black screen during boot

[geddoe1027]

this is really strange and just started happening recently, but whenever i start my pc, i get a black screen with a flashing "-" in the top left corner. to get it to boot i have to open my pc case, and the second i open it, it goes right to the windows xp loading screen. i have one of those flat pc cases that opens with the two buttons on either side. i've also noticed that the xp loading screen takes a minute to load, as opposed to the 10-15 seconds it used to take. someone please tell me what's going on, thanks.

pc specs:
pentium 4 - 2.4GHz
512 RAM
windows XP home sp2

 

[hobo218]

The black screen with the flashing "_" should be compleatly normal.
I get it on both my computers and they have no trouble booting.

 

[enouwee]

this is really strange and just started happening recently, but whenever i start my pc, i get a black screen with a flashing "-" in the top left corner.

Depending on the mainboard, that's indicating POST (Power-on self test) activity. As long as your PC does a single, short beep, everything is fine.

to get it to boot i have to open my pc case, and the second i open it, it goes right to the windows xp loading screen. i have one of those flat pc cases that opens with the two buttons on either side. i've also noticed that the xp loading screen takes a minute to load, as opposed to the 10-15 seconds it used to take. someone please tell me what's going on, thanks.

The more applications you install, the longer it takes to start Windows. If you added a lot of programs, the additional time might be perfectly normal. But just to be sure, you should scan for virus and other malware.

 

[geddoe1027]

this can't be normal because i'm STUCK at the black screen. the only way it gets the the xp loading screen is if i open the pc case.

 

[enouwee]

this can't be normal because i'm STUCK at the black screen. the only way it gets the the xp loading screen is if i open the pc case.

Take a look at the temperatures in your BIOS with the case being once open and once closed.

Are all the fans still rotating fine? No excessive dust inside the case? No weird smell?

 

[geddoe1027]

it could be one of those, but i find it strange that it loads the second i open the case.

 

[enouwee]

it could be one of those, but i find it strange that it loads the second i open the case.

You got a P4 CPU in that box. These got an overheat protection. So, as soon as they get a little bit too hot (say > 75°C), they automagically reduce their clock speed. Noticeable effect: everything gets muuuuuuch slower.

Or don't you just not wait long enough for the system to start?

 

[Miz]

Well Overheating can easily be countered because if this starts happening I say should turn off your computer and let it cool down
Make sure your A/C is on as well that could help cool it down
Make sure your fan is also working or how many fans you have in your computer I have like 3 so check them all

For Dust,

Keep your computer away from the air vent (On the ground not on the roof)
Also might way keep it off the ground

 

[geddoe1027]

i was once sitting in front of my pc with this black screen for 10 min to see if it loads. but once i open the case then its smooth from there. before all this happened, my pc usually started in 30sec. this just started happening recently so i doubt it's a simple overheating or dust problem.

 

[Miz]

Actually it could be a dust problem my computer broke because of it one day it was working fine the day before so you never know.