Windows Vista Black Screen! Help!

[cynatnite]

Earlier today we had a sudden power shutoff. The desktop was on when it happened and I told the family to just leave it alone. When I got home tonight I started messing with it.

All I get is a black screen. I tried accessing the BIOS. The screen is on for less than a second or two and then it goes black. I've tried other ways, but the screen keeps going black.

Is my computer history now? I'm really desperate. And no, I didn't back up. :(

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. Try plugging in a different monitor

You want to test to see if the problem lies with your computer itself or with the monitor.

[cynatnite]

4. Doing it now. Thanks. n/t

[Renew Deal]

9. This is good advice.

I was working in NYC after the 2002 Blackout. We lost 10+ CRT monitors from that. Power problems can make a mess of your equipment.

[Jkid]

2. Oh crap.

Is my computer history now? I'm really desperate. And no, I didn't back up.

This is not good, not good at all.

[Electric Monk]

3. Time machine and a UPS?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply


/I don't do windoze

[Better Believe It]

5. Try this and let me know how it goes.

Last Known Good Configuration

I’m going to walk you through booting Windows Vista using its last known good configuration. Since Windows Vista reverts to a previous version of the registry, you might lose data that was worked with since your last successful boot.

Make sure your computer is powered down.

Turn your computer on and immediately start pressing F8 on your keyboard repeatedly until you see a black screen with white writing that gives you a list of boot options.

Use the down arrow on your keyboard to select the Last Known Good Configuration (Advanced) option.

Press Enter on your keyboard and cross your fingers.

[napi21]

7. Not nice, but I HAD to laugh when you said cross your fingers!

All the years I worked with an MIS Dept. and all they EVER told me was "NO PROBLEM!" I honestly thought that was a phrase taught in Computer 101 and no computer Geek ever said anything else!

BTW, I have my fingers crossed for the guy with the black screen! I've been to what I've thought were disaster situations before and I have that same sinking feeling for him right now.

[cynatnite]

8. Well, I changed monitors and that got me a picture...

Only this time I'm getting repair messages and all that. Hopefully this isn't completely bad. *crosses fingers*

[Renew Deal]

10. Try the least aggressive repairs.

Safe mode, chkdsk, last known good, etc... It sounds like you'll be OK.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

6. You may want to crosspost in the computer group.

They're pretty active there, unlike some of the other special interest areas.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242

[cynatnite]

11. Update: Well, it's the fat ugly monitor I'm using...

But it'll suffice until I get another one. The computer itself is good.

Thanks everyone!

[woo me with science]

12. Yay.

I like a happy ending. :)

[Bitwit1234]

13. I kinda think it is the monitor also that's what ours did.