Black screen, blinking cursor, OS won't load

[chuchip]

Hi,

I'm a newbie to the forum and am not technically proficient at all.

My laptop's a T42 Model 2373 6ZU with XP Pro.

When I try to boot up, all I get is the IBM Thinkpad logo and "to interrupt startup, press the blue access IBM button" message and then it goes to a black screen with the blinking cursor in the top left hand corner.

I am able to access the BIOS menus but don't really know what to do with them. The OS was installed for me by the vendor and I don't have any recovery discs.

What is the IBM pre-desktop area and can that be used to:

1) recover/backup my files
2) diagnose the problem
3) create recovery discs?

I had a virus warning before this happened and I forgot to schedule a boot scan before putting it on standby. The next time I switched on this machine I had this problem so I feel it may be related.

Any assistance would be appreciated - I really need to get it running again.

[RealBlackStuff]

Southbridge going South.
See The Board Room link in my signature.

[Neil]

Southbridge failure is certainly a possiblity. It's also possible that your MBR (Master Boot Record) has been corrupted, maybe by a virus. Best bet would be to boot some kind of live CD that contains MBR repair tools, and virus removal software. That way you may be able to check things out, and repair the damage without loosing any of your files. No names come to mind right now, but just search the web, and you will find several options. Would be wise to read up on the Southbridge issues with this series of Thinkpads as well, so you can start looking for other symptoms.

[poshgeordie]

Welcome to the forums

Start up the laptop at at the IBM welcome window press F12 to select the boot drive. If the Hard Drive appears in the list it's unlikely to be the Southbridge (SB) since the drive is recognised.

If it is present then if you can borrow an XP install CD (either Home or Professional) from a friend and repair the Master Boot Record (MBR) as in this link.

If the drive is not present then it's very likely to be an unsoldered SB and I'd definitely go for RBS's suggestion (see also my sig for same link!).

[Johan]

Best bet would be to boot some kind of live CD that contains MBR repair tools, and virus removal software. That way you may be able to check things out, and repair the damage without loosing any of your files. No names come to mind right now, but just search the web, and you will find several options.

One possibility is the free mini-XP from a Linux-CD. If you have access to another PC, you may download this file (it's about 400 MB), from e.g. here. The download contain a so-called ISO-file, which may be burned into a bootable CD... see how e.g. here.

Insert this CD in your T42, select the boot-order to be CD-ROM first (in the Startup --> Boot section of the BIOS; see BIOS simulator - ThinkPad T42/p with fingerprint reader), and then boot. Once booted, launch the mini-XP application and see if/how your T42 works.

Johan

[chuchip]

Thanks so much for the welcome and all of your suggestions.

The hard drive IDE HDD0: Fujitsu MHT2040AH-(PM is visible when I hit F12 so it seems it's not a Southbridge issue. That said, it's helpful that you alerted me to that possibility - it may come up down the road.

I'm going to try to burn and use this CD as suggested, but I need a couple of clarifications first please:

Insert this CD in your T42, select the boot-order to be CD-ROM first (in the Startup --> Boot section of the BIOS; see BIOS simulator - ThinkPad T42/p with fingerprint reader), and then boot. Once booted, launch the mini-XP application and see if/how your T42 works.

Just to confirm, when I burn this ISO image onto a bootable CD, is that what will contain the mini-XP application and is launching this application also aimed at rescuing my files?

Also, after I boot using the CD and then launch the mini-XP application, I was wondering at what point the virus removal happens and will that just launch from the CD automatically.

I am convinced this is virus related because it feels like it wants to launch Windows or something but is being strangled. If I recall correctly, the virus was a win32 virus/malware. I agreed for it to be moved to a chest and thought it was taken care of....

[poshgeordie]

I've always struggled with the download link in Hirens, so here it is. I know it's somewhere on that page but I'm blowed if I can see it!

Just to confirm, when I burn this ISO image onto a bootable CD, is that what will contain the mini-XP application and is launching this application also aimed at rescuing my files?

Yes, it will contain the mini xp and all the listed programs.

I've not used it myself but I guess Hirens will launch into some sort of Operating System which is held in memory (ie not on the hard drive), and you'll be able to run the programs on the CD, and maybe to run and possibly check or copy files from your hard drive onto a USB key.

Also, after I boot using the CD and then launch the mini-XP application, I was wondering at what point the virus removal happens and will that just launch from the CD automatically.

Run the CD. As I said before it doesn't touch your Hard Drive or any possible virus's on it so no probs there.

I'd then go to the Antivirus tools and run Malwarebytes but point it to your hard drive. If you're hard wired to the Internet (ie not wireless) and it gives you the option to update MWB then do it but I'd think you'll be OK with the version as it stands.

If it comes up with anything on the HDD, let MWB deal with it. and then try booting from the HDD (F12 at welcome screen).

If it boots as normal great. If it doesn't could you post any error messages so as we can suggest the best program to run on Hyrens.

[chuchip]

Appreciate the link and clarifications poshgeordie - had to ask because this isn't my area at all and I'm trying to avoid inadvertantly messing things up further.

Once I get my hands on another laptop and get this under way, I will post any error messages/questions that may come up.

Cheers.

(I couldn't find the download link initially either until I remembered the find feature )

[Johan]

I've always struggled with the download link in Hirens, so here it is. I know it's somewhere on that page but I'm blowed if I can see it!

Nick:

You'll find the download link in the (light-) green box below the section Updated software:

Filename: Hirens.BootCD.13.2.zip with the direct download-link being http://www.hirensbootcd.org/files/Hiren ... D.13.2.zip (copy and paste it into the address line)
Filesize: 400.49 MB (419944713 bytes)
ISO MD5: D53D67E4E026F0FFF129A244D4E0388C
ZIP MD5: E995C1E393DA709B6D85D4A553A6F3D9

Download the .ISO, burn it (you may also use the free tool ImgBurn for this purpose), boot using it. Once booted, select the "Mini Windows XP" application... there you'll have many, many utilities - see the complete list at Hiren's BootCD 13.2 - All in One Bootable CD which has all these utilities or Hiren’s BootCD 13.2. I just booted from this CD, on the T60 this is written on, and while I see a good bit of HDD activity (on the T60's HDD) during the boot, but I don't have the impression that Hirens Boot CD actually uses (writes data on) the HDD, but I couldn't find this assumption confirmed through just a few minutes of Google'ing... maybe someone here knows whether my belief holds true?

Nick, most honorable Sir ThinkPad: If you haven't the "Hiren's Boot CD" in your toolbox, and if you also don't know how to download it would you then allow me to burn and send via regular mail a free, copy to you? Really, it is a VERY useful tool, and it allows you to remotely help others - get it Nick, or get if from me, you choice!!

Best regards to both of you,

Johan

[poshgeordie]

Nick, most honorable Sir ThinkPad: If you haven't the "Hiren's Boot CD" in your toolbox, and if you also don't know how to download it would you then allow me to burn and send via regular mail a free, copy to you? Really, it is a VERY useful tool, and it allows you to remotely help others - get it Nick, or get if from me, you choice!! Johan

Johan, your Effulgent Lord of the Laptops many thanks for your kind offer, but I'll turn down your very kind offer and if I can't do it I'll ask my wife how to But if she doesn't know I promise I'll get back to you

I've often seen these tools but have used UBCD which is hard work to put together and I think not so good.

I'm in work today so will grab it there and have a look at it.

Going back to the OP's problems, which tools do you think he should try to get his HDD working again?

Kind regards to you too

[chuchip]

Hi,

I burned the CD and tried booting with it but nothing happened. It seemed like the T42 was trying to read it and couldn't or something. I made sure to change the boot order in startup so that the DVD drive is first. Could it be that the drive has been corrupted by the virus?

Not sure what to do now. Also, if it didn't read the bootable CD would it be likely to read a Windows recovery cd if I had/made one? I'm asking because when I called Lenovo when this first happened one rep suggested he would send me recovery CDs for XP and Vista (for a price). The latter so that I could back up my files since the XP recovery disc doesn't have that facility.

Thanks for the additional links and instructions Johan, and best to both of you.

P.S. I'm a she not a he

[Neil]

Did you definitely burn the disc as an ISO and not as a data disc? Do you have any other boot discs that you can try?

And, no, a virus cannot harm the optical drive.

[poshgeordie]

Did you use Johan's recommended program (ImgBurn) to burn the .iso file?

Another one is IsoRecorder.

Once you've donwloaded and installed the burner program, when you've loaded it change the burning speed settings to around X5 - ie burn it very slooooowwwwwwllllly - iso files can become corrupt when burnt quickly.

Also I guess you will have done this on another computer so you could test the burnt disk is working OK by running it on that machine.

[chuchip]

Did you definitely burn the disc as an ISO and not as a data disc? Do you have any other boot discs that you can try?.

Hmm...I was under the impression I burnt the ISO file - I specifically looked for it, but now I'm wondering. The CD lists 5 files: HBCD file folder, autorun, changes, HBCD menu, and HBCD. Clicking on the HBCD file folder opens up to a Wintools folder and a bunch of other files (I took a screenshot but I'm not sure if I can insert it here)

No, unfortunately I don't have any other boot discs.

And, no, a virus cannot harm the optical drive.

Ok, thanks.

[chuchip]

Did you use Johan's recommended program (ImgBurn) to burn the .iso file?

Another one is [url=http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm]IsoRecorder[/url

Once you've donwloaded and installed the burner program, when you've loaded it change the burning speed settings to around X5 - ie burn it very slooooowwwwwwllllly - iso files can become corrupt when burnt quickly.]..

No actually I didn't end up using it. I looked at the main page and hit the download tab but the pages are so busy I was unclear which download button is the right one (it says beta news) but I can try that again, or the other one you recommended - thanks for that.

I think the burner program I used was part of the Hiren's download - it seemed to burn the files very fast but I've never done this before so I don't have any basis for comparison

Also I guess you will have done this on another computer so you could test the burnt disk is working OK by running it on that machine.

Yes, the disc seems ok I think - I've listed the files in my post to Neil.

[RealBlackStuff]

Unzip the Hiren's download.
If you use ImgBurn, start the program, select "Write image file to disc".
Next screen, under "Source" click on the magnifying glass to select the source file (Hirens .iso).
Under "Destination" select your burner, keep the "Verify" ticked.
Under "Settings" select the "Write speed", 5x is a good medium choice if you don't know the burner.
When the blank CD has been inserted, click on the burn-icon on the left.
Enjoy.

[poshgeordie]

No actually I didn't end up using it. I looked at the main page and hit the download tab but the pages are so busy I was unclear which download button is the right one (it says beta news) but I can try that again, or the other one you recommended - thanks for that.

Ok, it's possible you have the wrong download link. I too have found it very difficult to find. This is the file you need: http://www.hirensbootcd.org/files/Hiren ... D.13.2.zip. It's just over 400Mb and is a zipped file.

Once you've downloaded it you'll need to unzip it, using for example winrar: http://www.rarlab.com/rar/wrar400.exe.

Install WinRar and when you go back to your downloaded Hirens program which you'll see it looking like a stack of books, right click it and select "Extract Here".
Hirens will unzip into a number of files and the one you need is Hirens.BootCD.13.2.iso

I think the burner program I used was part of the Hiren's download - it seemed to burn the files very fast but I've never done this before so I don't have any basis for comparison

I think you may have the wrong program. You will need to use either Johan's or my recommended free CD .iso burner to burn the CD, so you'll need to download either one, change the burn speed to X5 (very slow burn) and point it to Hirens.....iso.
I know if you use ISORecorder (IR) you simply need to right click Hiren...iso and select IR from the list, and IR will open and you can go from there.

Hope that helps. I'm giving all the steps to burn the program, not knowing how familiar you are with this sort of thing. Apologies if it sounds patronising, but it not my intention!

[chuchip]

Appreciate your responses RealBlackStuff and poshgeordie.

Ok, it's possible you have the wrong download link. I too have found it very difficult to find. This is the file you need: http://www.hirensbootcd.org/files/Hiren ... D.13.2.zip. It's just over 400Mb and is a zipped file.

I think we may have gotten our lines crossed there - I meant I couldn't quite make out which was the download button for ImgBurn. I did download the Hirens boot cd previously but decided to do it again from scratch just in case...

I think you may have the wrong program. You will need to use either Johan's or my recommended free CD .iso burner to burn the CD, so you'll need to download either one, change the burn speed to X5 (very slow burn) and point it to Hirens.....iso.
I know if you use ISORecorder (IR) you simply need to right click Hiren...iso and select IR from the list, and IR will open and you can go from there.

Hope that helps. I'm giving all the steps to burn the program, not knowing how familiar you are with this sort of thing. Apologies if it sounds patronising, but it not my intention!

I don't think you're being patronizing at all . It helps when the instructions are detailed.

I've installed ISO Recorder - it looks like the slowest speed is X10. I'm going to go ahead and burn it anyway - hopefully I'll get it right this time (the one I used last time is called BurnCDCC).

Thanks again.

[chuchip]

Just tried starting using the new Hiren's boot cd. It's not opening - starts off with a whirring sound like it does normally and then a clicking. When I had another virus previously, I couldn't get any DVDs to play but once I got rid of it, the drive worked fine.

I was going to order the recovery discs but when I called Lenovo back the 2nd tech said he thought it might be the hard drive.

Thanks for all your suggestions and walking me through the steps regardless - this is a great forum.

[RealBlackStuff]

Remove the hard disk, then try booting from CD again.

[chuchip]

Remove the hard disk, then try booting from CD again.

If you mean physically remove the hard disk (I think you do) that is way above my pay grade - I honestly don't know what it looks like. I'm wondering though, would it be good enough if I move it out of the boot order list in setup? Thanks.

[chuchip]

I decided to try that - removing the hard drive from the boot order list in setup - and it once again goes to the blinking cursor/underscore.

After some time, the message below came up and it seems like it just loops around - goes back to cursor and then the message comes up again. Not sure what cable they mean - is it related to the optical drive?

Intel (R) Boot agent GE v1.2.17
Copyright C 1997-2003, Intel Corporation

Intel (R) Boot gent PXE Base Code (BA1217BC)
Copyright C 1997-2003, Intel Corporation

PXE-E61: media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel Boot Agent

Operating system not found


I was going to get a new laptop in a couple of months. Think it's time I bring that forward.

[chuchip]

Just a quick note to thank everyone for taking the time to make suggestions and walk me through them. I especially appreciate it because I know it's tedious when dealing with a newbie.

Even though this particular problem hasn't been resolved, I'm glad I asked because I now have a great bootable CD that I bet will come in useful.

I got a warranty w/the laptop and it's still good for a few months so I will just send it in to get looked at, though I'm still getting a new one.

Best to all of you.

[RealBlackStuff]

FYI: to remove the hard disk, just turn over the laptop, remove the 1 screw from the hard disk cover, and pull out that hard disk cover (the HD itself is attached to the cover)
This is what that HD cover looks like: http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Set-IBM-ThinkPad ... 0456779604
You can't miss it.
Send it in under warranty, get as many things replaced as you can think off.

[chuchip]

RealBlackStuff,
Thanks for the image and explanation - that helped a lot. I removed the hard disk and tried rebooting from the cd but no dice so I'll send it in for repairs. Yes, I think they may need to replace the optical drive as well if all the clicking is any indication.

(As an aside, I found handling the hard disk a bit fidgety and a tight fit to replace - it made me wonder how any tech guys with great big paws manage to do these kinds of things . At least I know how to now).

[RealBlackStuff]

Oops, I forgot to tell you that the lid should be opened a little bit.
What I normally do after removal of the cover screw, is turn the laptop over again, open the lid a bit, slide the laptop (with the HD-part) a little bit over the side of the table/bench and then pull the HD out towards me, grabbing the HD cover from underneath.
To put it back in,I normally set it (with the lid ca. 60 degrees open) on the short sides and push the back HD in from above.
Done it so many times, that I don't even think about it any more.
And even ham-fisted people can pull that HD out.
Women especially should watch not to break a nail during this operation.

[chuchip]

No problem RealBlackStuff - I couldn't remove it at first, but came across some instructions on the Lenovo Support site as well so it worked out. And good point about breaking nails - don't care for long nails myself but I asked for that one . For sure, I too think it's experience that makes the difference.

[cadillacmike68]

Chuchip, did you ever get this resolved. The "no operating system" message is most likely from the attempt to boot the CD, because when you try to boot normally from the HDD you get only a blinking cursor. Thast's what you would get if the machine gets down to the HDD in the boot order. Anyway, sending it for warranty repairs was the smartest thing to do - saves you a lot of $$$, at the expense of re-install your apps & data files.

What was the size of that HDD in the T42??