FAQ
TL;DR: One confirmed case here showed a 100% link to a failed HDD; “it’s hard drive fault.” Swap disks or run SMART to verify. [Elektroda, Freszek, post #16797891]
Why it matters: If Windows 10 hits the logo and then a black screen, fast HDD/S.M.A.R.T. checks can save hours of guessing. This FAQ is for Windows users seeing shutdowns, stalled restores, or black screens during boot/install.
Quick Facts
- Primary culprit observed: failed system HDD; replacement booted fine. [Elektroda, Freszek, post #16797891]
- Symptom pattern: Windows logo and spinning dots, then persistent black screen. [Elektroda, Freszek, post #16797548]
- Bootable toolkit suggested: Ultimate Boot CD → Parted Magic → Disk Health/Attributes. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16797911]
- Proper USB creation: write the image with Rufus, don’t just copy files. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16798092]
- Reported PSU: Litepower 500W, ATX12V v2.3 (system context). [Elektroda, Freszek, post #16797572]
Why does my Windows 10 PC show the logo and then a black screen?
Storage failure can block the kernel handoff after the logo. In this thread, swapping in another HDD restored normal boot. If your installer also stalls at the logo, prioritize disk health checks and boot from known‑good media. [Elektroda, Freszek, post #16797891]
How do I quickly confirm if my hard drive is the problem?
Do a swap test: connect another known‑good disk and try booting or installing Windows. In this case, the system worked immediately with a different drive, confirming the original HDD as faulty. “It’s hard drive fault.” [Elektroda, Freszek, post #16797891]
What’s the 3‑step way to check SMART health with Parted Magic?
- Boot from Ultimate Boot CD and launch Parted Magic.
- Open Disk Health and view SMART Attributes.
- Record a photo/screenshot of the attributes for review.
Use this flow when Windows won’t boot. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16797911]
My USB won’t boot—how do I make it correctly?
Write the ISO image to the USB with Rufus. Do not copy files manually. Select the ISO, target USB, and start. This produces a bootable stick that firmware recognizes. “Record the image on a pendrive with Rufus.” [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16798092]
System Restore ran for hours. Is that normal?
No. In this case, the restore ran about four hours with no progress before power‑off. That behavior aligns with underlying disk faults. If restore stalls for hours, stop and test the drive instead of waiting longer. [Elektroda, Freszek, post #16797500]
Can I repair a failing HDD or should I replace it?
If SMART shows critical attributes or the system only boots with another disk, replace the drive. You can try imaging for data, but relying on it for OS is risky. A clean system install on a good disk resolved the issue here. [Elektroda, 310artur, post #16799033]
What if even the installer hangs at the Windows logo?
That points beyond Windows files. Check storage first with SMART or a swap test. If the disk checks out, inspect GPU and PSU next as suggested in the thread. Use meter measurements and a test GPU to isolate faults. [Elektroda, 310artur, post #16797580]
What is SMART and why does everyone ask for it?
SMART is the drive’s self‑monitoring data, including reallocated sectors and pending sectors. Viewing SMART via Disk Health → Attributes gives objective failure evidence to share as a screenshot. It accelerates accurate advice. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16797911]
What is Parted Magic in the Ultimate Boot CD context?
Parted Magic is a live environment bundled in UBCD that provides disk utilities. Launch it from UBCD, then use Disk Health to read SMART. It’s ideal when Windows won’t boot and you need neutral diagnostics. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16797911]
How do I proceed if Parted Magic seems stuck while loading?
Allow several minutes for first load, then retry booting the USB. If it still freezes, recreate media and verify BIOS boot order. Persistent stalls can reflect deeper hardware faults, especially storage. Share any screens for review. [Elektroda, Freszek, post #16798169]
What should I do right now to get the PC usable again?
Install Windows on a working disk and return to the failed disk only for data recovery attempts. This gets you operational while isolating the fault. “Install the system on this other disk and that’s it.” [Elektroda, 310artur, post #16799033]
How do I boot from USB if the PC “doesn’t read what’s inside”?
Use a proper image writer like Rufus to create the USB, then select it from the boot menu. Simply copying files does not make it bootable. Rebuild the stick and try again. This resolved media issues in the thread. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16798092]
Could the power supply be involved in black‑screen boot issues?
Yes, unstable rails can corrupt reads during boot. The thread requested PSU make/model and suggested meter checks. If storage tests pass, validate PSU voltages under load or try a known‑good unit. [Elektroda, 310artur, post #16797580]
Is there a quick success path when time is critical?
Prioritize uptime: boot from known‑good media, confirm disk failure, then install Windows on a healthy drive. Postpone deep forensics. This approach restored service fastest in the thread’s resolution. [Elektroda, 310artur, post #16799033]
What screenshot should I share when asking for help?
Share the SMART Attributes page from Disk Health in Parted Magic. Helpers requested this exact view to judge drive condition and next steps. Clear photos speed accurate guidance and avoid guesswork. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16797911]
