After Installing Windows 10, black screen with cursor

During the install of windows 10 from windows 8.1, I left my alienware x51 unattended for an hour. When I returned, the screen was black with a movable cursor on the screen. 

Help would be greatly appreciated as I really need this fixed asap. Control+Alt+Delete does not work.

Thanks in advance

Answer
Answer

Use whichever method works to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 or 10.   If none of the other methods work it may be necessary to create a   Recovery drive or  Create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC to boot using the  BIOS Boot Menu Key, choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, then on second screen choose Repair Your Computer   
 
 

In the Advanced Startup options try (in this order) automated Startup Repair, System restore, then if necessary from Startup Settings try to get into Safe Mode with Networking, or lastly Safe Mode.   
 
   
  From Safe Mode w/Networking work through the Windows 10 Install Integrity Checklist.   
 

If Safe Mode doesn’t work or help stabilize things then return to  Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 or 10.  Next try Command Prompt  to run Checklist repair commands including sfc /scannow, to see if it will repair and start, or  do a Reset Windows 10.  

There are additional steps here for Troubleshooting Windows 8 and 10 Failure to Start - Microsoft Community
   
 

Better yet do the vastly superior  Clean Install Windows 10 following the steps in the link to delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest.  After install reactivate with your Product Key, automatically from embedded Product Key if a factory install,  or if free Upgrade has already activated. Activation in Windows 10 - Windows Help.   
 


 At any time you can  Rescue Files when Windows Won’t Start.
 


 

If these fail you can try to run Factory Recovery from it’s hotkey at boot; find yours by googling the “PC make/model + Run Factory Recovery.”    Factory Recovery methods    
 
  
 

Feel free to ask back any questions and keep us posted on how it goes.     
 

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Last updated December 31, 2023 Views 206,273 Applies to: