When turning off computer & turning it back on again screen is blank

Here is the issue, when my computer goes to sleep after it's on for a while when I move the mouse to get the screen back up it shows the backround no icons or anything to click.
Same if I turn it off and turn it back on. I have to turn it off and on many times then go to safe mode and shut down then turn it on again for it to work. Just now I had to turn it on/off 4 times for it to show the icons and task bar. Usually it is left blank with nothing to click having no choice but to turn it off.
Norton says no viruses.
My computer is HP with windows 7. I bought it in 2011.
This problem has been happening for a long time. Please help.

Hello squirrels and welcome to Seven Forums.

I think I'd start out by trying to do a startup repair. It's been suggested that the startup repair be done 3 times (regardless of what the notifications say) and the computer rebooted after each repair.

Startup Repair

If this doesn't fix the problem one of the Forum experts has prepared these troubleshooting guides with some additional suggestions.

Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

You're running a bloated AV on the worst PC maker for bloatware one can own, HP.

I'd start with replacing your AV with recommended MSE and then creating a Clean Boot so that all of the HP crap which interferes with better versions in Win7 is not starting on Win7's back. Clean Up Factory Bloatware

You can go from the worst install one can have to the very best by doing a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Otherwise after doing the Clean up if the problem persists work through Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7