Member Avatar for masstechteach

My new build will POST but then I get the blinking cursor on a black screen.
I am running an Intel E7300 on an ASUS P5Q ATX board with 4 GB of RAM and a 430 PS.
I hooked up my CDRW and it works when the computer starts and then I can't open it after about 20 seconds. So it won't read my ASUS disk.
I can get into the BIOS.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jon

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Thanks to for the original details and to , and for the early suggestions. The replies already point to the usual suspects (boot devices, RAM and isolating peripherals). The following checklist expands those ideas with practical, low-risk steps to pinpoint the fault and get a working installer or OS boot.

  • Try a true minimal boot: one memory module, CPU, GPU (if needed), PSU and the drive you intend to boot from. Remove all other drives, cards and front-panel USB devices. A successful POST here narrows the problem to the removed components.
  • Verify the install medium is actually bootable: test that DVD/USB on another machine or reburn the ISO as a bootable disc/USB. If optical media is unreliable, create a bootable USB using the vendor tool.
  • Check drive wiring and mode: for IDE devices confirm master/slave jumper settings; for SATA use the primary SATA port and try changing SATA mode in BIOS to IDE/Compatibility if the installer does not detect drives.
  • Clear CMOS and load BIOS defaults, then confirm the single drive is listed in BIOS. If you changed display cards, set the primary display init to the correct slot.
  • If the BIOS shows a drive but the machine stops before loading an OS, the bootloader/MBR may be missing. Boot from recovery media and run the OS repair tools (for Windows, bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot).
  • Check power: ensure all drive power connectors are seated and consider testing with a known-good PSU if possible.
  • Update BIOS only if a vendor release specifically fixes boot issues and follow the vendor procedure exactly.

Useful refs: Microsoft install-media guidance (Create installation media), AHCI/compatibility info (AHCI), and the motherboard vendor support pages (ASUS Support).

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Member Avatar for caperjack

My new build will POST but then I get the blinking cursor on a black screen.
I am running an Intel E7300 on an ASUS P5Q ATX board with 4 GB of RAM and a 430 PS.
I hooked up my CDRW and it works when the computer starts and then I can't open it after about 20 seconds. So it won't read my ASUS disk.
I can get into the BIOS.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jon

hi,have you install windows yet !

I don't get this part

I hooked up my CDRW and it works when the computer starts and then I can't open it after about 20 seconds

when its open put the disk in and reboot ,make sure that the cdrw is first boot device ,in the bios , or boot sequence

Member Avatar for masstechteach

I am able to open the drive, put in the disk and close it and then I restart the computer and nothing happens, but the disk is spinning. I do have the CDRW to start up first in the BIOS. This is the second drive I've tried the disk in.
Can't get to Windows install because of the drive. I tried that disk too.

Member Avatar for The New Normal

To make things simpler, try taking out all the RAM except for 1 stick.

If you're confident, have a look at the RAM settings it's detected to ensure it's detected the correct speeds and voltage.

Do you have a graphics card? If so, set the 'init-display' in the BIOS to PCI-E.

Member Avatar for loki_

when you c that little white cursor flashing it means that it is trying to find a boot device, what you need to do is pull out all of you ide and sata devices(turn the pc of first) then turn it back on and c waht the error message says!? if any thing changed then you should get a message saying "operating system not found or boot device not found" if you do get this try connecting one device at a time and turning the pc back on, if you do not get the same messages after connecting a device then you know what device is the problem!? also try updating your bios as ive had this problem before(the pc maybe new but the boards bios might be a couple of versions behind).

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