Sudden black screen starts in one program then spreads

For the past few days a new problem has occured: one program will go into black screen, while everything else runs as normal. Then after a while this spreads to another program, until I can't use the machine anymore and will have to restart - which fixes it(for a while). When the problem starts it seems the windows clock(lower right) stops.

Anyone heard of this before? Google if full of 'black screen after boot' but haven't seen this one.

Does it look like this? Weird Problem
I believe it is a GPU driver or DirectX issue. Everything actually works but display is not refreshed. And context menu turns black too after a split second. It happens rarely for me now.

If so I couldn't fix it but have an easy workaround. I start a simple game that engage fullscreen (Direct3D perhaps?). If you can keep a shortcut to a fullscreen game and start it when this happens, maybe it will help.

Before finding the game workaround I would CTRL ALT DEL to logoff, and relog instead of restarting.

Pretty sure this is the very same thing GokAy!
Interesting and creative shot at fixing it! Will definitely try that out
I usually cant use the menus for shut down/log off, so would at least have to remember the menu to be able to hit log off while in black screen

By the way, I am starting one of the fan made freeware Star Wars games by Bruno R. Marcos - bruneras.com - A Bruno R. Marcos Gamesite
The games are all the way at the bottom (get the upgrades by TMaster_Syrus too if you get the games, link in download page) . Playing them in 3D Vision is a delight, even though text are at screen depth :)

If it is indeed the same thing, CTRL ALT DEL was working as intended for me (at least the menu itself). Task Manager would stop refreshing even though it doesn't turn black. If this doesn't work for you, you can try pressing Win+R once and write:

Code:

shutdown /l

that is a small L.

Or else put the shortcut to the game on a couple of places. In case you can't reach one due to a window in the way. Or perhaps you can start the game from the run window. Or perhaps assign a shortcut key combo CTRL+ALT+something to its shortcut on desktop.

Thanks again man! will try and see how this works when the problems presents itself again!

Even though it didn't help me, do try the clean startup ThrashZone linked. :)