Black Screen with error message instead of sleep mode

OK, will do.

Is there anything to be concerned about where the report says events are missing, or words to that effect?

I also noticed in the Administrative Events is a lot of Warnings "resolution for the name ..... timed out after none of the configured DNS servers responded." What does this mean?

I am using Norton Internet Security for antivirus & malware. I have used Malwarebytes before & will put a copy on the HTPC.

I'll let you know the result of your troubleshooting suggestions.

FWIW, everything has been running smoothly since I first posted the problem. IOW it's only happened that one time. Of course I don't want it happen a second time.

Thanks again.

You're welcome. :)

Mike99 said:

Is there anything to be concerned about where the report says events are missing, or words to that effect?

I find no clear cut answer to this problem. Buffersize and ETW - Microsoft Answers may work? It is difficult to say whether that was actually the answer since Microsoft Answers tends to mark a response as the answer after so many days.

Mike99 said:

I also noticed in the Administrative Events is a lot of Warnings "resolution for the name ..... timed out after none of the configured DNS servers responded." What does this mean?

The best information I found for the error you describe is: Name resolution for the name timed out after none of the configured DNS servers responded.

writhziden said:

Your system does not have too many errors showing up, and none around the times of critical shut downs that were not expected...

I would suggest some general troubleshooting:

1. Download and install Malwarebytes, update it, do not start the free trial, and then run a full scan. Also run a full scan with your antivirus software installed on your system. If you do not have antivirus software installed, see the Good and Free system security combination. for better security steps and scanning tools. Make sure to update the security software before running the full scan.

Your link to Malwarebytes mentions the Pro version. My other PC has the free version so I looked & this link mentions the free version and a 14 day trial of the PRO version.
Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer

You said do not start the free trial, does that mean I should get the PRO version? But if I don't start the trial how can I run a full scan?

1. Click the Download Now button.
2. Download Malwarebytes.
3. Install Malwarebytes.
4. Agree to the terms.
5. Leave it checked to update Malwarebytes and Start Malwarebytes when installation finishes.
6. After it updates, click OK.
7. Let Malwarebytes Start.
8. When asked if you would like to start the free trial, click No.
9. Run a full scan of your system (you do not need to start the free trial to run a scan).
10. The free version Malwarebytes can be used to run scans for an unlimited period.
11. The differences between the free and full versions may be seen here:
    Attachment 221830

I do not recommend 3rd party debugging tools unless they use WinDbg as a reference. WinDbg is what we use. 3rd party programs like WhoCrashed and BlueScreenView will often just tell you there is something wrong with the system without actually saying what that something is. They typically blame Windows processes for the crashes when the true culprit is something else.

In a moment of desperation I tried WhoCrashed the other day & it did not report any problems.

The HTPC has been working OK for the last week or so. The problem may have been a one time glitch, but problems usually don’t heal themselves. I feel like I’m living with a time bomb.

It looks like I’ll never know what caused the PC to reboot, let alone hang up when doing so. I‘ll just have to hope it never happens again.

I thank you for all your time, effort & information.

I just used HWMonitor to check temperatures & noticed the +3.3V rail was only 1.92V. Would it be safe to presume that this low voltage might have caused my problem?

It’s been several months since this happened before. I was hoping it was a one time fluke but I guess not.

I turned on the TV the other evening & was greeted by a black screen with the message from my HTPC:
“Reboot & select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device & press a key”.

There was no way to select anything. Pressing most keys just repeated the same message. Other keys did nothing. I have no ides how long it was in this state

I looked at Event Logs & there were a few entries like this but the name was different.
Warning: Name resolution for the name isatap.domain_notset,invalid timed out after none of the configured DNS servers responded (2:55 AM).

There was also an Error at 3:23 AM:
The previous system shutdown at 3:23 AM on 12-17-2012 was unexpected.

Norton Internet Security’s history listed this. However these messages seem to happen on a regular basis.
LiveUpdate Session Completed at 3:07 AM.

I had to power off the PC & startup again.

Could NIS be casing a problem for some reason? I have it on my desktop & it works just fine.

FWIW the Event Logs have quite a few Warning messages regarding IP issues, however this is only the second time I've this reboot problem.

Just thinking about this -

When I power off the PC & startup again I get the usual BIOS screen asking to select Safe Mode, Normal Mode & a couple others. Normal Mode is the default & there is a count down timer that if nothing is selected the PC will start in normal mode, which it does.

So if there was an unexpected shutdown the PC should have restated in Normal Mode, but it did not.

Under what circumstance does that black screen & Reboot message usually appear?