First, it seems that different reason can cause this problem. My solution may not work for you.

Symptom:
1.Black screen after the green progress bar, before Vista Logo.
2.Mouse can move.
3.Ctrl+Alt+Del doesn't work.

Solution:
1.Reboot the machine
2.Keep hitting F8.
3.Choose 'Repair your computer'. 'Last know good' didn't work for me.
4.The first choice should be repair boot process or something the like. I tried. It found nothing.
5.Then I tried the second one, which should be system recovery or something the like. The one guarantee your documents will not get touched. I restored to something a couple days ago. It works good for me.

Root Cause:
I guess the reason is related to multi-account. I was trying to access files in another user's folder when I was in my account. Then windows gave some error message and tried to restart. When I restart, I got the problem.

I Have The Same Problem The Best Solution Is To Sue Microsoft - Till Then Send To The Authorised Tech - I Am Waiting For Results

Good luck with the first one. From what I've seen from reading most of these is the PC's in question don't have enough "horsepower" to run Vista in the first place. Just because you PC has a "Vista ready" sticker on it don't necessarily mean it can run it.

PS: I use the term Horsepower because I'm used to talking to my Dad that doesn't understand MHz, RAM & GB. Plus I think the term fits.
Just my 2 cents

__________________
FATBOY

That assumption is false about horsepower. When I had the problem, it was on a computer that had a Core 2 Duo E6420 (2.14 GHz), 2 GB Ram, and Geforce 7900 GS (factory overclocked). I highly doubt that my computer lacked the horsepower to run Vista, especially considering Vista was running fine on it for a few months.

It may have happened on some computers that lacked in power but it's definitely not confined to weak computers.

Ya, exact same problem, it has happened to me before.
I am screwing around on the net, watching a movie w/e then out no where the computer stops working, everything stops responding then I get the blue screen telling me windows is shutting down to save my computer. I turn the comp back on and the Chkds or w/e runs, deletes files and what not, then the loading screen followed by a black screen with a mouse pointer...
Please help...safe mode does NOT work, none of the boot options nothing.
It is a new comp...an Insipron 1525 Special Edition.
Seriously if Microsoft is going to make an OS at least have them make it right ffs...

I'm currently having the same problem with a Dell Inspiron 1525. I'll try some of these solutions..

I had this problem this morning with Vista!!

SOLUTION : from my tech guy at Toshiba!!

- switch of laptop.
- Remove battery.
- Hold down power button for a few seconds.
- Re insert battery.
- Power Up and VOILA!!!

I'm in the game again....

Good Luck