Windows 7: blank screen after logon

TC1981 · 23 Jun 2012

I recently had some automatic updates and after restarting my computer I had a blank screen after the logging on with my user name. I ran system restore to an earlier time and tried installing updates one at a time to see which was the problem, but when I restarted the rest installed at that time and I was back where I started. After a second system restore I hid all uninstalled updates, emptied the folder at C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download, but still at every shut down or restart I get the configuring updates, do not turn off computer. It goes to 100% and then shuts down, but on restart (or start up, if it had been completely shut down) I once again get the blank screen after logging on. And once again have to do a system restore. Safe mode is also a blank screen, the only way I can get to system restore is to use safe mode with command prompt. Leaving the computer on after the system restore is my only option right now, but I can't leave it on forever and I'm running out of restore points. Thanks for your time and any possible help you can give.

**Pauly** · 23 Jun 2012

Have you tried startup repair after blank screen

Have you tried SFC \scannow

TC1981 · 23 Jun 2012

Hi Pauly, thanks for the reply. Can you tell me how to do start up repair from safe mode with command prompt? SF with command prompt is the only way I can do anything when this happens.
What is SFC \scannow? Sorry, but I'm not very tech-savvy, though I do follow clear directions well.

karlsnooks · 23 Jun 2012

TC,
Fluff out your System Specs for us please.

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

ADD the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.
==============================================================

Now first thing we need to do is to stop the auto-updating until your problem is fixed.

Control Panel | Windows Update | Change Settings (on the left-side list) |

Set the settings to agree with the snapshot

blank screen after logon-update-settings.png

OK button

TC1981 · 23 Jun 2012

I updated my system specs using speccy.
I had already changed my update settings to check for updates but let me download and install, but have now changed it to your recommendation.

karlsnooks · 23 Jun 2012

I see that I overlooked your SFC question.

Please run 3 times as mentioned in the writeup and then upload sfcdetails. txt

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

After and only after you've sent the sfcdetails.txt file then please upload the two files generated by this procedure:

Script:

  # ************************************************************
# Places InstalledUpdates.txt on your DESKTOP
# Places NotInstalledUpdates.TXT on your DESKTOP
#
# Hidden updates are ignored.
# ************************************************************

# Start copying with first line that does NOT start with #
# Copy thru 2nd EXIT; 
# Paste into PowerShell using right-click

Try
{
   $error.clear()
   $file = "$env:userprofile\Desktop\InstalledUpdates.TXT"
   If (test-path -path $file) {del $file}
   $update = new-object -com Microsoft.update.Session
   $searcher = $update.CreateUpdateSearcher()
   write-host "`n`n Patience. I'm slowly, but steadily working on fetching the list of installed updates.`n`n"
   $pending = $searcher.Search("IsInstalled=1") 
   foreach($entry in $pending.Updates)
   {
   IF ($entry.IsHidden -ne $true) {
       "Title: " + $entry.Title | Out-file -append $File
       "Downloaded? " + $entry.IsDownloaded | Out-file -append $File
       "Description: " + $entry.Description | Out-file -append $File
       foreach($category in $entry.Categories)
       {
           $d + "Category: " + $category.name | Out-file -append $File
       }
       "" | Out-file -append $file
       }
   }
   If ((Test-Path -path $file) -eq $false) {"No updates have been installed." | Out-file $file} 
# Now to check the uninstalled updates that aren't hidden
   $file = "$env:userprofile\Desktop\NotInstalledUpdates.TXT"
   If (test-path -path $file) {del $file}
   $update = new-object -com Microsoft.update.Session
   $searcher = $update.CreateUpdateSearcher()
   write-host "`n`n Patience. I'm slowly, but steadily working on fetching the list of uninstalled updates.`n`n"
   $pending = $searcher.Search("IsInstalled=0") 
   foreach($entry in $pending.Updates)
   {
   IF ($entry.IsHidden -ne $true) {
       "Title: " + $entry.Title | Out-file -append $File
       "Downloaded? " + $entry.IsDownloaded | Out-file -append $File
       "Description: " + $entry.Description | Out-file -append $File
       foreach($category in $entry.Categories)
       {
           $d + "Category: " + $category.name | Out-file -append $File
       }
       "" | Out-file -append $file
       }
   }
   If (-not(Test-Path -path -$file)) {"There are no uninstalled updates which are unhidden." | Out-file $file} 
}
Catch 
{
   "Unable to fetch update list from Microsoft site"
}
Finally
{
   "End of script"
   EXIT
}

EXIT
EXIT

# ************************************************************
# Places InstalledUpdates.txt on your DESKTOP
# Places NotInstalledUpdates.TXT on your DESKTOP
#
# Hidden updates are ignored.
# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 *****************************************************
# RUN PowerShell as administrator
# START ORB | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | YES
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 *****************************************************
# COPY (using CTRL + C) every line down thru both EXIT statements
# PASTE into Powershell by right-clicking at the PowerShell Prompt
# (Ctrl V does not work)
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
# Get-WinEvent: The system can not find the path specified
# you need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
# Run PowerShell
# enter following $host.version
# you should see at least:
# Major Minor Build Revision
# ----- ----- ----- --------
# 2 0 -1 -1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
# Run PowerShell
# enter following without the #
# Set-ExecutionPolicy -executionpolicy remotesigned
#
# ************************************************************

TC1981 · 26 Jun 2012

Ok, hope I've done this right. I've attached the sfcdetails.txt

TC1981 · 26 Jun 2012

And here are the two files generated by powershell. One thing though...I have windows powershell (x86), windows powershell ISE (x86), windows powershell ISE, and windows powershell. Not knowing which to pick I just picked windows powershell. Please advise if I need to run using a different option.

karlsnooks · 26 Jun 2012

You have two corrupted files for which also the backups are missing:

Quote:

C:\Windows\"twunk_32.exe"; source file in store is also corrupted
C:\Windows\System32\"QUTIL.DLL"; source file in store is also corrupted

I suspect that my final recommendation is going to either a Repair Install or a Reinstall.

Even a Repair Install is not a painless operation.

In either case, you should backup everything dear to your heart to an external drive.

Supposedly the repair install won't mess up your data files, but...

I'll look at the other two files now.

karlsnooks · 26 Jun 2012

the other two files are ok.

Here's a link to the SevenForums tutorial on a Repair Install.
Repair Install

Windows 7: blank screen after logon

blank screen after logon problems?