Computer Sometimes Starts Up with A Black Screen

AnnabelleRose · 14 Jul 2016

This problem only started a few days ago.

My computer started up to a black screen, and after a few seconds my monitor went to sleep. No cursor, nothing. I had do a hard reboot to get it to work properly. Yesterday, it happened twice. I hit Google to see what I could find but nothing worked. Here's what I found:

1. Some threads suggested it could be a problem with the video card or some other driver. My video card driver is up to date, my most recent driver installation was my printer, however, that was done over a week ago, and the black screen problem didn't occur then.

2. Startup programs, I checked to see if it might be something attempting to load, but it was just the update service for my printer, and the digital imaging software for my printer(both disabled, as of right now). It was neither of these as the problem occurred again.

3. I ran malware bytes and it came back clean, no malware detected. Running Norton to see if it could find anything but I highly doubt it.

The black screen only happens some of the time. When I make it to the login screen, my machine runs normally, nothing strange occurs, I can use my machine as if there isn't a problem.

My monitor is fairly new, closer to a year old.

I ran chkdsk /f and it was completed, no errors or interruptions.

I really don't want to replace my hard drive, I have a back up solution in place so I'm not worried about my files. My real problem is, if I have to re-install windows I need a new CD key for Windows 7 (I used up my 3 installations), and using Microsoft's site leads you to download Windows 10.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ICIT2LOL · 15 Jul 2016

Hello and welcome Annabelle looks like a similar problem I had a while ago with my Sandy Bridge build - tried all the usual stuff like you have and in the end it was solved by just reseating the GPU card.

Try that first along with most of the major cables power and board connectors and have a good general clean out inside the case.
Edit: Don't forget the static electricity rules - ground yourself on the case while it is plugged in before diving inside the case and then unplug the thing before you dos so.

The chkdsk (you could try the /r switch with that) I see you have run but try this as well if you haven't already

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
Disk Check < if necessary include the /f and /r in the command line as per Option2
Run these in safe mode and the sfc often best run for two to three runs

then these if necessary
SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
AdwCleaner Download
ADW download from bleeping computer delete any rubbish found with the malware scans
(NB If you are running Kaspersky as the main AV then it might need disabling it when trying ADW because it does not like it at times)

The Norton I am not a fan off so I'd leave that and as for the 7 key it really is worth a phone call to Microsoft and explain your predicament and as a general rule they are normally happy to let you use the key again.

AnnabelleRose · 15 Jul 2016

Many thanks for your reply.

I definitely try chkdsk /r /f and SFC/SCANNOW Command.

As a side note: This is not the first time I hear that Norton is rejected or ignored by people who have been around computers and security. What exactly is wrong with Norton that is gets a bad reputation? Is it a resource hog? Doesn't scan or do its job well?

ICIT2LOL · 15 Jul 2016

Ok now the SFC do that for three runs always best to do that the CHKDSK once is ok.

What exactly is wrong with Norton that is gets a bad reputation? Is it a resource hog? Doesn't scan or do its job well?

Well Annabelle part from what you have said I used it many years ago and apart from never being much good it was a terrible nagger and expensive. Plus you very often see it bundled with new machines and if it were so good why would they need to do that. Also they never let themselves get rated on those AV rating sites and I often wonder why.

Myself have use Kaspersky for the last six years on all my machines and always at the top or very close to the top of the AV ratings it is also cheap. For example I can get a licence for $89 for 3 PC's for 2 years now that works out at roughly $0.04 a day! But that is my choice and I am not trying to sell the stuff just giving you an idea.

Now if I have you wondering now just keep in mind if you decide to uninstall Norton do use the dedicated removal tool and also check in the registry for remains of it. - not that I am trying to bias you against Norton if you like it then stay with it.
As for a resource hog wellmost AV take up quite a biut of space so you cannot get away with that fact.

Now two other little things keep these on board to do the occasional scan for stuff the main AV misses and most of us use these too
SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium - if you really want to go in deep then this

AdwCleaner Download
ADW download from bleeping computer delete any rubbish found with the malware scans
(NB If one is running Kaspersky security it may rant about ADW - just ignore it or disable Kaspersky while the ADW is being used)

Lastly if you want the machine to run a little faster and more efficiently take a look at what I call the Bible and use some of it if you don't mind losing some of the "bling" like transparency.
Optimize Windows 7