Windows boots to black screen with underscore.

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windowsMe

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Nov 21, 2016
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I am transferring important files from a Windows Me desktop PC to another (newer) PC. I was finishing transferring files today, when I accidentally tripped over the power cord and unplugged the PC from the wall. After plugging it in again, the screen showed a Dell screen like it always does. Then, the computer showed a black screen with an underscore in the upper left corner. After about 10 minutes, the computer booted to a Windows Me screen, then kept on "loading." I restarted the computer, unplugged all devices, and repeated. The only new hardware addition today was a keyboard port converter, which I removed. I don't know much about computers, so sorry for the long post. The computer is a Dell desktop Windows Me.
Thanks in advance.

Edit: I can get to the "Setup BIOS." The machine was working this morning, but suddenly quit. I realized that I hit some of the keys near the top of the keyboard when I was putting the USB keyboard in after putting the converter in.
 
Solution
Ethanh100
The menu you saw with safe mode and normal mode is sounds like the boot menu for windows. see if you can get back to that, and select normal. Otherwise it is pretty hard to diagnose, especially because i dont know exactly how this motherboard works, and I suggest calling up dell.
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Ethanh100

Ethanh100

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Jun 10, 2014
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If it has a flashing underscore with a otherwise black screen, it usually menas there is no bootable media. Your system is likely trying to boot off the wrong disk. Press the button that is prompted at the Dell screen to get to the boot selection menu, and try all the disks there. If there is success with one of those, go into the bios/uefi settings and change the default boot device to that.
 
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windowsMe

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Nov 21, 2016
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How do I select a disk? I press the "del" button to get to the BIOS menu, but then where do I go to try the disks?
Thanks for help.
 
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windowsMe

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Nov 21, 2016
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I tried going to the "Boot" menu. I saw a list of disks. There was "Floppy," and 3 other disks. Then there was one called "Disabled." I tried selecting a disk, but all that did was remove it from the list. How do I select a disk?
(sorry for all the questions. I don't know much about computers.)
I tried all the F keys - F1 thru F12.

 
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Ethanh100

Ethanh100

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Jun 10, 2014
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Was this boot menu within the bios settings? if so thats not what you want, and you want to re-enable all those boot options. Try spamming the f12 key rapidly right away after you press the power button, and keep doing it until it gets to the menu.
 
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windowsMe

Commendable
Nov 21, 2016
28
0
1,540



This was within the bios settings. I re enabled all the boot options by pressing F9. I hit all the "F" keys, but I got a "Keyboard error" on startup. The Del Key goes to the BIOS menu. When the computer boots up, it shows a list of hardware. It said on the bottom of the list
Fixed Disk Maxtor
ATAPI CD-ROM. Is it trying to boot from the "CD-ROM?" How do I get to the startup menu?
Thanks
Also, I tried to get to the Startup Menu yesterday I pressed all the F keys, the Ctrl key, and the ESC key. I left the room and came back 10 minutes later. The startup menu was there (this was yesterday). Is it the one that says "Safe Mode" Normal Mode, and a lot of other options?


Edit: Sorry to sound impatient, but I need those files. Thanks in advance.


 
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Ethanh100

Ethanh100

Honorable
Jun 10, 2014
1,208
1
11,965
The menu you saw with safe mode and normal mode is sounds like the boot menu for windows. see if you can get back to that, and select normal. Otherwise it is pretty hard to diagnose, especially because i dont know exactly how this motherboard works, and I suggest calling up dell.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
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