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Dell logo, then black with blinking white cursor
Hi -
Looking for some help here. Computer was working fine last night - I leave it running over night. When I woke up this morning, black cursor blinking, nothing else going on. I turned off the computer and restarted. I get the Dell logo and then back to the black screen with cursor blinking. I've seen some posts on here saying that F12 at Dell logo will give me a diagnostics option but I don't know what I'd be looking for once I get to that point.
Has this been covered on here in the past? How to solve?
Thanks.
Ryanh6178
670 Posts
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March 12th, 2008 13:00
Hi Ericalee,
I would go with the suggestion you already have. Pressing "F12" during the POST (Dell Logo) sequence will give you the "boot menu". If your hard drive is listed on the boot menu then attempt selecting it to see what happens.
The diagnostic option will start Dell Diags and allow you to test the system including the hard drive. Getting to the diagnostics is somewhat of a good thing anyway since it runs from the hard drive.
Also, I've had issues booting on many systems when I've left my USB key inserted. You may want to make sure you remove any USB drives or keys inserted while attempting this.
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
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March 12th, 2008 18:00
What is the computer model and version of windows?
Bev.
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Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.
ericalee
2 Posts
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March 12th, 2008 19:00
It's an Inspiron 531, Vista Business OS.
I actually think it's working ok now though. I turned it off when I went to work this morning, and my husband started it up a few minutes ago, and everything seems to be working fine now. Very weird.
I'll definitely repost if other issues arise - thanks for the help!
vj84
24 Posts
0
August 9th, 2008 20:00
Check out my post @ Resolution for Blinking cursor
Regards
Vejay Sarathy S
MCP VISTA
brmorris
13 Posts
0
January 26th, 2011 12:00
I was able to work around this issue in a Dimension 4700 by unplugging a Dell AiO printer. As long as it was plugged it -- it wouldn't boot.