Black Screen

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  1. Posts : 8
    W7 64
       #1

    Black Screen


    I've had similar experiences with three different W7 machines now.
    An update from Microsoft Security Essentials causes the system to fail.
    The first resolved with the Safe Mode and a System Restore, though it took
    several tries. This was on a brand new (six months) machine.

    The second occurred remotely on a machine that I maintain for my parents.
    Without access to the machine, we let it sit for several hours and it sorted itself
    out, but without the least indication that it was doing anything at all. That's the
    worst part of this new system -- lack of feedback to the user!

    The last is on a machine that I maintain for a friend.
    We put a W7 patch on Vista about 6 months ago and it's been pretty close to
    the normal W7 behavior since. Again, an update for MSE and the thing froze and
    had to be hard-booted. On return from hard boot, it gets the 'splash screen' and
    then just black with a cursor. This is true of Safe Mode as well, unfortunately, so
    that I have no recourse to Restore. I've seen that the F8 key gives some different
    options, so I will try that today -- maybe 'repair my computer' or a direct link to
    restore without going into the window that won't load.

    I think I will uninstall MSE on all three machines and rely strictly on other programs. Microsoft seems to care less than the competition about ruining its own
    operating system since they have no one to anwser to. My two cents...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,605
    Originally Win 7 Hm Prem x64 Ver 6.1.7600 Build 7601-SP1 | Upgraded to Windows 10 December 14, 2019
       #2

    Hi! johnfull, welcome to 7F :)

    Have you been back to black screen following Microsoft Security Essentials configuration - Microsoft Answers to see Kosh Vorlon's post in reply to yours?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 26,863
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    johnfull, welcome to SF. I.m not sure what your problem could be. I run MSE on 3 machines and have never had a problem. The update to MSE is only updating the security definitions MSE uses to protect your machine. Do you have other AV programs installed on the machines?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8
    W7 64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Yes, I use Avast! on all three. Have for years and years. I'd rather dump MSE.
    I have been reading about lots of people having black screen problems, so your
    anecdotal evidence to the contrary is cold comfort. I just hope I can sort out the
    latest fiasco...thanks!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8
    W7 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    This might be helpful -- thanks.



    Hi John,

    Are you talking about a regular definitions update or are you talking about the upgrade update released very recently - a week or so ago?

    First, regarding System Restore in Windows 7. There are several ways to do it and one is by using a disk (if you can't get F8 to work) and that often does the trick - which I believe you can create from one of the machines that's working. See the following articles (you may not need all of them, but I've provided them in case you do):

    System Restore

    System Recovery Options

    System Repair Disc - Create
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,605
    Originally Win 7 Hm Prem x64 Ver 6.1.7600 Build 7601-SP1 | Upgraded to Windows 10 December 14, 2019
       #6

    I was not trying to infringe on your credibility. My first impression to your situation was similar to essenbe's.
    If you do or ever did have any other AV program installed on your computer (even if you didn't use it), you need to make sure they are all uninstalled and fully removed before you install. To fully remove them, check out this listing of removal toolshttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/407bf6da-c05d-4546-8788-0aa4c25a1f91 or the listing in that article at the bottom under troubleshooting steps (why this link isn't at the top near things to do first where it discusses removing all the prior and current AV programs is beyond me) or, if not on the lists, go to the website of the AV software and get and use the removal tool for that product.
    Source: black screen following Microsoft Security Essentials configuration - Microsoft Answers
    I only wanted to make sure if you had seen the suggestions in Vorlon's post, but you picked one of the other replies to throw back at me.

    I do not know how that post received the green answer check-mark, but I would be offended too.

    Now just for a test:
    Pick one of your machines and completely uninstall avast, and see how it goes from there. avast! Uninstall Utility

    You may even want to try some of Vorlon's suggestions on the settings for MSE, that is your call.


    BIG EDIT:

    johnfull you evidently changed your reply in regards to my first post!
    Last edited by Anak; 30 Jul 2011 at 09:37. Reason: OP changed his reply. I guess I will have to go back to quoting in my replies.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8
    W7 64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Can I use the Windows 7 install disc that converted Vista? I installed it about 6 months ago and successfully imported all the personal files. It has been functioning fairly normally as a W7 program ever since. Microsoft Security Essentials has now made the program inoperable beyond the flash screen, even in Safe Mode. Can I re-insert the
    W7 install disc and repair the program? I want to completely remove MSE in the process...
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8
    W7 64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Yes, I carelessly read your reply and the other one and made a hasty re-reply.
    Vorlon's suggestions contain many nuggets -- I'll have to sort through and find
    something that works. Do you know if the Windows 7 installation disc can be used
    to access restore functions? I upgraded Vista to W7 about 6 months ago.
    This is a clumsy way to dialog, with two different forums and two different methods
    of access. I did NOT see Vorlon's reply because that forum sent no notification.
    I appreciate your bringing it to my attention...:)

    Do you think that MSE can completely replace Avast?
    I have been under the impression that different programs are synergistic.
    I use MalwareBytes to scan regularly, too, but it has no real-time function...
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 26,863
    Windows 11 Pro
       #9

    Johnfull, cold comfort or not, thousands of members here use MSE without issue. If you installed MSE from the microsoft website, I'm sure you saw the warning to uninstall all other antivirus programs on your machine before installing MSE. Conventional wisdom is and always has been to not use two AV programs at the same time. Software conflicts are much more likely to happen. Anak and Microsoft Answers have given you several suggestions to try and resolve your issues. I suggest you try them and use one AV program.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 26,863
    Windows 11 Pro
       #10

    The paid version of Malwarebytes does have real time protection. Also MSE and Malwarebytes function well together as they are really two different types of programs. I use both on my machines and can say I have never had a virus. I believe many of your issues may be caused by having 2 AV programs. Most likely 2 programs trying to do the same thing can conflict with each other.
      My Computer


 
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