if it makes a difference for you.

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Won't boot, blinking cursor, F8 doesn't work

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chkdsk c: /f /r /b and sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows -- neither found any errors.
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bcdboot c:\windows /s c: -- tried with and without the "/s C:" and tried deleting C:\boot first. Neither had any effect.
Backed up and deleted all partition table entries other than C: (note, this system didn't have a System Reserved partition). Repeated bootrec and bcdboot commands. No change.
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Here is output from bcdedit /enum all after all of this:
Windows Boot Manager
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=C:
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-us
inherit {globalsettings}
default {default}
resumeobject {59817a93-ab6a-11e4-81b4-b2a3ade99c7a}
displayorder {default}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 30
Windows Boot Loader
identifier {4c074127-ab63-11e4-ba2c-b38857316e7a}
device ramdisk=[C:]\Recovery\211dc182-3aa3-11e1-9c1c-99ac330a77
26\Winre.wim,{4c074128-ab63-11e4-ba2c-b38857316e7a}
path \windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows Recovery Environment (recovered)
locale
osdevice ramdisk=[C:]\Recovery\211dc182-3aa3-11e1-9c1c-99ac330a77
26\Winre.wim,{4c074128-ab63-11e4-ba2c-b38857316e7a}
systemroot \windows
winpe Yes
Windows Boot Loader
identifier {default}
device partition=C:
path \windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows 7
locale en-us
inherit {bootloadersettings}
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \windows
resumeobject {59817a93-ab6a-11e4-81b4-b2a3ade99c7a}
nx OptIn
detecthal Yes
Resume from Hibernate
identifier {59817a93-ab6a-11e4-81b4-b2a3ade99c7a}
device partition=C:
path \windows\system32\winresume.exe
description Windows Resume Application
locale en-us
inherit {resumeloadersettings}
filepath \hiberfil.sys
Windows Memory Tester
identifier {memdiag}
device partition=C:
path \boot\memtest.exe
description Windows Memory Diagnostic
locale en-us
inherit {globalsettings}
badmemoryaccess Yes
EMS Settings
identifier {emssettings}
bootems Yes
Debugger Settings
identifier {dbgsettings}
debugtype Serial
debugport 1
baudrate 115200
RAM Defects
identifier {badmemory}
Global Settings
identifier {globalsettings}
inherit {dbgsettings}
{emssettings}
{badmemory}
Boot Loader Settings
identifier {bootloadersettings}
inherit {globalsettings}
{hypervisorsettings}
Hypervisor Settings
identifier {hypervisorsettings}
hypervisordebugtype Serial
hypervisordebugport 1
hypervisorbaudrate 115200
Resume Loader Settings
identifier {resumeloadersettings}
inherit {globalsettings}
Device options
identifier {4c074128-ab63-11e4-ba2c-b38857316e7a}
ramdisksdidevice partition=C:
ramdisksdipath \Recovery\211dc182-3aa3-11e1-9c1c-99ac330a7726\boot.sdi

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I'd like to get Windows working again and then restore the Linux stuff. At this point I am probably just going to do a fresh install, but I would love to know what can go wrong and cause this. MBR, PBR, C:\bootmgr and everything in C:\boot have been re-created
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Won't Boot -- Blinking PowerLED of Death

Hi,
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This problem also happened to me. Last week, I awoke to the blinking power light... Tried rebooting and no luck. Several times.
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W510 won't boot (blinking lights syndrome) - solved...

Hi,
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Both of these wereearlier true for me.

Hi and welcome to the forum!
Sounds like the OS has corrupted, if I were you I would press ThinkVantage Button on boot and see what are my options to repair the OS. You should save your data in case you plan to do a factory restore, RnR has options like "Rescue files" which allows you to put your files on an external drive.
However, in case you aren't using lenovo preload, then you can use XP disc to do a repair installation, you would need to set SATA to Compatibility mode in the BIOS for the HDD first (press F1 to enter the BIOS on lenovo logo -> Config -> SATA -> change the setting to Compatibility -> Save before exiting the setup), when you're in the BIOS, be sure to make the optical drive as first boot device in there, too.
Following are some guides on repair installation:-
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#RI
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm
As for the battery, once you're successful in restoring Windows, try battery reset, to do so launch ThinkVantage Power Manager -> Switch to Advanced Mode -> Battery -> Battery Maintenance -> Perform a rest.
Also verify if your battery falls under following firmware update by tallying the FRU number (which can be found in the Power Manager):- http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-75738.html
Let us know how things go.
Maliha (I don't work for lenovo)
ThinkPads:- T400[Win 7], T60[Win 7], IBM 240[Win XP]
IdeaPad: U350
Apple:- Macbook Air [Snow Leopard]
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Old mini won't boot; blinking indicator

Hi all...
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You can find information on what the blinking light means by clicking here
According to the document your mini is unable to find any working RAM. It is possible that it has simply become dislodged, but RAM does fail.

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I HAVE SOLVED MY PROBLEM! Windows is running excellently on my Bootcamp partition.
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Black screen with blinking cursor while trying to boot from Win Install CD

I'm running Leopard with all updates on a brand new MacBook Pro.
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Try resetting the PMU. See link here.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7188736
I tried everything mentioned previously (in this thread AND the link thread) and the PMU reset (shutdown, pull out power cord and other cords, wait 30 seconds, plug back in and restart) let me continue to install windows after partitioning the HD. Good luck!

Boot Camp: Early 2011 MacBook Pro boots to black screen with blinking cursor after windows 7 installation.

I bought and downloaded the windows 7 ultimate edition 64 bit iso, then proceeded to perform a correct burn to a DVD one at the slowest speed and one at the fastest. all went well. so I open Boot Camp assistant and follow the instructions to the letter, downloaded the driver support to the flash drive. partitioned my drive with more than enough room 150 gb. its starts its install. I get through everything seamlessly where I put in my info all with the exception of my activation code. yet it still continues to finalize the install and does another restart. boots back up to either A. black screen saying press any key to boot to my install disk. B. if I take it out just a white curser. also I read it may be because I had the flash drive in while I was trying to boot so I removed it as well, same result. any input would be much appreciated.

Boot Camp- Windows installation boots to black screen with blinking cursor.

Windows 7 64-bit black screen and blinking cursor for ages before boot

Help!
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Thanks a lot!

Solved! Here's what worked for me, it's located at:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11567814#11567814
(scroll further down, Option 3, you'll see one or two others had success with it too)
Message was edited by: rapture_elk

Windows 7 on Boot Camp stuck at black screen with blinking cursor... starts up fine in Parallels desktop

Hi,
Recently my dad's Windows 7 (Ultimate 64-bit) on his Mac Pro has stopped working. It gets stuck at a black screen with a blinking cursor. I've waited at least five minutes and it doesn't do anything, I have to power it off.
However it starts up perfectly fine and intact in Parallels desktop. If I insert the original installation DVD and boot from the Disc that says 'Windows' it will boot into the partition and work fine, unless I press a key to boot from the DVD.
I find both these things to be strange. The partition is backed up, which is fine, but I'd rather not have to re-install it if possible.
I have booted from the DVD and tried to repair the disk. It said it found a problem with something related to startup and that it needed to restart to repair it. I clicked yes, and then held alt/opt and (I think wrongly) booted back into the disc rather than the Windows partition. However it now says that it can't detect any problems.
In the repair my computer section when booting from the DVD, it detects the OS as Windows Vista Business. I followed these steps I found online:
Fixed! Peroblem was I think using OEM, which Bootcamp advise against using... they advise to use retail only. Fixed like this:
1. Put the Windows 7 installation disc in the disc drive, and then start your computer.
2. Hold down Option key till all available disks are displayed and select DVD. Press a key when you are prompted.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then 4. click Next.
5. Click Repair your computer.
6. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
7.In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
Type (these commands are safe)
Code: Bootrec.exe /FixMbr
Code: Bootrec.exe /FixBoot
Code: Bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd
*Press ENTER after each command.*
*Restart your computer.*
Done. Rockin'
FixMbr was successful, as was FixBoot. However RebuildBcd reported that it found no Windows installations.
Does anyone know what could be wrong here? I should note that recently I removed the drive Windows 7 is installed on and put it back in. Also Windows Updates probably have been done by my dad. Not sure if they could be the problem.

Cult, welcome to the forum.
It sounds like you have a failing power supply unit (PSU). This will cause the symptoms that you describe. If the computer isn't getting enough power, it can cause numerous problems. You can try disconnecting any unnecessary components to see if it will boot. Here is a guide to help you troubleshoot the problem.
Please click "Accept as Solution" if your problem is solved.
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Blinking cursor and Satellite C850-1NU does not boot up

Hi
I did something really stupid!
Recently I installed ubuntu on My toshiba laptop. During a part where it was downloading things, I turned my laptop off because i thought it was frozen. I turned it back on, but all there was was a black screen with a white flashing "_". I put in an old Windows XP disc to see if i could install it but, still nothing happened.
And the laptop came installed with Windows 8 x64 if that helps.
Do I need to buy a new BIOS chip, or what?

Hi
The issue is not related to BIOS problem.
The blinking cursor in the left upper corner can appear due to faulty HDD or RAM malfunction.
It can be possible that you damaged the HDD booting partition due to the shutdown.
But this is easy to check
You should power up the unit and press F2. Now you should access the BIOS.
Now in case the HDD is OK; you should see the HDD on the first BIOS page with all the HDD details. In case the HDD is visible in BIOS, you should go to next step.
Next step: try to reinstall the system again.
In case you want to install an Linux or another Windows system you have to disable firstly the secure boot option in BIOS. Also you have to switch from UEFI to CSM mode. This is also part of the BIOS settings.
After that you could boot from CD or USB flash stick in order to reinstall the system

Re:blinking cursor -- will not boot up

cpu --- intel (r) atom (tm) cpu Nz80 speed 1660 mhz - built-in HDD/ssd:toshiba MK2555GSX-(s1) total memory
1024 mb bios version v1.60
i think my son watched a movie and added on an viewer that erased the original drivers...now hd is gone and needs to be restored. attempted several times going to f12 and changed configurations back to original default settings and pressed f9 to save and f10 to exit.
also attemped hdd recovery mode and there were to options to restore when pressing f8 advanced -- computer locked up; left overnight to see what happens and error message keeps referring to check cable. have reboted with ac adapter and without (only blinking cursor) attempted to take out battery but unable to unscrew and attempt to use only ac adapter...
i know nothing else -- any tips will be helpful or it goes to local guy that hopefully can do a recovery....
Solved!
Go to Solution.

got the toshiba recovery disks today (2). sorry but i'm still having trouble with this process.
steps to recovery
1. place the disc into the drive - Toshiba mini starter notebook does not have a drive.
2. power up the computer while holding down the "C" key
release the "C" key when the screen reads Toshiba
3. the computer will format the hard drive and install the factory image. follow all instruction on the screen
4. Once the process is complete remove the recovery media and press any key to restart your computer.
I went out and purchase a Male to Male connector to transfer files. Got one file in back of hard drive that has cd/rom drive and one on side of mini notebook. Press and held down "0" to get to boot menu. There is no choice to select, DVD drive or Flash Drive to highlight so that either one will know who to communicate with to make the
transfer. (ex: transfer recovery mode disks from d drive to c: drive on mini notebook).
upon inserting Recovery disk in d: drive; screen pops up that says AutoPlay open folder to view files from DVD drive E removable disk instead of getting selection here to transfer files on d drive to c:mini notebook.
Do you know what the problem is? please help if you can...I will be waiting.
thanks fixmeup

MacBook Pro won't boot at start. I get a white screen with a blinking folder with a question mark in the middle. Any ideas?

MacBook Pro won't boot at start. I get a white screen with a blinking folder with a question mark in the middle. Any ideas?

Read this article...
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Booting Windows 7 in Boot Camp shows a black screen with a blinking cursor

I am trying to restore a DMG image of a Windows 7 Boot Camp partition back to Boot Camp. (I know that I should have used Winclone, but I didn't have that option because the drive was already dying and so I couldn't even access OS X anymore.)
So far, I've gotten to the point where I can start up the computer, hold Option, choose Windows, but then when it boots up, it shows a black screen with a blinking cursor.
I've tried a few things so far to try and fix this, none of which has worked. I have used the Windows 7 install DVD to run `bootrec` and all its possible arguments. I've ran `chkdsk C: /b`. I've also used the "Automatically fix startup problems" button, of course, as well.
Anyone know what else I could try to fix this?

Already tried those steps. Did not work. I finally fixed the problem by using iPartition and running "Write MBR Boot Code" and then renaming the Windows 7 partition and hitting "Go". The latter step causes iPartition to fix any problems that might exist in the partition. After renaming it, I just renamed it back to what it was before. (It was "Windows 7", I renamed to "Windows 7-02", then renamed it back to "Windows 7" afterward.)

Brand new Macbook Pro Boot Camp boots to blinking cursor

I have a brand new Macbook pro running Mountain Lion and Boot Camp 5.0. I have made the disk needed for drivers and support and stuff. Installation looks like it was successful. It gets up through making an account and setting up windows update stuff (never gets to the desktop). After that it says preparing desktop followed by logging out followed by shutting down. It then restarts over and over again to a black screen with a blinking cursor. Anyone have any ideas? I have seen stuff about booting to the win7 disk and selecting repair and then command line to repair the boot efi stuff but since it never has a successful boot it never has a build to repair to. I am frustrated after 7 different installs of windows and a lot of time wasted.

I should add that I went as far as downloading a trial of parallels and imported by boot camp partition. It booted fine but when I tried to install the drivers and support files I got a message that said this version of boot camp is not meant for this hardware. I was thinking if it was hanging on something I could boot into it using parallels and fix it. No dice.

X201 Won't Boot: Blinking Cursor

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