Black screen after installation

I was having a similar problem. My NVIDIA 8800GT will not utilize the S-Video output for the main output under Windows 7 for some reason. I had my tv hooked up with an S-Video to component connector that came with the video card and after the installation the screen would just go black and stay that way. The HDD LED was still flashing, so I knew the computer was running so I went and grabbed an old CRT and hooked it up via VGA and it displayed on there. Once I finalized my installation I could use the TV only with a dual monitor setup. If I have just the TV hooked in, it just puts up a smaller version of my desktop picture on the screen with nothing else. I have since gotten a DVI-to-HDMI cable and hooked it up that way with no problems, but the S-Video output not working still bugs me. I downloaded new NVIDIA drivers, tried old ones, couldn't get any to work. So looks like I'm stuck with the HDMI cable solution. I tried booting to Safe Mode after installation to try and mess with the video drivers, but it said I can't boot to safe mode for the first time after install. If I hadn't thought to try another monitor, I'd have ended up going back to XP. But it is definitely a driver issue as the other senior members have mentioned. Just thought I would share my experience and make a first post.

Thanks!!! Just wanted to say this worked... Got 7 to complete install in low res and i just changed my settings to 1024x1280 (or whatever it is) and its working fine. now i can update my drivers...

When installing 7 let it get to the part where it reboots and goes to completing installation. When it restarts press either (F6,F7,F8,or F9 I forget) and boot the new install in safe mode. Let it load and you will get an error: don't press OK!. Press shift F10 and type "compmgmt.msc" and hit enter. When the computer management screen comes up go to device manager and disable the video card (not uninstall it). You will still get video so don't worry...continue the install as normal and see if it lets you finish!

Hi guys,

same here... Windows starts (all sounds ok), but black screen. I bought Windows Seven and installed the 64-bits version. It seems I've tried everything but rolling back to the 181.** nvidia driver. I can load W7 in safe mode, uninstall the drivers, boot again: W7 detects my 8800GTS and install a compatible driver. Restart: black screen. I've installed the latest nvidia 191.07 WHQL. Restart: black screen. I managed for a while to boot with a res @ 600*800, but it worked only once and then: Black Screen. I can only use my computer either in safe mode, or after NVidia drivers uninstallation. I was thinking of changing my 8800GTS for an ATI HD4870, but it looks like I might get the same problem as it happens with ATI cards as well (other topics).
I'm using only one screen, no TV or secondary monitor. I moved my card from one PCI-E slot to another. I've even flashed my MB BIOS (it worked, but only temporarily).
I did a CMOS clearing. I've installed W7 on a freshly formated HDD, I updated from Vista, etc... Black Screen.

Is there other drivers than the nvidia ones that could manage my 8800GTS?

I could install the 32-bits version, but one thing I don't like is when something "should" work, and it doesn't...

This is the 2nd time I've installed Windows 7 64bit from scratch. it's a brand new disc purchased retail. First off, it has taken 8, yes EIGHT hours each time for it to simply install and get to what would be the 'welcome screen'. However I still just see the empty black screen with my mouse cursor. Things ive tried that did nothing:

1. booting in safe mode
2. booting in safe mode with networking
3. booting in low resolution (640x480)
4. disabling floppy drive in bios
5. setting bios settings to fail safe
6. disconnecting all usb devices except mouse/keyboard

None of the above would let me see the log in/welcome screen. I read about the VGA/DVI trick, where you use the VGA instead of DVI until you can download drivers, but my card only has 2 DVI outputs (with only 1 monitor connected).

Here are my system specs:
core2 duo @ 2.4ghz
4gb Corsair ram
300gb Seagate HD
MSI motherboard
Nvidia gtx 260 vid card

The only thing i havnt tried is putting my old ATI Radeon card back into the system because it has a VGA output on it (meaning i have to remove the Nvidia gtx 260, why?). Other than that, I'm at a total loss. Any more suggestions? This is day 2 with no computer

What I found worked for me is get to the point where the screen boots up to a black screen.

Then disconnect the cable from the existing DVI output and change it over to the other one while the computer is still on and see if picture comes onto the screen. You'll notice there's a numbering system to the DVI outputs, however, when I tried to boot my PC for the first time with a monitor and TV connected the outputs would keep swapping.

kinnyfaifai, i tried switching over to the other DVI output, but the monitor wouldnt read the signal. Perhaps I could switch it over and reboot...


Dave76, my GPU is overclocked, but I actually purchased it that way. Not sure that I could reset it. As for the 1gb of ram...man that scares me to have to wait through 8 hours on installing!! I will use that as last result thanks for the tips guys!!

absolutely. Thanks Dave! I'm at work so I won't be able to try until this evening. But thanks for all the good advice everyone!

Hi guys,

same problem with windows 7 64 bits. I spent a week or so trying different options (BIOS, putting my 8800GTS on the other PCI-E slot, many many drivers, etc etc). I finally tried to connect my PC to my LCD TV and it worked. Still nothing on my monitor though. I finished the installation using the TV (20 minutes max), so I'm now able to see something on my monitor only when I start in safe mode.
Also, when the computer is on, with an image on the TV only, I can swap the DVI connection (monitor on the DVI port where the TV was connected), and it works. But then, if I restart the computer, black screen again.
My monitor is getting a signal, but screen remains black.

So for now, my computer is connected to my LCD in the living room, and my "office" is empty. I have tried to configure the output on both TV+monitor, or monitor only, but same problem...

I havn't tried to disconnect the RAM yet (I use 4 * 1 Go, Corsair XMS PC6400). Will do it tonight!





Here's what I'm using:
P5K-E/Wifi-AP
Intel Core2Duo E6750 @2.66 + Zalman Golden OrbII
ASUS EN8800GTS 320Go
Corsair XMS 4 x 1 Go
Western Digital 500 Go 7200.1 rpm SATA
Thermaltake Soprano + Antec Earthwatts 650W