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Get the fix for the error <strong>black screen that appears at startup</strong> on <strong>Windows Vista </strong>and<strong> Windows 7</strong>.
<h2>About "<strong>black screen that appears at startup</strong>"</h2>
[kbintro]
<h3><span id="Description_and_Symptoms">Description and Symptoms</span></h3>
The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.
<h3>Symptom 1: B<strong>lack screen that appears</strong> on startup</h3>
Windows 7 can display a complete, blank black screen when you boot your computer. The causes can be multiple ones: a video adapter issue, some recent driver updates you may have done or new Windows updates.

This error appears regardless if your computer is a desktop PC or a laptop. Other users with HP laptops and computers with Windows 7 reported that this error occurred after a recent Windows update.
<h2>Causes of this Error</h2>
This error has been known to occur as a result of one of the following causes:
<h3>Cause 1: System files are damaged</h3>
The hard drive's file system may become damaged because of disk write errors, power outages or virus attacks. If that's the case, the operating system cannot find the required system files to boot properly and the loading process is halted.
<h3>Cause 2: An outdated driver is installed</h3>
Another possible cause of this error is an outdated driver. This may happen after a Windows upgrade/downgrade, or Windows Update that ended incorrectly.
<h2>Fixing “B<strong>lack screen that appears at startup</strong><span id="Fixing_8220Fatal_INT18_Boot_failure8221_on_Windows">” on Windows</span></h2>
[setupcd]
<h3>Fix #1: Use Easy Recovery Essentials</h3>
[easyre error="black screen that appears at startup" bootscreen="vista-7"]
<h3>Fix #2: Boot the PC in Safe Mode</h3>
You can boot into the Last Known Good Configuration to repair it.

Here are the steps to boot into the Last Known Good Configuration mode:
<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>F8</kbd> repeatedly until you see the list of boot options</li>
 	<li>Choose <strong>Last Known Good Configuration (Advanced)</strong></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> and wait to boot</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4699" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/LGC1.png"><img class="wp-image-4699 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/LGC1-1024x768.png" alt="Last known good configuration screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> Last known good configuration screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #3: Boot into Safe Mode and update Driver Software</h3>
Boot into Windows Safe Mode first by pressing <kbd>F8</kbd> repeatedly after you restarted your computer. After you select "Safe Mode" from the Options menu, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Go to the Start Task Manager by right-clicking on the task bar</li>
 	<li>Go to the Processes tab of this Manager</li>
 	<li>Find and click on <code>explorer.exe</code> and click <strong>End Process</strong> to terminate it</li>
 	<li>Then click on File and choose New Task (Run)</li>
 	<li>Enter <code>explorer.exe</code> in the Open box and then click on the OK button</li>
 	<li>Go to the Start Button and enter <code>device manager</code></li>
 	<li>Search results will appear, choose <strong>Device Manager</strong></li>
 	<li>At this step, double-click on <strong>Display adapter</strong> and then right click on your display device</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Update Driver Software</strong></li>
 	<li>Follow the steps in Drive Software Wizard</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4700" align="alignnone" width="800"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/Update-drivers.png"><img class="wp-image-4700 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/Update-drivers.png" alt="Device manager screen" width="800" height="600" /></a> Device manager screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #4: Access System Restore with a recovery disc</h3>
This solution method will only work if you have System Restore enabled on your Windows 7. Here are the steps for accessing System Restore from an installation disc:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows 7 install disc</li>
 	<li>Press a key when "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD" message appears on your screen</li>
 	<li>Click on <strong>Repair your computer</strong> after selecting a language, time and keyboard method</li>
 	<li>Select the drive where you installed Windows (usually <code>C:\</code>) and click Next</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>System Restore</strong> from the System Recovery Options box</li>
 	<li>Follow System Restore instructions to select a restore point</li>
 	<li>Restore your PC by clicking Finish</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4701" align="alignnone" width="800"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/System-Restore1.png"><img class="wp-image-4701 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/System-Restore1.png" alt="System Restore screen" width="800" height="600" /></a> System Restore screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #5: Run Startup Repair</h3>
<ol>
 	<li>Insert your Windows install CD</li>
 	<li>Press any key when you see "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD"</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> after selecting your language, time and keyboard method</li>
 	<li>Select the drive of your Windows installation and click Next. The standard drive is usually <code>C:\</code></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Startup Repair</strong> and wait for the process to finish.</li>
</ol>
<h2>More Information</h2>
<h3>Linked Entries</h3>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/advanced-boot-options-menu/">Advanced Boot Options menu</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/safe-mode/">Safe Mode</a></li>
</ul>
[partial name="partial_moreinfo" versions="vista,7"]