Computer stuck on black screen

[z1ggy]

Turn my computer on and it goes to my Gigabyte BIOS menu screen (turned out I couldn't get it to go into the setup area by pressing Del or F3), beeps once , then goes to a black screen with a blinking underscore. Totally frozen at that point, and a restart or even a shut down results in the same thing.

I'm assuming it's either the mobo or HD, but I don't have any spare parts around to test either. Is my computer shot?

Specs: i3-2100, Gigabyte z68 mobo, GTX 460, and a 500GB HD which I honestly think is about 6 years old now... Probably the culprit.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You can try simply disconnecting the HDD's data cable, and see if you get a BIOS message about missing bootable media. You can probably get into BIOS that way too.

 

[z1ggy]

You can try simply disconnecting the HDD's data cable, and see if you get a BIOS message about missing bootable media. You can probably get into BIOS that way too.

Yeah I was planning on going inside to clean out all the dust and debris anyway to see if that somehow could help (maybe a small short somewhere?) so I will do that.

Say I get into the BIOS that way.. Then what? Alternately, what should I see if the HD is definitely messed up?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, you could boot a Live Linux distro (Mint or Ubuntu are popular), open the "Disks" tool (or "sudo gnome-disks" from a terminal prompt), and check the SMART data for that disk, and maybe run some self-tests.

 

[z1ggy]

Well, you could boot a Live Linux distro (Mint or Ubuntu are popular), open the "Disks" tool (or "sudo gnome-disks" from a terminal prompt), and check the SMART data for that disk, and maybe run some self-tests.

I'm not familiar with Linux really at all, so I will have to look up how to do that.

 

[z1ggy]

Also, if my HD is finished, is there a way to get any of the data off it to a new HD? I try to back it up to my external every few months, but I haven't done it in a while. Things like new bookmarks, etc I will want to pull off that device.

 

[Ketchup]

My initial thought is the same as VL, a drive connection.

If you can get into the BIOS with the drive disconnected, one thing you can try is swapping SATA cables and SATA ports on the board.

If you still can't get into the BIOS with the drive disconnected, you might want to try a CMOS reset.

 

[Ketchup]

Also, if my HD is finished, is there a way to get any of the data off it to a new HD? I try to back it up to my external every few months, but I haven't done it in a while. Things like new bookmarks, etc I will want to pull off that device.

One step at a time. Depends on how finished it is. Does it spin up when you start the computer? See if it will start with the drive unplugged, see if a different SATA cable makes a difference, and we'll go from there.

 

[z1ggy]

One step at a time. Depends on how finished it is. Does it spin up when you start the computer? See if it will start with the drive unplugged, see if a different SATA cable makes a difference, and we'll go from there.

Ok thanks, I will try this tonight. I don't have any left over SATA cables, so I will try another port on the mobo instead.

 

[lazybedone]

When a certain problem occurs to my laptop, I immediately run to my technician and ask him what is happening with my computer. Its the safest way I could do even if I spend money for it.

 

[Ketchup]

When a certain problem occurs to my laptop, I immediately run to my technician and ask him what is happening with my computer. Its the safest way I could do even if I spend money for it.

Sure, but that's not what this forum is about. If one can fix a computer problem without paying for a tech to do it, more power to them!

 

[dionasaur]

Also, if my HD is finished, is there a way to get any of the data off it to a new HD? I try to back it up to my external every few months, but I haven't done it in a while. Things like new bookmarks, etc I will want to pull off that device.

You could try a couple of things, such as getting a hard drive enclosure, or boot ubuntu from a CD/DVD and mount the hard drive to see if the drive isn't completely toast.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Its A Z68 mother board blinking line is the PLL over voltage, over night Cmos. Try flashing with the newest bios.

 

[z1ggy]

Guys, thanks for all your help!

So I unplugged my HD from the sata port. Computer told me to, and I paraphrase, "input a boot device that actually works". I tried plugging the HD into all the other spare sata ports, but none of that worked.

However, even with the drive unplugged I still couldn't get into the BIOS by pressing Del during boot up. I'll try to plug my keyboard into a different USB port or something but I don't think that matters.

Two Questions now based on what a few people have said:
1) How do I load anything anywhere now that my only computer is down. I realize I can boot from a CD (Linus, etc) but I have no means to download things because that desktop is my only machine, other than if you count my smart phone.

2)Same thing as above.. How do I update my BIOS if I can't get to the manufacturers website to download the files? Almost feels easier to just buy windows 10 in a few days and do a fresh start, then as long as the HD isn't toast, try and get some of my files off of it once my machine actually works again.

 

[Ketchup]

This is a tough one. Part of me wants to say that you have successfully narrowed down the problem to the hard drive, but it would be better if you can get into the BIOS.

What I would do - try different USB ports and make sure you can get into the BIOS. Go to a local retailer and get a hard drive (easy to return). Plug it in and see if it will let you install Windows.

Also, which model Z68 is this? Some of these did not have the Intel USB 3.0 ports, and therefore the USB 3.0 ports they did have could not get you into the BIOS. So make sure you are connecting the keyboard to a USB 2.0 port.

Edit: and if you haven't already, swap the SATA cable that goes to your hard drive and make sure that isn't your problem.

 

[z1ggy]

This is a tough one. Part of me wants to say that you have successfully narrowed down the problem to the hard drive, but it would be better if you can get into the BIOS.

What I would do - try different USB ports and make sure you can get into the BIOS. Go to a local retailer and get a hard drive (easy to return). Plug it in and see if it will let you install Windows.

Also, which model Z68 is this? Some of these did not have the Intel USB 3.0 ports, and therefore the USB 3.0 ports they did have could not get you into the BIOS. So make sure you are connecting the keyboard to a USB 2.0 port.

Edit: and if you haven't already, swap the SATA cable that goes to your hard drive and make sure that isn't your problem.

Yeah tonight I will ensure the keyboard is hooked into a USB 2.0 port. If I recall, after I did some cleaning one time, I plugged it into a port and could no longer get the keyboard to work during a boot menu, so there is a chance that might be the reason I can't get in.

Let's assume for a minute that is the case: Once I am in the BIOS, what am I looking to do?

I did not use a 2nd sata cable but I can swap out the one that's hooked into my CD drive.

Model I cant recall off the top of my head, I just know its an ASRock make. I thiiiiink it's the Z68 Pro3.

 

[Ketchup]

Getting into the BIOS would give us a better feeling about the board being OK. Then it is just a matter of having a problem with the drive. While you are in the BIOS, see if it is detecting your hard drive. Since it is pausing with the drive connected, and giving you a boot error when it is not, my hunch is that it is recognizing the drive, at least to some degree.

Either way, I would swap SATA cables. If that makes no difference, get a hold of another drive and see if you can install Windows with it. If it doesn't detect a new drive (acting the same as the old drive), it is probably a board problem.

If you can get into the BIOS, but it can't detect a new drive, you can get a hard drive controller card, assuming everything else works. But let's see how far you get, and go from there.

 

[z1ggy]

Sry guys, have yet to test things out again. However, I think that there's a pretty good chance my HD is donezo. I think I may go ahead and purchase a new SSD and try to toss Windows 10 on it.

I understand Win 10 will be free? How can I get this on a new drive given the fact I currently have no computer access?

 

[redzo]

Better figure out if the keyboard is working first. You need to be able to reach the BIOS config anyways. Does the keyboard's numlock led change its state(from on to off) when you repeatedly press the numlock key at start-up?
If it stays on or off all the time, it means that the keyboard is (1)malfunctioning or that (2)it is not initialized by the BIOS.

If you short the wrong usb port pins on any pc, you'll end up with a symptom close to yours. Most BIOS's that I've seen get stuck at the first BIOS post screen. This could happen due to faulty usb cables.

 

[z1ggy]

Better figure out if the keyboard is working first. You need to be able to reach the BIOS config anyways. Does the keyboard's numlock led change its state(from on to off) when you repeatedly press the numlock key at start-up?
If it stays on or off all the time, it means that the keyboard is (1)malfunctioning or that (2)it is not initialized by the BIOS.

If you short the wrong usb port pins on any pc, you'll end up with a symptom close to yours. Most BIOS's that I've seen get stuck at the first BIOS post screen. This could happen due to faulty usb cables.

Okay. I will make sure I put the keyboard in a USB 2.0 port tonight and try to get into BIOS to see if mobo recognizes the HD.

Just to be proactive and plan ahead, I'd like to get advice on a few what ifs.

1)Say I manage to get into the BIOS and the mobo recognizes the HD, but the computer still won't get past the blinking line?

2) Get into BIOS and HD is not recognized (assume at that point it means the HD is toast?)

 

[Ketchup]

Windows 10 is a free upgrade from Windows 7 and 8.1. On it's own, it carries about the same retail price as other versions.

As redzo and I have mentioned, you need to make sure the board will get to the BIOS. A new SSD is a nice idea, but won't do you much good if your board has gone south.

 

[z1ggy]

Okay, so I got my keyboard into a USB 2.0 port and as expected, I got into the BIOS. The BIOS recognized my HD because under boot device #2 it said "Hitachi HD...." so that tells me the cable is good and the mobo is good.

When I exited and saved, it went right back to the blinking cursor screen. Now what?

 

[Burpo]

You need a Windows install disc, and in bios set boot order to CD/DVD Rom first. Boot to the Windows install disc, and try a Repair to see if the MBR on the hard drive can be repaired..

 

[z1ggy]

You need a Windows install disc, and in bios set boot order to CD/DVD Rom first. Boot to the Windows install disc, and try a Repair to see if the MBR on the hard drive can be repaired..

I'll look for my old Win 7 install disk, but I moved between when I built this computer and now, so I'm guessing it was lost in the move.

Could I buy Windows 10 and still do the repair?

 

[Ketchup]

Burpo got it. Hopefully just the MBR is hosed. You need to fix an OS before you can update it.

You made it past the first hurdle though. Go ahead and get that SSD and enjoy!