Final answer:
When faced with a black screen with spinning white dots, boot the computer in Safe Mode as the first troubleshooting step. Checking peripheral connections or performing a hard reset can also resolve the issue. Reinstall the operating system only as a last resort.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you encounter a black screen with spinning white dots after restarting your system, this is commonly an indication that Windows is having difficulty booting up properly. Here's what you can do next:
- Boot in Safe Mode: Restart your computer and repeatedly press the F8 key (or Shift + F8) as it boots up. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu, where you can select Safe Mode.
- Perform a hard reset: This involves turning off the computer by holding down the power button, unplugging it from power, removing the battery (if applicable), and then waiting a few minutes before putting everything back together and turning it on again.
- Check for peripheral connections: Sometimes external devices can cause booting issues. Unplug all USB devices, external drives, and other peripherals and try restarting.
- Reinstall the operating system: If the issue persists, this should be the last resort after backing up any important data. You will need a bootable USB drive or installation disk, and you'll have to restart your computer and use the boot menu to initiate the installation.
In this case, the most recommended next step would be to Boot in Safe Mode to diagnose and potentially resolve any software issues. If Safe Mode resolves the issue, it could be related to a corrupt driver or a recent software change. If the problem persists in Safe Mode, you may have to consider the other options.