Hardware·18,997 discussions

Windows black screen of death

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I am currently having a problem with my Windows XP operating system. I am receiving the error message, “Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press any key.”
I have unplugged everything but the master hard drive and CD player.
The computer will still hit and miss on the load up.
I checked the BIOS settings and found that the boot sequence has the hard drive missing or scrambled.
I have run into this problem in the past and just reloaded windows again. This time I would rather save the data and get it fixed.

Any suggestions? I have even tried loading windows onto a new drive but still get the error message every few times. All cables are plugged in and computer runs at a cool temp.

Topic

On the face of it

In reply to Windows black screen of death

it sounds like a memory or motherboard problem.
I am guessing that you are posting on a good pc, use that to download memory and system board diags for the specific unit you are having trouble with.

Also, we have a questions forum here which would be a better place to post your problem, best to you.

Replace the CMOS battery

In reply to Windows black screen of death

You don’t specify, but I suspect you have other errors you don’t mention (random date changes, for example). Your first action should be to replace your CMOS battery.

If that does not clear the problem, take the troubleshooting steps suggested by Michael J.

Troubleshooting Tips

In reply to Replace the CMOS battery

take the troubleshooting steps suggested by Michael J.

Linux

In reply to Windows black screen of death

I was able to fix the problem by loading a linux live disk. The problem was with the boot loader and just needed to be terminated.

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