Hi deblem,
The blinking cursor appears when
the system is trying to boot from an external device or the boot sector is
corrupt. You can try to disconnect all the external devices such as USB drives,
printer and external hard drive. Reboot the computer. Please ensure there is no
SD card or a DVD inserted.
You mentioned that you ran a
hardware scan through F8. What option was selected to run the hardware scan?
You can also try to run the hardware diagnostics (ePSA) by following these steps:
Turn off the computer. Press and hold 'Fn' key, press the power button, release the keys simultaneously.
If the test fails, please share the error code and the validation code with me.
If the test completes without errors, you may have to perform PC Restore which will fix the boot sectors.
Note: PC restore will lead to data (pictures, documents, programs, music) loss. Please perform a data backup prior to this step. Please disconnect any external peripherals as well.
To perform PC restore:
1. Restart PC, press <F8> when the Dell logo appears.
2. Advanced boot options menu will appear, push the down arrow until 'Repair your Computer' is highlighted, then press Enter.
3. Windows is loading files screen appears. Wait for it to load.
4. System Recovery Options prompt appears. Specify the language and keyboard input that you want, and then click 'Next'.
5. Log in as a user who has administrative credentials; select the username from the drop-down list, type the password and click OK
6.Choose a Recovery Tool Window appears, select Dell Data Safe Restore and
Emergency Backup.
7. The Welcome screen will show 2 options; Restore computer and preserve my new or
changed files and Select other System Backup and more options. Select the second option (Select other System Backup and more options) and click Next.
8. The next window shows these options; Backup Files and folders and Restore my computer. Select 'Restore my computer'.
9. Select the Factory Image and click 'Next'.
10. The next window shows 2 options; 'Preserve new or changed files before restoring to selected System Backup' and 'Restore without preserving new or changed files'. Select the second option (Restore without preserving new or
changed files) and click Next.
11. A prompt appears stating that your computer is about to be restored all data currently on your computer will be deleted and replaced with your selected Full System Backup. If an Emergency File & Folder Backup was created, it will still be saved in the location you selected. Click 'Yes, continue' and click Next.
12. PC restore will initiate. Once done, click Restart.
13. Follow the onscreen instructions to create a user account.
You can also refer to this video for the steps: PC restore
Please reply if you have any questions.
Thanks and Regards,
Manpreet C
#iworkfordell
<div>I bought this Dell Inspiron N5050 laptop about a month ago. Everything has
been fine. No new softrware, no new hardware, I have not made any changes to it
at all. I turned it on yesterday and after the Dell logo, it went to a black
screen with a blinking cursor on top left.
I turned it on and off a few times
with no change. I finally got into the diagnostic screen (F8)and it did a
thorough scan of all hardware. It came up clean. I shut it off and turned it
back on again and Windows finally came up. I then did a scan of all windows
files and that came up clean. After that I did a system restore and didnt have
anymore issues with windows booting up and loading the rest of the day. Then about 45 mins ago I
turned on the laptop and AGAIN the black screen came up with the blinking
cursor. I have no clue what else to check. I could call the place where I bought
it from and Im sure their crack team would most likely find the problem only
after giving up the laptop for 2 weeks which is what i was trying to
avoid.
I've had alot of computers with every kind of problem there is. Never
seen this.</div><div>Any ideas what the cause is and how to fix?
</div><div>I have Win 7 home premium V 6.1.7601 X64 </div><div> </div><div>PS: I created a recovery disc weeks ago per MS instructions that will NOT
boot.</div>

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