black screen with movable white arrow

#1 sgantt11

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Posted 24 October 2009 - 12:37 PM

I have three computers that are running XP pro that begin boot-up, show the xp logo and green scrolling bar, then go to a black screen with a white arrow cursor that is movable--I have tried safe mode--same thing--have tried tp do a repair using the OEM cd--nothing helps, still can't boot.

This post has been edited by jgweed: 24 October 2009 - 12:40 PM
Reason for edit: moved post to more appropriate forum. jgw

#2 Delta16

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Posted 24 October 2009 - 04:42 PM

Does all of the 3 computers does that?

#3 AustrAlien

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Posted 25 October 2009 - 06:42 AM

sgantt11, on Oct 25 2009, 04:37 AM, said:

Having 3 computers all suffering the same problem/symptom at the same time, seems unusual.
Do you have any idea how did this come about?
When did this problem develop on each of the 3 computers? Was it at the same time?
Do you know if it was after a Window's update to all 3 computers?
Is it possible that all 3 computers were connected and all infected with malware at the same time?
Is there any relationship between the 3 computers? Same owner, or 3 different owners?
What brand the 3 computers? What OEM cd did you use?

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#4 hamluis

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Posted 25 October 2009 - 09:28 AM

If the 3 systems are networked...malware could conceivably create similar/same problems, IMO.

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#5 coldhandedman

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 03:06 PM

I had a customer bring in a system with this issue. It would not let me go into safe mode, last know good or anything. I ran a Hard Drive Diagnostic which showed no bad sectors. I attempted a windows repair which after the first reboot would go back to the black screen.

I ran UBCD (Ultimate Boot CD) and used a Registry Restore Tool. I restored the system's registry to 3 days before, and restarted the machine.

It came up into windows after that.

I then ran Malwarebytes which found 3 infections (including 1 in the local settings that seemed to be attributed to the registry change)

Before restarting the machine (Because Malwarebytes prompted a restart) I ran CCleaner and cleaned up the Registry and the general applications.

It restarted again and loaded into windows. I ran Spybot which didn't find anything.

Internet Explorer would crash upon opening, so I reinstalled IE8 on the machine. Now it works fine.

So, it sounds like there is a Registry change going on by a Malware/Spyware type infection.