Solved Black Screen, Still see cursor though. ALWAYS HAPPENS

[chris1neji]

Problem has been an ongoing issue. I have never bother to try to fix it. It only happens to my desktop. It has now been occuring for well over 5 months.

It seems to always appear or show symtoms after my computer is left on for days. The symtom tends to appear around the third day or after. I will come back from work or some other place and i will click around to get the monitor to wake up. I don't make my computer go to hybernate mode or sleep(quite sure i don't make it go to sleep i think i have it set up to turn off the monitor after 15 minutes). The screen will be on just black. I see a flickering mouse curson on the screen though. just blinking/flickering. Can't see icons or anything else. Only command that does work is CTRL+ALT+DELETE. Brings up that other menu/window screen. I can see it just fine no flickering or anything alike. As soon as i click on any of the options and that screen is gone it does the same once more.

My temporary solution so far has been holding down the power button and shutting it down.

There are more issues that also appear over time when my computer is left on for days.
I hope i am understandable, never been good at describing.

Anyone care to take a crack at it?

I consider myself very knowledgeble on computers so any information you guys need i think i should be able to provide it quick and fast

My Specs

System Manufacturer/Model Number Gateway / Slight Modifications
OS Windows 7 Ultimate X64
CPU AMD Phenom X4 9100e
Motherboard Gateway RS780
Memory 2GB X2 DDR2
Graphics Card(s) ATI HD 4600
Sound Card N/A Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays Gateway 19"
Screen Resolution 1440 x 900
Hard Drives WD 80GB
WD 640GB
WD 1,000GB
PSU Antec BP 550watts
Case Antec 300

 

[DustSailor]

Hello Chris,

Try these repairs:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

Also, look for updates. You might want to add drivers to the update list (this will automatically tell you what drivers you are missing): http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2803-device-installation-settings.html

 

[mgp1964]

It sure sounds like it is going into some form of power saving mode. Check your power options in BIOs and then check them in Windows.

Check for a BIOs update to see if this a kown issue and has been resolved by a BIOs update, many MB had wake up troubles that were fixed with a BIOs update so it will not hurt to check that out.

 

[chris1neji]

please excuse my delay in reporting results. With New Years Days and EVe. I haven't been home to get work done.
So far I done sfc /scanow. Had to restart will repeat a few more times and make sure to get better results.

 

[chris1neji]

So i did : SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
Startup Repair
I updated, even did optional windows updates. It Still happen got black screen with cursor blinking and me being able to move it.

Sorry it took to reply but this problem takes a few days to appear.

 

[DustSailor]

Chris,

No problem on the time, I am in no rush, and I do this for free. Do you have your computer set to enter sleep or hibernate? check the power options settings>advanced

What antivirus do you have installed? In addition, could you run this?: Microsoft Safety Scanner - Antivirus | Remove Spyware, Malware, Viruses Free

Check your HDD for errors: Check a drive for errors

After you complete the previous check, type "memory" into the start menu search and schedule a memory check. restart. These may take some time. I can take you down the rabbit hole further after you've completeed these steps, let me know!

 

[chris1neji]

No my computer never goes into hibernate mode.

My Power Option plan is on High Performance, turning off the display at 15 minutes. Computer to sleep: Never.
I have Avast free Anti-Virus, as my Anti Virus. Comodo Firewall. and other security tools that are run manually.

Currently running MS Safety Scanner. It's been running for almost 4 hours and it's not even done with my smallest drive, let alone a partition of that drive. I can see this running for at least 10 hours.

To get better results i will check HDD for errors AFTER its done.
The memory check will also be done afterwards. Just wanted to update you. Thanks for trying, i still have doubts we will be able to solve it though. I am positive it's not a virus related issue. We will just have to wait for HDD errors( i have a gut feeling this might be it). Anyways once again thanks.

 

[DustSailor]

It has been reported that Avast! isn't a very good antivirus at all and has computer problems. I would recommend uninstalling it via the tool: avast! Uninstall Utility. I am not saying this to support another AV or for any ulterior motive, it is just plain and simple bad. I can recommend a simple but strong AV if you would like: Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows or you can go to our Security Forum section here: http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/72070-whats-best-anti-virus.html and see what others have put as their favorite AV. (Please don't choose AVG either...). Removing that AV may help your computer some.

Sorry that it is taking so long, Chris. Guess it is thurough. Perhaps leave it on overnight? Make sure the temps don't get too hot (or don't normally).

Did you disable windows firewall when Comodo is in use? Admittedly, I don't use Comodo so I wouldn't know if it does disables windows firewall automatically. I am of the mindset that windows firewall is completely fine in and of itself, but in this it is your choice. I've heard some good things on that firewall.

Let me know how all this goes. I guess it will just take time to complete.

 

[chris1neji]

As far as me uninstalling the anti virus Avast, that will be last resort if we believe the source of the problem to be coming from Avast. MSE is too weak in my opinion . If i will be dealing with a few false positives vs lower detection rate so be it, I tend to know what to trust if i can't trust it i can scan it with malwarebytes and other security software if i am still paranoid i can get it checked out by 2 friends who deal with this kind of stuff. Last resort i have system images.
I hope this does not bother you.

I don't hate on MSE i have it on my laptop and i had it beforeon this desktop.

Anyways the Safety scanner detected 4 issues related to java, i will scan local C once more.

As far as checking for drive errors do you want me to "Automatically fix file system errors." or Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sector... or both ? on what drives? All? ( I have a feeling this will take... LONG)
If so how can i schedule it to do all one after another ?

The memory scan has been schedule for next restart most likely after the safety scanner test will i restart.

 

[DustSailor]

Chris,

It doesn't bother me one bit. Though I may be strongly opinionated, it is your computer, and your software. I will only make suggestions, and you must filter what you would like to try. I appreciate you letting me know that you don't want to try that, most people just skip over without letting me know the steps they've taken. Also, others often have different opinions than I do. I am also not an MSE fanboy, so I've linked you in my previous post to a discussion on the AV security topic, if you'd like to read what others have experienced with many different AVs. You probably won't want to read all of it (its long).

For the drive errors, use both options offered. Let me know how it goes, and take as long as you like, I feel no need to rush anything as long as you don't.

If you don't use java (today, many people don't seem to use it very often, or even need to), then I strongly recommend removing it completely. It is highly susceptable to viruses. I have had difficulty removing java from my computer, so if you would like, you might try using Revo uninstaller free (Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems) to remove it with. It is more thorough than Control Panel's uninstaller.

If you do use java, make sure it updates automatically so as to ensure that updates block most of the security holes that are found. I've had mine updated and I practice relatively safe web browsing, but I was still infected. MSE found and removed the culprits for me, then I removed java with Revo uninstaller. No longer a chance to get infected through java.

Also Chris, in my signature at the bottom of my post is a link to "optimize Windows". There you will find methods to increase speed and performace, some of which may help you (couldn't hurt at least). You might look through it and see if there is anything that you would like to use. It could free up resources and allow the black screen not to come up too often

 

[DustSailor]

Did you say if your computer was running hot or if you've cleaned out the computer of any dust? Also, you might consider using sleep mode (perhaps without hybrid sleep - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/778-power-plan-settings-change.html). This way the computer can rest, and when it boots, it is near instantaneous. Try it out to see if it helps any, as you've mentioned that the problem only happens with the computer on a few days or more.

 

[johnnya]

Hi Chris. Just a quick observation- when you get just a black screen and blinking cursor, It sounds like you are able to get into Task Manager - CTL-ALT-DEL but it disappears when you use any options. The next time this happens and you have Task Manager open, on the Applications Tab, try hitting the New Task button and then type in - explorer - and hit enter. This should at least get you back to your normal desktop. Not sure why this happening but this workaround might get you by.
Cheers
JohnnyA

 

[chris1neji]

Ok just updating HDD check for errors has been done twice on all drives and partitions.
Memory Check has been done.

I will now move on foward with the rest of the suggestions one at a time.

Sorry but no i do not suffer any issues with computer overheating. I don't even run into that after leaving games running overnight when i did play games.

Sleep mode will be on to do list. How do I do this?
Optimize Link will be on to do list. My computer isn't slow... most of that is done. Anything in particuler you wanted me to do.

Johnnya i wanted to try and reinitialized explorer.exe however as soon as i click open task manager my screen is black however i will see it open for about a split second before the black overtakes everything

 

[Jacee]

Please download TFC by Old Timer TFC - Temp File Cleaner by OldTimer - Geeks to Go Forums and save it to your desktop.
Save any unsaved work. TFC will close ALL open programs including your browser!
Double-click on TFC.exe to run it. If you are using Vista/Windows 7 right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator.
Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process and let it run uninterrupted to completion.
Important! If TFC prompts you to reboot, please do so immediately. If not prompted, manually reboot the machine anyway to ensure a complete clean.

*** info: TFC (Temp File Cleaner) will clear out all temp folders for all user accounts (temp, IE temp, java, FF, Opera, Chrome, Safari), including Administrator, All Users, LocalService, NetworkService, and any other accounts in the user folder. It also cleans out the %systemroot%\temp folder and checks for .tmp files in the %systemdrive% root folder, %systemroot%, and the system32 folder (both 32bit and 64bit on 64bit OSs). It shows the amount removed for each location found (in bytes) and the total removed (in MB). Before running, it will stop Explorer and all other running apps. When finished, if a reboot is required the user must reboot to finish clearing any in-use temp files.

Next,
Run an online scan with ESET ....

1. Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
   ESET OnlineScan
2. Click the
   
   button.
3. For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
   1. Click on
      
      to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
   2. Double click on the
      
      icon on your desktop.
4. Check
   
5. Click the
   
   button.
6. Accept any security warnings from your browser.
7. Check
   
8. Push the Start button.
9. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
10. When the scan completes, push
    
11. Push
    
    , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
12. Push the
    
    button.
13. Push
    

 

[chris1neji]

Jacee just letting you know TFC - has been completed and I finish my reboot. One thing after i restarted which is not your fault and i have ran into before multiple times. is a restart message saying
"Operations are in progress. Please wait.
The Machine will be turned off automatically after the operations are complete."this lasted well over 20 minutes.

I consider this issue completed seperate however i feel like i should report anything that isn't normal. I believe this happens because of windows backups or possible acronis backups i havent figuered this out yet.

 

[Jacee]

Did you download MS updates that are still trying to install? And yes, it could be a scheduled backup.

 

[chris1neji]

Nope no windows updates were being done.
Anyways after about 13 hours the scan finished . Sadly it seems my system is not clean.

Anyways this computer has been on for about 1 day, it takes about 2 or 3 more days for the problem to appear if its still happening.
I have added an attachment of ESET scan results

 

[gregrocker]

You have many good suggestions given here already. There are some others in these troubleshooting steps
to work through, particularly achieving a clean boot and running the Malwarebytes full scan which is unequaled.

I'd also set Sleep at 30-45 minutes and Hibernate at 60-90 minutes to give it a rest. It has the benefit of saving your work from the desktop so you can walk away without worrying about it, and resumes about twice as fast as a cold start.

 

[stevieray]

To me, this looks like a graphics card issue. Your specs say "slight modifications"... did you add more HDDs? Is this the native GPU? Perhaps this is just an underpower issue -- the power supply could be starving the GPU.

 

[chris1neji]

@gregrocker i will get to your Link and follow your steps sometime within next 10 hours.
Currently running malwarebytes fully updated and scanning all drives.. ( I hate scans )

@Stevieray Your right it could be a GPU issue. However my power supply is an antec 550-watts continues which is probably about twice as my original power supply. Keep in mind my CPU is weak and is consider low power consumption CPU. The GPU(MOD) is just a XFX ATI HD4650 1GB. I don't believe over heating is an issue either plenty of space as the case is Antec 300.

So put it briefly
Yes I added more HDD (2 actually)
The GPU was added on, it was originally running on integrated gfx.
I do not believe the issue is not enough power.

Thank you all i greatly appreciated.