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Pressing the F8 key on the Windows logo or tapping the F8 key just before the logo will bring up the Windows advanced options screen. This screen will have the non-GUI options like safe mode with command prompt or command prompt (Windows XP, Me & 2000 will not have the command prompt option only the Safe mode with command prompt option would be available).
Once at the command prompt the Scanreg utility (scanreg/restore) in the Windows >> command folder can be used to restore Windows in case of Windows 98. The rstrui.exe (%sysdir%\restore\rstrui.exe) utility can be used incase of Windows XP.
Few antivirus software's, provide options to boot to the command prompt to run a virus scan to identify and remove any potential viruses.
The black screen after the Windows logo can also be caused due to video driver failure. The drivers may need to be reinstalled or updated from Safe mode.
If none of the above steps work, the last possible resort would be an operating system reinstallation.
