Black Screen on Boot

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you restart a Microsoft Windows NT x86-based computer, the computer stops with an empty, black screen immediately after the power-on self test (POST) is completed.

CAUSE

The master boot record (MBR), partition tables, boot sector, or NTLDR file is corrupted.

RESOLUTION

1. Create a Microsoft Windows NT boot disk to start the computer. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

         ARTICLE-ID: Q119467
         TITLE     : Creating a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition
   
      If you can start the computer without errors, the damage is limited
      to the master boot record (MBR), boot sector, or the NTLDR file. Once
      Windows NT is running, immediately back up any data of value. Use Disk
      Administrator to verify that partitions on the boot drive are the
      correct size. If there are invalid partitions, the best solution is to
      re-create those partitions and reformat the affected drives, then
      restore the data from the most recent back up tape. If the system
      cannot be started from a Windows NT boot disk, you will most likely
      have to reinstall Windows NT and restore from tape.
   
   

2. Run the latest virus scanning software to verify no virus is present. MS-DOS-based virus software is sufficient for this purpose, even if the file system is NTFS. MS-DOS-based virus programs can be run from an MS-DOS boot disk.

3. Ensure the master boot record (MBR) is valid. Boot from a virus-free MS-DOS version 5.0 or later boot disk with FDISK on it. Run the following command:

         FDISK /MBR
   

   WARNING: If your computer is infected virus, using the FDISK /MBR switch may prevent you from being able to start your computer. Before using the FDISK /MBR command, you should be certain that your computer is not infected with a virus.

4. If the primary boot partition is a file allocation table (FAT) partition, boot from an MS-DOS disk, perform a SYS C: command to make the drive MS-DOS bootable, and then perform step 5 to replace the Windows NT boot sector.

5. Run Windows NT Setup and choose the Repair option. Choose the Inspect boot Sector and Restore Startup Environment options. If the boot sector on the boot drive is corrupted, this should repair it.

6. If the system still fails to boot correctly, use Attrib.exe or File Manager to remove the file attributes from the NTLDR file located in the root of the system partition. Copy a new NTLDR file from the i386 directory of the Windows NT compact disk to replace the existing one.