Used msconfig to access safe mode. Black screen now.

[saltfever1955]

I used MS config to change to boot into safe mode on my PC. I did a restart. Now I can't do anything. It will not boot at all. All I get is a black screen. No Windows-no boot screen-no nothing. Not even the mouse. I can't boot from a CD. I tried. I've tried Con-Alt-Del. I've tried Power-Shift but there is nothing on the screen so no chance of restarting that way. After powering off (with power button) I tried to power on pressing the F8 key a gazillion times. Didn't work. Can't access CMD prompt. I've looked for a solution. No success. This looks pretty hopeless.

 

[androbourne]

What did you boot into safe mode for? What changes were made before you rebooted?

 

[saltfever1955]

What did you boot into safe mode for? What changes were made before you rebooted?

 

[saltfever1955]

My stopzilla kept sending notices of a trojan virus on my system...it was deleting files but I thought it must be recreating itself so I wanted to boot into safe mode in order to eradicate the trojan using instructions I had found. But on restart, there was nothing at all.

 

[androbourne]

(kind of important information to leave out of the original post...)

Can you find and post the instructions you followed?

 

[saltfever1955]

1. Use the System Configuration tool (msconfig.exe)

One of the easiest methods to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10 is to use the System Configuration tool. Many users know this tool by its executable name: msconfig.exe.

The fastest way to launch System Configuration in Windows 10 is to use the Run window. To do that, simultaneously press on the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. Then, write msconfig in the Open text field, and press Enter or OK.

In the System Configuration window, click or tap the Boot tab. In the Boot options section, select the “Safe boot” option. Finally, click or tap on OK.Windows 10 tells you that you need to reboot your PC for the new setting to take effect. If you still have work to do, you can select to “Exit without restart.” If not, you can restart now, and your device will automatically boot into Safe Mode.

 

[saltfever1955]

This was what I used for safe mode and it was all I did. Never got any further, as in even attempting to get rid of the trojan. Didn't touch the registry. I restarted as soon as I changed to "safe boot."

 

[saltfever1955]

Several years ago, we had some problems with this PC and Windows 10 and learned that booting into safe mode was not the easy task now as it was in Windows 7.

 

[androbourne]

What mobo are you using? (make/model)

 

[saltfever1955]

Dell XPS 8500

 

[androbourne]

Are you able to hit F12 during boot to get to advanced boot menu? Have you tried last known good or tried a system restore?

 

[saltfever1955]

I was not able to do anything last night. I actually thought the monitor might have died. But I left the PC on all night. When I checked it this morning, I was amazed to find it in safe mode. I couldn't find any of the files that the article on the Trojan removal had listed so I changed the boot options back to normal and restarted. Everything is working.

Thank you for your help.

 

[androbourne]

No problem.

I would still run a full system scan if I was you.

Run CCleaner and its registry cleaner

Run ADWare removal tool by Bleeping Computer

Run Malwarebytes

And run your choice of AV scans.

Just to be safe.