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Well, I must have been logged out before I could post. Here goes again:I have an old Dell Dimension desktop that came with WIN XP installed. After backing up my files, I successfully installed WIN 7 and reinstalled my programs. I was updating the drivers (using "Driver Detective") when a driver installation required a restart to complete installation. I restarted normally, but the screen came up filled with noise (not exactly random...looked like columns of noise about 2-3cm wide over the entire screen). I could use the mouse to move a vaguely visible square filled with the same noise, but couldn't find anything hidden in the noise to click on. I had to force a shutdown and started up again hoping the problem would disappear...it did not. I forced shutdown again and restarted in Safe Mode. Windows did open this time and I selected an earlier restore point thinking this would correct the problem. I restarted normally, but had the same problem. I had to force shutdown again and restart in Safe Mode, but unfortunately now I have the black screen. The cursor is visible, but unblinking, and moves with my mouse. I've forced shutdown several times, trying a different option each time. These include trying to go to system restore before the WIN logo appears, rebooting from the WIN 7 disk and later from the original Dell WIN XP operating system disk, and going into the BIOS to change the boot priority to the CD drive and trying to reboot from the WIN 7 or WIN XP disks. Nothing works. I check for beep codes...no beep. The Dell diagnostic lights are all green and the power button is steady green. I've checked the cables and the computer has not been moved. I'm at a loss. Should I consider this computer to be "toast" and get a new one or can someone think of some other solution?
You said
The cursor is visible, but unblinking, and moves with my mouse.
Is this still right? Are you seeing a mouse arrow or a cursor?When you are at this stage did you try to press CTRL ALT DEL to get into task manager? If you can start task manager then you should start explorer.exe.It sounds like the driver installation has caused a problem...The installation was fine until you had to install a driver and restart...? What about removing some components and starting the computer...For example if there was a problem with the cd drive and you removed it the computer might start...Also the video card...I would also change the hard drive and see if you can get it working then...this will prove that it is not the computer...
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