I've been using my windows server 2012 for more than a year with no issues. Today I booted it up only to have it get stuck with a blank black screen with no mouse cursor. It happens right after the windows logo. Normally it would say "Press ctrl+alt+del to begin" after the windows logo to login in with my credentials, but it gets stuck with a blank screen. hard drive light does not blink at all after the blank screen appears. any ideas on how to get it back up and running? edit 3/29/2015: so when the blank screen appears, no amount of button pushing will do anything... I cant access anything. same thing occurs when I try last known good config. repair from installation disc doesn't do anything. don't have a backup, shame on me. remote desktop protocol doesn't work because it cant find it. edit 3/30/2015: I was able to bootinto Directory Services Restore Mode and did chkdsk /r and sfc /scannow. neither fixed the problem. although when I tried to log into my account, it said "There are currently no logon servers available to service the logon request" so I logged in using the Administrator account. is it possible to reinstall windows server 2012 essentials without losing all my data? I currently am using storage spaces across 5 discs?
Boot 1) To a last known good configuration 2) From installation DVD or USB and try a repair If both methods are not working, then restore the system if you have a backup
Go to another computer on the network and use RDP "Remote Desktop Protocol" to logon to the server. You will need the ip of the server and administrator password. If you have a video card then try another video port, unplug your hdmi if connected too. It might be starting then jumping to the hdmi or another port. Check you bios make sure it is set to the correct video either onboard "If that is all you have" or PCIx or whatever it is calling your pcix16 port. Hope this helps....
I had the same problem with some old version of startisback. If you have it installed, open task manager (ctrl-s**t-esc or ctrl-alt-canc) and run appwiz.cpl From there uninstall Startisback.
If Dell or HP server, can try to access via management card ( Dell is iDrac, can't think of name of HP one at moment). Had same symptoms after Video driver update.
if you have a video card with dual dvi you just need to "play" with windows+P combination, this is come from my expirience on my server 2012 r2, this solve my video problem,
At work we have Intel server boards running on Asus 1080p displays. The Matrox/emulex drivers don't like this combo & always give us a blank display until we reboot & run this system up on a lower resolution.