Blank screen after login (sometimes)

[tommy2k8]

I cannot log in to Windows 7 Professional - all the system does is hang after initial login (after the password has been entered.) However, I can log in using Safe Mode with Networking (but not Safe Mode!). I did a chkdsk /f /r - it reported and repaired corrupt index entries. This let me log in normally but after a while, after a restart, same thing happened.
Disk is fine, Linux (I booted with a Live CD) reports that the file system is not clean.
I booted back into Safe Mode with Networking, ran sfc /scannow 3 times, said everything was working fine, no errors; ran Dism /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth which yeilded the attached log file (RestoreHealth however doesn't work, presumably because the system I am working on is not Windows 8.)
I am running out of ideas!

 

[GokAy]

See through this list:
- Boot with Last Known Good Configuration (F8 menu)
- Restore to a prior date (System Restore) - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html
- Scan for malware (Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free)
- Try a clean startup http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
- Check if explorer.exe is running and start from CTRL+ALT+DEL (task manager - new task)
- Verify in registry: HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsot\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon to make sure 'shell = explorer.exe'
- Follow http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
- Check Disk - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html
- Try loading defaults in BIOS
- Update all your drivers
- Check out the interesting solutions in black screen with cursor only [Solved] - Cursor - Windows 7

 

[tommy2k8]

See through this list:
- Boot with Last Known Good Configuration (F8 menu) - The option isn't there. All I get is Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and Start Windows Normally.

- Restore to a prior date (System Restore) - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html - I did this, but System Restore completed unsuccessfully

- Scan for malware (Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free) - all clean

- Try a clean startup http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/179159-troubleshoot-application-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html - I did ths but had to boot into SMWN again as same black screen.

- Check if explorer.exe is running and start from CTRL+ALT+DEL (task manager - new task) - did that.

- Verify in registry: HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsot\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon to make sure 'shell = explorer.exe' - affirmative

- Follow http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html - no problems - slcdetails attached.

- Check Disk - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html - did this multiple times, however, on fourth time it corrected corrupt file index structures!

- Try loading defaults in BIOS - the machine won't let me load the BIOS!

- Update all your drivers - All up to date

- Check out the interesting solutions in black screen with cursor only [Solved] - Cursor - Windows 7

- will do this tomorrow.

Additions:

There are the odd occasions when I can boot normally but not that often.
I ran the Lenovo diagnostics - black screen occured while doing memory test twice. However, I did the Windows Memory Diagnostics and there were no errors detected. I tried to test doing Memtest, but the laptop kept rebooting, it wouldnt even start Memtest!

 

[GokAy]

Memtest or Memtest86+? Should be 86+
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

It is indeed different that you don't get black screen always.

How does it not let you access BIOS? Error/nothing happens/no keys to press shown/etc?

 

[tommy2k8]

This is very strange.
Won't let me run MemTest (CD or USB) or anything else - just automatically goes to Startup Repair!
F1 to get into the BIOS does the same thing so does F12 to boot from a temporary external device.

 

[GokAy]

Are you sure keyboard is working properly? Do you get any feedback on screen upon F1 or F12? Is this a laptop or desktop?

 

[tommy2k8]

Laptop and yes the keyboard is working properly, as I can press Enter to get into Startup Repair

 

[GokAy]

Oh, just noticed you said "blank" not "black"
Tried a clean startup? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
What security software are you running?

I will ask others about the BIOS and Boot Menu.

 

[rvcjew]

Tommy what model is this laptop some lenovo have a novo button that is pressed while the pc is off to get a menu for boot order, recovery, and bios. So please if you do not know the model take a picture of it open and we can figure it out based on that.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Tommy mate I think it might be worth a run with this Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 it will boot and scan on it's own maybe something has got into the BIOS.

Another one that can be tried to is this one same set up Index of /rescue_cd/

- there are others

 

[tommy2k8]

Oh, just noticed you said "blank" not "black"
Tried a clean startup? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
What security software are you running?

I will ask others about the BIOS and Boot Menu.

Sorry, I did mean black!

AVG Free 2015 is the security software.

 

[tommy2k8]

Tommy what model is this laptop some lenovo have a novo button that is pressed while the pc is off to get a menu for boot order, recovery, and bios. So please if you do not know the model take a picture of it open and we can figure it out based on that.

It is a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E320. I have backed it all up, but in the Recovery Options, is there an option to keep the data intact?

 

[rvcjew]

Tommy what model is this laptop some lenovo have a novo button that is pressed while the pc is off to get a menu for boot order, recovery, and bios. So please if you do not know the model take a picture of it open and we can figure it out based on that.

It is a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E320. I have backed it all up, but in the Recovery Options, is there an option to keep the data intact?

I'm not sure if there is, does it say it is putting it to factory state? If so it will wipe the main partition first. it will give you two options to pick from if you can, but I would doubt it has it. What did you back it up with, was it one key? I don't know if this laptop has one key or not. EDIT: wait if you got to recovery does that mean you can now get into the bios as well with its key command?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just another two cents worth for using HW Info


Using HW Info

PART A:

You can test the volts on the PSU with HW Info HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download <download the right bit version and close the right hand window select Sensors and scroll down to the power section where you will see what the volts are doing see my pic. In my pic the section (Nuvoton) with VBATT is a dead give away you are in the section for the rail voltages. There are other section titles and one that pops up often is ITE

Now the voltage on the different rails have to be within 5% =+/- of what is required or the machine will not work properly if at all.

See this for the rail voltage info

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-specifications-atx-reference,3061.html (Section 2.)

The original right hand window shows the machine running and is handy for that but for looking at the components in some detail close it and use the main left hand side panel

FOR OTHER COMPONENTS

PART B:

Open each small square with + in it on the section the components are in and then click on the individual component/s (it will highlight in blue) - in the right hand side will appear all sorts of details including brands speeds and other essential info that particular device. See pic for example.

Just out of interest just how old is this machine because I cannot find any support for it?

 

[tommy2k8]

Back up.... I haven't tried Recovery yet!
Bad news... When I press Enter to get the boot options (Resume normally, enter BIOS, or boot from any external device foud), it doesn't recognise USB, CD (although the external CD / DVD drive does spin up). Im stuck now!

 

[tommy2k8]

Just another two cents worth for using HW Info


Using HW Info

PART A:

You can test the volts on the PSU with HW Info HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download <download the right bit version and close the right hand window select Sensors and scroll down to the power section where you will see what the volts are doing see my pic. In my pic the section (Nuvoton) with VBATT is a dead give away you are in the section for the rail voltages. There are other section titles and one that pops up often is ITE

Now the voltage on the different rails have to be within 5% =+/- of what is required or the machine will not work properly if at all.

See this for the rail voltage info

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-specifications-atx-reference,3061.html (Section 2.)

The original right hand window shows the machine running and is handy for that but for looking at the components in some detail close it and use the main left hand side panel

FOR OTHER COMPONENTS

PART B:

Open each small square with + in it on the section the components are in and then click on the individual component/s (it will highlight in blue) - in the right hand side will appear all sorts of details including brands speeds and other essential info that particular device. See pic for example.

Just out of interest just how old is this machine because I cannot find any support for it?

The laptop is 5 years old.

 

[rvcjew]

Back up.... I haven't tried Recovery yet!
Bad news... When I press Enter to get the boot options (Resume normally, enter BIOS, or boot from any external device foud), it doesn't recognise USB, CD (although the external CD / DVD drive does spin up). Im stuck now!

You probably have to go into the bios and either turn on legacy boot, usb boot, or enable legacy usb devices. After reading your manual it looks like you just need to change your boot mode to legacy to boot off the cd drive if you want. https://support.lenovo.com/de/de/docs/UM007961

 

[tommy2k8]

Thankyou, but I have booted from CD before (Wednesday actually). Strange.

 

[GokAy]

Maybe drive is going bad?

Tried uninstalling AVG yet?

 

[tommy2k8]

Sorry, yes I did - didn't make a difference.