I was trying to install Linux Mint and opened the advanced startup or boot menu using a USB drive. I accidentally selected an option above the one I intended to choose, and now the computer powers on but only shows a black screen. The fans and lights are working, but nothing appears on the monitor. I'm new to this kind of thing—did I permanently damage my PC, or is there a way to recover it?
3 Answers
“Won’t start” can mean several different things. Since the fans and lights come on but the screen stays black, check that the monitor is on the correct input and that the display cable is connected to the graphics card or motherboard port you normally use. Also try powering the computer off completely, reconnecting the monitor cable, and starting it again.
It’s very unlikely that you physically bricked the computer. You may have changed the boot option or interrupted the installation. Try starting from the Linux Mint installer USB again and see whether you can reach the installer or recovery options. Don’t erase or format any drive until you know which one contains your existing files.
Try entering the BIOS or UEFI setup, usually by repeatedly pressing a key such as Delete, F2, F10, or Esc immediately after turning the PC on. Check whether your normal storage drive is detected, then choose the correct drive or the USB as the boot device. If the BIOS appears, the hardware is probably still functioning.
I’ll give that a try.