Black Screen with error message instead of sleep mode

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  1. Posts : 258
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Black Screen with error message instead of sleep mode


    I recently built an HTPC and it was working OK until last night. I’ve been using it mainly as an OTA DVR and it does wake up, record, etc.

    I went to program a recording & it was already awake & the HDD indicator LED was on. However the HDTV had a black screen with a message to select boot device & press any key. This was not a BSOD but a black screen. There was no way to select anything as every time I pressed a key the same message displayed another time. I finally powered off.

    Another program was scheduled to record at this time but it should not have. It was a series schedule set for new but this episode was not. That’s one strike against the EPG. Anyway it started recording after I booted back up but it was missing the first 40 minutes because I booted up 40 minutes into the program.

    I don’t think the program was the problem but maybe there was a glitch at the start of the recording which caused the problem, I don’t know. Unfortunately I have no idea how long the HTPC had been sitting in the “select boot” state. It could have been that way for hours.

    I looked at the PC’s event logs to see if anything was obvious. But there were so many logs I had no idea what I was looking at.

    Any ideas what would cause a PC to display the message or where to look? Could this be a motherboard problem?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #2

    What type of hard disk do you have installed?

    If you need help, please fill in your system specs in your profile and not in a post in this thread: System Info - See Your System Specs
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 258
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I have a 1.5 TB Seagate Green HDD.

    I'll have to re-read the link you mentioned. It looks like I'll have to manually enter the data because the PC in question is not the same one I'm using for the forum.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #4

    The error you get may mean your system lost track of the hard disk. I would recommend checking all hard disk connections. Avoid Static Damage to Your PC as you check.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 258
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    The HDD connections all appear to be locked in & solid.

    I looked at the event logs but was completely lost. There are several categories & hundreds of events. And sometimes there are events every few minutes with things going to sleep, waking up, etc. Is there a way to look at the event logs in order to find out what happened?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #6

    The best place to look for errors and warnings (which are the significant entries) is the Administrative Logs:
    1. Click Start Menu
    2. Type eventvwr into Search programs and files (do not hit enter)
    3. Right click eventvwr.exe and click Run as administrator
    4. Expand Custom Views
    5. Click Administrative Events
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 258
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thank you for the directions. Here’s what I found.

    At 7:50:00 PM on 7/8/2012 there was a Critical message: “The system was rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly.” This makes sense because this is when I had to power off the PC.

    The previous entry was time stamped 7:50:19 pm which is actually slightly later than one above it. Maybe it could not enter an event log until the system was rebooted a few seconds earlier? Anyway it was an Error message: “The previous system shutdown at 9:42:40 AM on 7/8/12 was unexpected.”

    That would indicate the system was shutdown earlier the same day. I’m presuming it was displaying the black screen with the boot message all day.

    I guess I’ll never know, but I sure would like to know what caused the system to shutdown in the first place.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #8

    Please follow the https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...tructions.html to provide us with your event viewer logs (yes, those instructions help with more than just blue screens). Maybe we can spot something you missed. :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 258
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I followed the instructions & have the 2 files. Looking over the report it looks like some events are missing. Attached are the 2 zip files. Please let me know if need these re-done or if you need more information.

    Thank you for all your help.
    Last edited by Mike99; 14 Jul 2012 at 03:57. Reason: Correction
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #10

    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.

    2. Check Windows for corruption. Run SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations. Use OPTION THREE of SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker to provide us with the sfcdetails.txt file if errors occur.

    3. Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup
      My Computer


 
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