Another Black Screen problem.

[bob12345]

Yes, I have searched before starting this thread and still cannot figure out what is causing a black screen to appear when trying to start the computer.

Background: Gateway NV 52 initial with Windows Vista. Upgraded to Windows 7 in November of 2009. Have updated my ATI Radeon HD 3200 firmware with ccc 12.4.

Recently installed Glary Utilities which caused some minor problems (could not scroll with touchpad) after registry cleaner. This could be an unrelated problem.

So far I have used Windows Check disk and System filter checker with no success.

The laptop does not boot up every time and have to restart the computer until it boots up properly.

Thank you

 

[karlsnooks]

I'm not going to make you happy.

This link, despite the title, will also cover your case:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

Before you decide to add any marvelous software that does NOT come from Microsoft, then please ask here.
We've seen it all and tried it all and have gained experience which will save you much suffering and agony.

karl

 

[bob12345]

1). CCleaner is a safer program to use than Glary? Step 15 mentions ccleaner and Puran which, to my knowledge, are not Microsoft products.

2). I can't simply use "System Restore?"

Sorry for the questions and comments. I really want to get this process correct for the present and future. This computer is essential for my education.

 

[karlsnooks]

bob,
Because this computer is important to you is why I made my recommendations.

I wish you success.

 

[bob12345]

After quickly browsing through the steps I have some concerns.

The product key on the bottom of the laptop is worn, but I guess that is not important since that was the product key for my old OS? I guess I should use the product key that came with the Windows 7 Upgrade kit (Win Vista HmPrm-Win 7 HmPrm UPG Fulfill)

I will post back with any other questions.

Thank you

 

[karlsnooks]

AS long as your DVD came with a 25 character product key, then you are in business.

 

[bob12345]

How is the SP1-U ISO different from my current OS? Will I notice any changes? Again I will attempt the reinstall at least 2 weeks from now.

 

[bob12345]

After a second reinstall (forgot to delete my main partition), the black screen problem has not occurred yet.

However, my other 2 problems involving the touchpad and my touch sensitive buttons are back. I did manage to figure out how to fix the scroll feature on my touchpad by installing the driver from Gateway. I just unzipped the file using 7zip, then opened the file, and finally clicked "setup". I wasted so much time trying this method instead. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/97061-driver-install-device-manager.html. I still don't understand why that method did not work for me.

As of now, my touch sensitive buttons are responding to my command by turning a feature on or off (volume, wireless signal, etc), but the lights are not corresponding to the command. If I turn the wireless signal off, the light still stays on. I never had this problem before I used Glary.

After I fix this known issue and any other unknown issues, I can create a final backup image.

 

[bob12345]

I just attempted to boot the laptop and now the black screen occurred twice. I was able boot up using the F8 key.

Reinstalling Windows was not enough? Could this be a hardware issue?

 

[writhziden]

More Info Needed:

Sounds like a strong possibility.

Please upload your msinfo32.nfo file. To get this: Start Menu -> Type msinfo32 into the Search programs and files box -> When it opens, go to File, Save -> Save as msinfo32.nfo and save in a place you will remember -> Let it finish the process of gathering and saving the system info -> Right click the .nfo file, click send to compressed (zipped) folder -> Upload the .zip file here.​

Hardware Checks:

Run some hardware checks.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• If you have an SSD, make sure the following are up to date:
  • SSD firmware
  • BIOS Version
  • Chipset Drivers
  • Hard disk controller drivers/SATA drivers
  • If you have a Marvell IDE ATA/ATAPI device, make sure the drivers are up to date from the Intel site or Marvell site and not from your motherboard/vendor support site.
  
  
• Run all but the advanced tests with SeaTools for HDDs.
  SeaTools for Windows
  
  SeaTools for DOS​
  
  
• Monitor temperatures during the following tests.
  
  Use the following programs to monitor the temperatures.​
  • Real Temp is a good CPU temperature monitor.
  • Speccy - System Information - Free Download will monitor all hardware temperatures.
  • HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools can be inaccurate for CPU temperatures, but is a good program for GPU temperature monitoring.
  • Use FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net to test the graphics card GPU. Let it run until the GPU temperatures even out or until the GPU temperatures reach a dangerous level (you can find the max temperature for your card on either the nVidia or AMD sites; if you are not sure, ask us). The goal is to get a steady temperature, find out if the GPU is overheating, or to see if there are any artifacts present in the test itself: look for strange pixelated patterns on the screen or colors that do not look like they belong. Then use the |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download to test your graphics card memory. Let the memory test run for at least seven passes; the more the better.
    
    
  • Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html to determine any hardware problems. Run all three tests for a few hours each. If you get errors, stop the test and post back here.
    
    
  • Follow the steps for doing CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
  
  
• Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).
  
  
     Warning

  Before you proceed with the following, answer these two questions: Are you still under warranty? Does your warranty allow you to open up the machine to check hardware? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, contact your system manufacturer. :warn:WARNING: The steps that follow can void your warranty!!!
  
  
  For Part 3: If You Have Errors: If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
  1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
  4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working. If you do not have an anti-static workbench, desk, or pad, you can use your computer tower/case by finding a metal hold in it, such as a drive bay.
  Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

 

[bob12345]

Here is my msinfo32 zip file.

I have not overclocked, nor do I have a SSD. I am currently downloading Framework 4 needed to run SeaTools.

Thank you

 

[bob12345]

SeaTools showed two HD even though I have one, same serial numbers and firmware version. "Both" HD passed smart check, short dst, and short generic. I did not want to run long generic since it will take 2 hours.

I have downloaded HWinNFO64 to monitor GPU temps, but it only shows, HD and CPU temps, not GPU.

 

[writhziden]

Your GPU temperatures will be the same as your CPU temperatures since your graphics processing is done through the AMD Athlon X2 processor.

You should also run the long tests on the HD when it is convenient to do so. You only have to run it on one of the drives; they are actually the same drive, but your system is seeing the drive twice. It happens on some systems due to a controller reading error.

 

[bob12345]

Will do all the test tonight. I forgot to ask you what is my max temp. for my CPU?

 

[writhziden]

No info on that found here: AMD Processors for Notebooks: AMD Turion

I'll check 3rd party sites: AMD Athlon 64 X2 QL-64 - AMQL64DAM22GG says the max temp is 100 C.

 

[bob12345]

Thank you for finding the max temperature for me.

The HD passed the long generic test. After running Fun Mark for 5 minutes, the CPU temp was between 65 and 75 C. The temp graph produced by Speccy was a consistent sine wave. FPS:1 Frames:330

I will be conducting the video memory stress test tomorrow since it will take at least 4 hours.

 

[writhziden]

Good plan. I assume there were no artifacts in FurMark?

Temperatures look good.

 

[bob12345]

Correct, there were no artifacts in FunMark.

While the video memory stress test is running, I am noticing in the results box it says "Your card can be not compatible with this test!"

Is this test still valid? I don't want to wait 2 more hours to find out that the test was a waste of time.

 

[bob12345]

The scan stopped during pass 4. After 5.5 hours here are the results.

WARNING: Your card can be not compatible with this test! If multiple errors will found, try test with onscreen buffer usage or wthout of ignoring colors bit mask.
Changing video mode to 640x480x16...OK
[7/16/2012 12:35:06 PM] Test started for "Primary Display Driver (ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics)"...
Trying 16bpp RGB:565 mode...OK
Trying 16bpp RGB:555 mode...OK
Trying 16bpp BGR:565 mode...NOT SUPPORTED (Code: 80004001)
Trying 32bpp RGB:888 mode...OK
TEST FAIL (Code: 887601C2)
Trying 32bpp BGR:888 mode...NOT SUPPORTED (Code: 80004001)
[7/16/2012 2:12:00 PM] Pass completed (0 errors found).
Trying 16bpp RGB:565 mode...OK
TEST FAIL (Code: 887601C2)
Trying 16bpp RGB:555 mode...OK
TEST FAIL (Code: 887601C2)
Trying 16bpp BGR:565 mode...NOT SUPPORTED (Code: 80004001)
Trying 32bpp RGB:888 mode...OK
Trying 32bpp BGR:888 mode...NOT SUPPORTED (Code: 80004001)
[7/16/2012 3:38:01 PM] Pass completed (0 errors found).
Trying 16bpp RGB:565 mode...OK
TEST FAIL (Code: 887601C2)
Trying 16bpp RGB:555 mode...OK
TEST FAIL (Code: 887601C2)
Trying 16bpp BGR:565 mode...NOT SUPPORTED (Code: 80004001)
Trying 32bpp RGB:888 mode...OK
Trying 32bpp BGR:888 mode...NOT SUPPORTED (Code: 80004001)
[7/16/2012 4:53:01 PM] Pass completed (0 errors found).
Trying 16bpp RGB:565 mode...OK
TEST FAIL (Code: 887601C2)
Trying 16bpp RGB:555 mode...OK

 

[bob12345]

Now there is no shut down button, just switch user, log off, and lock. I guess I am not logged in as administrator even though I only have one user account. This has to be a software issue.

UPDATE: Ran Malwarebytes and found over 15 items. I guess by installing several "stress test" softwares, I managed to pick up some malware. However, I still cannot view the shut down button once logged in.

The most important issue to me is resolving the black screen problem.

I did try to run Prime95 test, but the CPU was reaching 85+ temps within seconds so I aborted the test.