Windows 7 boots to an unresponsive black screen with mouse cursor...

Hi,

1. Have you made any changes to the computer prior to this issue?

The issue (black screen) you’re facing could be related to drivers and could be resolved by updating the display drivers. Without the correct driver, the hardware or device that you want to use won't work properly.

To confirm the same, start the Computer in low-resolution video mode. This starts Windows using your current video driver and using low resolution and refresh rate settings.
This option is available in Advanced startup options.

To start you computer in low-resolution video mode, follow the steps below:
1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
2. Press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Enable low-resolution video (640×480), and then press Enter.

If the problem doesn't reappear in low-resolution mode, then the issue is driver related. You can resolve this by downloading display card driver from the manufacturer's website.

I’d suggest you to visit the manufacturer’s website and update the chipset, display and graphic drivers to the latest one for Windows 7.

Refer the links below for more details on updating drivers:

Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properly

Update drivers: recommended links
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Update-drivers-recommended-links

Also refer: Why is my screen black when I start Windows 7?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/why-is-my-screen-black-when-i-start-windows-7

Hope this helps.

Hello,

Thank you for the swift reply and for taking time to help me.

I tried starting the computer in low-res mode, but the same thing happened: the Windows logo comes up, then the black screen with a centered mouse cursor. I can move the cursor, but clicking does nothing and the pressing the keyboard keys doesn't do anything either. So there is no confusion, the screen is entirely black, with the exception of the mouse cursor. There is no task bar, no icons, nothing. A completely black screen.

I looked at the link to "Why is my screen black..." and it is not relevant to my situation. All the issues there assume one has some sort of interface with Windows once it boots. Again, I just get the black screen, nothing else. In the link, where people have a black screen, all the suggested fixes tell people to click on the task bar, or start in safe mode, or run regedit. I can't do any of those things with the computer in the state that it's in right now.

Do you have a suggestion for what I should try next?

Thanks again,

Nowg

I had the same problem. Luckily I have system restore setup to create a restore point every week, and the problem started the day after a new restore point was created. 

Restored the computer to the previous day and everything is fine now.

To get to the restore press and hold F8 as the computer is booting. Then go into repair tools and restore is in there