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PC won't start with a black screen: Is Windows to be formatted?

Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member -  
fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   -
Hello,

I would like some help to restore my desktop computer.
My problem:
When I start my central unit, the screen remains completely black, not even the manufacturer's startup screen (HP) appears. Therefore, I cannot access the BIOS.
However, everything starts up: the internal hard drive, the fans (CPU, graphics card, and general), the indicators, and the CD drive are working...
I have tried connecting the graphics card via HDMI, DVI, and VGA to two functioning monitors, and still nothing.

I think the problem might be with Windows being bugged. The solution would then be to format the internal hard drive and install a clean version of Windows.
Since the BIOS is inaccessible, I logically cannot boot Windows from a USB stick. However, I have a SATA to USB adapter; is it possible to format and install Windows on the hard drive of the desktop computer from another PC?

Thank you for your opinions on the subject, and don't hesitate if you have other possible solutions.

15 answers

  1.
    fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062
     
    If you don't have any data to recover, reinstall directly with a USB stick

    Use the tool to create a USB stick to update, repair, or reinstall Windows

    https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/software-download/windows10/

    If you already have the Windows ISO file that you can download from the tool, you can create your USB stick with Rufus

    In MBR mode for BIOS

    Boot from it using the PC's Boot Menu

    https://www.malekal.com/liste-touches-acces-bios-boot-menu-constructeur/

    If you don't see it, you can search Google for "[Brand Model] Boot Menu Key"

    Choose "Custom Installation" (Not upgrade)

    No need to format if there is space, if there is data, it will be found in a Windows.old folder

    Install on the same partition, or alternatively, delete all system partitions and create a new one (This will delete the data).
    1
  2. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062
     
    It is VendorCoProduction Code 2.00

    It must be created in MBR mode for BIOS, not GPT for EFI

    (Unless your BIOS supports UEFI boot)
    1
    1. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
       
      I didn't go through Rufus but through the Windows assistance directly, so I didn't get an option for the MBR.
      When I boot from VendorCoProduction, it offers me to repair or install, but not a custom install, so I guess I should just go with installation?
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      1. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062 > Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
         
        Install, then continue and you can perform the custom installation.
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      2. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member > fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
         
        I am facing another problem.
        I did a custom installation, but when I have to choose the partition where to install Windows, I get the message "Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed on GPT disks."

        Is this related to the issue of creating the bootable USB in GPT instead of MBR or vice versa?
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      3. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062 > Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
         
        Convert the disk to GPT as written here:

        https://sostuto.com/convertir-mbr-gpt/1455/
        1
  3. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062
     
    Download the ISO using the tool instead of creating the USB stick

    Open the ISO with 7-Zip and click on Test

    Format your USB stick and test it with H2testw

    https://www.commentcamarche.net/telecharger/utilitaires/11535-h2testw/

    If "Test finished without errors"

    Create your USB stick in GPT mode with Rufus
    1
  4. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062
     
    Hi,

    We should test another graphics card; at least getting the basic BIOS display would indicate that it's not dead.

    The issue could be elsewhere, but that would be the first thing to test.
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  6. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    Hi fabul,

    Thank you for your quick response.
    Unfortunately, I don't have a second graphics card to test ...
    The video ports on my motherboard are sealed with metal and each port has an inscription saying "don't open it", which makes me hesitant to break the seal for fear of damaging something.

    Let me clarify the context of the issue a bit more. The computer running Windows 7 was working perfectly about 3 years ago. I received a Windows update prompt when I was shutting it down, and I accepted it. The next day, upon restarting, Windows could no longer boot and displayed rather significant error messages. The same thing happened on the second attempt. It was impossible to start Windows. Since the computer is not my main PC, I left it aside during this time. I am now trying to get it up and running again (even if it means losing all the data on it), so I tried to start it, and I got a black screen as explained in my first post.

    That's why I thought about formatting the hard drive and installing a "clean" Windows.
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  7. johnconorb Posted messages 89 Status Member 26
     
    We need to go step by step. In any case, it's nothing to do with the operating system.
    The causes: RAM, motherboard, graphics card
    Remove the RAM stick(s) and restart. Let us know if the PC beeps.
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  8. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    Hi johnconorb,

    I have two RAM sticks, I tried to boot with only one and then the other, and finally with none of them. The result is always the same with nothing on the screen, no BIOS.
    What do you mean by beep? When I start, there is indeed always a small beep, and then everything starts up as described in my first message.
    Thank you for your help.
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    1. johnconorb Posted messages 89 Status Member 26
       
      you need to remove both RAM sticks, start the PC without RAM. the motherboard will detect that there is no memory installed and will beep (type 2 short beeps followed by a long beep in a loop). if the fans are spinning but there are no beeps or any unusual lights then there is a problem with the motherboard (or the processor but much much rarer). In this case, you will need to turn off the PC and remove the BIOS battery (CR2032) from the motherboard and wait 15 seconds, put the battery back, reinsert the RAM sticks, and restart.
      make sure to follow the steps in order
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      1. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062 > johnconorb Posted messages 89 Status Member
         
        Hello,

        To clear the CMOS, in addition to unplugging the PC and removing the CR2032 battery, you also need to move a jumper or short the two pins next to where it says CLR_CMOS.

        For 10 seconds

        Then return the jumper to its normal position.
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      2. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062 > fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
         
        Also, check to test the battery to ensure it holds at least about 3V or to replace it.
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      3. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member > fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
         
        Hi fabul

        When you talk about the battery, are you referring to the PC's overall power supply or the CR2032 battery?
        If it's the power supply, unfortunately I don't have anything to test if it's delivering 3V...
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      4. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062 > Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
         
        The CR2032
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  9. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    Hello johnconorb and fabul

    First of all, thank you for your feedback.
    I started without the RAM sticks and the motherboard indeed beeped several times without stopping.
    Despite that, I did a clear CMOS by removing the CR2032 battery and changing the jumper positions, I put the battery back and returned the jumpers to their original positions and unfortunately still no BIOS displayed.

    Do you have any other ideas?
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    1. johnconorb Posted messages 89 Status Member 26
       
      So it looks like a graphics problem.
      Is the graphics card integrated into the motherboard (or rather into the processor) or do you have a PCI graphics card in your PC?
      If it's a PCI-E graphics card, you should remove it and connect to the motherboard port for testing.
      1
  10. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    As mentioned above, accessing the graphics ports on the motherboard was not easy (no star screws), but with a lot of perseverance, I managed to get access.
    I removed the graphics card (which is indeed a PCI by the way), connected my DVI screen to the motherboard, and it worked! So it is indeed the graphics card that is probably dead, thank you for your help!

    Two questions now:
    - I logically need to buy a new graphics card. The PCI slot on my motherboard indicates "PCIEX16", is that the criterion to meet in order to search for a compatible one?
    - Now that I have display, I am encountering my old problem mentioned earlier. Windows starts but with an error that occurred after an update. The screen indicates "Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause of this." Do you have any leads to solve this problem?
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    1. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062
       
      Start in recovery mode > Advanced options > Settings > System Restore > Choose another restore point...

      If you force shut down the PC 3 times by holding the power button, you should be able to reboot into recovery mode.
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    2. johnconorb Posted messages 89 Status Member 26
       
      Today, all graphics cards are PCI-E, so there’s no problem.
      For the second issue, follow Fabul's instructions; you need to start with that.
      0
  11. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    I accessed the system restore, the PC starts from there by default (Windows Rollback).
    I couldn't tell exactly what I did back then, but I had upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10 shortly before the crash.
    When I go to system restore, I now have three Windows 10 options and one Windows 7 option.

    When I choose the Windows 7 restore: "An unexpected error occurred: incorrect parameter (0x80070057)"
    When I choose the Windows 10 restore (the three give me the same result): "No restore point has been created on your computer's system drive."
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  12. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    I created my bootable USB drive with the Windows 10 utility you suggested, everything went smoothly.
    Except that the USB drive is not recognized in the BIOS boot menu.
    I'm adding a photo of the options I have; do you have any idea what the problem might be?

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  13. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    I'm making progress, I'm making progress... I have solved the issues with GPT.

    Now when I initiate the installation on partition 2 which is of type "Primary" and that I've formatted, the installation starts (I thought it was finally good ^^) but I get a new error message "Windows cannot install the required files. Ensure that all necessary files for the installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x8007025D"

    Any fabulous idea? (Thanks for your invaluable help with all the issues already encountered)
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    1. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062
       
      They are talking about an error for an upgrade

      A custom installation is not an upgrade.

      Delete the partitions and create a new one.
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  14. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    I deleted all the partitions using Diskpart and created a new one with Disk Management, but I still get the same error code during installation. I tried two other USB ports for the bootable drive and still the same issue.
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  15. Edouard5723 Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    Thank you Fabul for your help, it was indeed the bootable drive that had a problem.
    After following your last message to the letter, Windows was able to install, thanks again.

    I have one last question, is there a risk in keeping the display via DVI directly on the motherboard? Am I required to buy a graphics card?
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  16. fabul Posted messages 42136 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 062
     
    There is just that a graphics card is more powerful, that you can play more sophisticated games, and it also helps with certain graphic programs as well.
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