How to Fix a Black Screen with a Non-Blinking Underscore in the Upper Left Corner

A black screen accompanied by a non-blinking underscore in the upper left corner usually indicates a problem with your PC during the booting process. This guide will walk you through several steps to troubleshoot and potentially repair the issue, ensuring you have a functioning computer again.

Check Your Connections

Ensure that all cables are securely connected, including the power cable and display cables (HDMI, DVI, or VGA). If you are using a monitor, make sure it is powered on and set to the correct input source. This basic step can often resolve the issue if connections were loose or not properly set.

Restart Your Computer

Perform a hard reset by holding down the power button until the PC turns off, then turn it back on. A simple restart can often clear temporary glitches and allow the system to boot correctly.

Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings, usually by pressing F2, DEL, or ESC during startup. Verify that the boot order is set correctly, with your primary hard drive listed first. Incorrect boot settings can lead to the system not being able to find the operating system to boot into.

Disconnect External Devices

Unplug any non-essential peripherals, such as USB devices and external hard drives, and try booting again. External devices can sometimes interfere with the boot process, causing the system to fail to start.

Boot in Safe Mode

If you see the Windows logo but it doesn’t proceed, try booting into Safe Mode:

Turn off your PC, then turn it on and repeatedly press F8 or Shift F8 until you see the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select Safe Mode and see if your computer starts. Safe Mode can help identify whether a specific driver or hardware conflict is causing the problem.

Repair the Boot Configuration

If you have a Windows installation or recovery disk, boot from it and select Repair your computer. Choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and finally Command Prompt. In the Command Prompt, run the following commands in sequence:

bash bootrec /fixmbr bash bootrec /fixboot bash bootrec /scanos bash bootrec /rebuildbcd

After running these commands, restart your computer. These steps can help repair the boot configuration and restore proper booting.

Check for Hardware Issues

If the issue persists, it could indicate a hardware problem such as a failing hard drive or motherboard. Check your hard drive and RAM:

Reseat the RAM sticks and check for any loose connections. If you have multiple sticks of RAM, try booting with one stick at a time to determine if a specific RAM module is causing the issue.

Reinstall Windows

As a last resort, if none of the above steps work, you may need to reinstall Windows. Make sure to back up your files if possible, as this will erase your current installed operating system and all associated data.

Conclusion

If you have tried all these steps and the problem remains unresolved, it might indicate a more serious hardware issue. In that case, consulting a professional technician would be advisable. Professional diagnostic tools and expertise can help pinpoint and resolve the underlying issue.