Windows xp, after update we get a blinking cursor

Have you tried booting into safe mode or Last Know Good Configuration?

It will not boot that far

Is this a problem with a windows update? We have 2 machines within the last week with this issue

Please check this link for helpful things to try:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26464680/Tried-to-Fix-BootMgr-Error-and-got-NTLDR-is-missing-crap.html

Suggestion only

Recover console and chkdsk?

 If you are not reaching "Safe Mode" selection menu ...we are left with very few options.

-> Set BIOS to Factory Default
-> Note Hard drive is getting recognize in Bios
-> Set the Boot sequence 1st as Hard drive
-> Remove USB device in use....Use only PS2 Keyboard and mouse.

If no luck with above...
-> Remove drive and fix on to different pc on Secondary port.
After entering into windows via "My Computer"  use  drive "error checking" utility ....try "Automatically fix file system error"....etc.

If still no hope....than take backup of your drive and Format and reload windows.

the funny part is i reloaded the one and put all data back on and itunes and restarted and did the blinking cursor again.  so i will do a virus scan on it now and am going to try the post about missing ntldr and see if i get anywhere

I have tried fixboot, fixmbr and bootcfg /rebuild and none still wotk.  Tried partition table doctor with a fixboot and nothing.  Any ideas? I guess i will just reload windows again?

Oh also checked if the partition was active by hooking up hd to another computer and set the right partition as active but when it loaded i got a couple weird letters and did not boot. Ndid all those fix commands and still blinking cursor. Cannot get to f8 menu for any other options?

We have a special software  called easy recovery by ontrack to test hd. It has proven to be great.  So we will try that

so i reloaded windows step by step.  i put all the customers data on it and restarted. did all windows updates on xp and restarted a couple times.  then i installed itunes and restarted and it bluescreened with a 0x0000007e.  i then did a windows repair and have a blinking cursor again?  please help

Sounds like a bad hard drive. Have you ran a disk check using either Ontrack or a manufacturer utility to check for errors?

>> then i installed itunes and restarted and it bluescreened with a 0x0000007e.

Can you roll back to before iTunes?  That seems to be the beast that has blown up the machine both times.

hd has passed my ontrack software.  i cannot get it even to the f8 menu now?

Test the hard disk as suggested with manufacturer's util.

If that passes then do the reinstall and back up the hard disk to an external medium before you even think about iTunes.

Ok

Got my answer