Windows shows blank screen

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08-09-2009, 02:14 PM
sunkast

Windows shows blank screen

This is an unusual and difficult problem to describe that I'm having. I am having an intermittent problem unlocking my computer. Usually when I go to bed, I lock my computer, you know where it just display the welcome screen and a place to enter you password...

Well lately when I get up for the day my monitor won't display anything. Other times it will show the screen to enter my password and log in, but when I do, instead of showing my desktop, it's just black/blank. My keyboard still responds. I can press the num lock key and see the LED turn on and off. But still can't see anything on my monitor. Only way to fix it is to reset my computer.

It's a rather difficult problem to diagnose since it's intermittent, and the only words I can think of to describe it are general, which makes searching for help equally as difficult. I have checked the monitor cable and it is plugged in tight, so that is unlikely to be the problem.

For the record, I am using Windows 7 RC. Has anyone encountered a problem like this before? Or have any ideas on how to troubleshoot this?
08-09-2009, 03:09 PM
bbcrackman

Wirelessly posted

IMO sounds like a vid card issue. I am running Win 7 RC on both my laptop and desktop without any issues. Could also be just your monitor telling you its time to replace. If you have a laptop hook the monitor to that and see if you can duplicate the issue
08-09-2009, 03:23 PM
sunkast

No laptop but I have a couple of spare computers. It's weird because this really only started about 3 weeks ago. And I have been running Win 7 RC since it came out in may. I'm hoping it isn't the vid card. I wish the problem wasn't intermittent so I could troubleshoot it. It only ever happens when I go to bed and get up in the morning. Of course the troubleshooting computer issues isn't exactly the first thing I want to do when waking up either heh.
08-09-2009, 06:25 PM
bocaccio

Did you make a backup of your C: before you installed Windows 7?
I had it on my Desktop and my wife ended up not liking it so i had to put Vista back on it. Sooner or later I'll put it on my personal notebook though. We had ur problem and it was on the Desktop. Two screws on the male end of the end of the vid card cable. One was loose and had to be screwed back in.
08-09-2009, 09:44 PM
apuntsel

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunkast

This is an unusual and difficult problem to describe that I'm having. I am having an intermittent problem unlocking my computer. Usually when I go to bed, I lock my computer, you know where it just display the welcome screen and a place to enter you password...

Well lately when I get up for the day my monitor won't display anything. Other times it will show the screen to enter my password and log in, but when I do, instead of showing my desktop, it's just black/blank. My keyboard still responds. I can press the num lock key and see the LED turn on and off. But still can't see anything on my monitor. Only way to fix it is to reset my computer.

It's a rather difficult problem to diagnose since it's intermittent, and the only words I can think of to describe it are general, which makes searching for help equally as difficult. I have checked the monitor cable and it is plugged in tight, so that is unlikely to be the problem.

For the record, I am using Windows 7 RC. Has anyone encountered a problem like this before? Or have any ideas on how to troubleshoot this?

I concur with BBC, sounds like a video card problem ... is it a standalone card or integrated into the motherboard? If you have someone that you can borrow a card from, I would try and swap that out first and see if it helps. Win7 RTM (and RC) has been pretty stable thus far.
08-09-2009, 10:14 PM
sunkast

Quote:

Originally Posted by apuntsel

I concur with BBC, sounds like a video card problem ... is it a standalone card or integrated into the motherboard? If you have someone that you can borrow a card from, I would try and swap that out first and see if it helps. Win7 RTM (and RC) has been pretty stable thus far.

I like the way you think. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone that I can borrow a vid card from. Thankfully it's not integrated into the motherboard, so if I do need to replace it, it will be easy.
08-09-2009, 10:47 PM
apuntsel

I have the 8600 GT as well (PNY branded). The latest driver for that is 8.15.11.8635. Do you turn the monitor off at night or just let it go into sleep mode? From the control panel in power options, did you make any changes there? Just maybe something else to check.
08-09-2009, 10:55 PM
sunkast

Quote:

Originally Posted by apuntsel

I have the 8600 GT as well (PNY branded). The latest driver for that is 8.15.11.8635. Do you turn the monitor off at night or just let it go into sleep mode? From the control panel in power options, did you make any changes there? Just maybe something else to check.

Mine is EVGA branded. I usually turn the monitor off when I go to bed. Though I don't think that has anything to do with it since I can turn the monitor back on in the morning and see the log in screen. But who knows really. The driver version that I have is 8.15.11.8171. I'll look for the update.
08-12-2009, 09:47 AM
BBphreak

I've seen issues like this on Windows 7 BETA with a GeForce 6600 Go Vid Card on my laptop, I haven't experienced any issues like this with Win7 RC1 however. Are you sure your running RC1 and not a beta copy? What is the build of the OS your running?

Start->Run->CMD-> C:\>ver

I'm not sure if you already mentioned this or not but be sure to run Windows update to be sure that you have the latest video card drivers release by M$ for Win7 installed ....
08-12-2009, 12:33 PM
sunkast

Yes, I am sure it is Win 7 RC. It does seem to be a problem with Windows. It happened again today, so I went to another computer I have and tried to log on using Remote Desktop. It didn't work, just gave me a time out error after I entered my password. I looked in the event log to see if there were any warnings or errors that could clue me in as to what happened, but didn't see anything.

So now I have updated the video driver to .8635. We'll see how this goes.
08-18-2009, 03:50 PM
JessicaD

Sunkast,
Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 RC Support Forum located here Windows 7 Category . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams. You may want to check the threads there for additional support and troubleshooting ideas.
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team
08-18-2009, 04:15 PM
sunkast

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessicaD

Sunkast,
Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 RC Support Forum located here Windows 7 Category . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams. You may want to check the threads there for additional support and troubleshooting ideas.
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

Thanks Jessica. I will check it out. And welcome to BlackberryOS.
08-18-2009, 08:55 PM
apuntsel

Windows update had a new video driver a couple of days ago, latest should now be 8.15.11.9038
08-31-2009, 12:05 AM
nolimitzr1

A+ cert'd as a hobby im going for a driver issue with win 7. if it cold boots no problem its software related vid card is not underload when locked like that so not overheating id say but a pull a cleaning wouldnt hurt and reinstall.
08-31-2009, 12:17 AM
sunkast

Oh yeah meant to update this... After updating the vid card driver a little over a week ago, I haven't had any problems. Looking to get my A+ soon too. Just found it quite strange having not had a problem for over a month, then having it happen intermittently.
08-31-2009, 12:22 AM
Brett Wyman

I have the A++ software testing exams that we used to prep us in Tech School. I really should catch up on those again.
08-31-2009, 12:37 AM
sunkast

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackberryOS

I have the A++ software testing exams that we used to prep us in Tech School. I really should catch up on those again.

I have a book but could never get myself to sit down and actually read it. So I'm looking to take some actual classes. I have a good amount of experience, even built my own computer. Just don't have the stuff to back it up.
09-18-2009, 01:31 AM
siber54

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunkast

This is an unusual and difficult problem to describe that I'm having. I am having an intermittent problem unlocking my computer. Usually when I go to bed, I lock my computer, you know where it just display the welcome screen and a place to enter you password...

Well lately when I get up for the day my monitor won't display anything. Other times it will show the screen to enter my password and log in, but when I do, instead of showing my desktop, it's just black/blank. My keyboard still responds. I can press the num lock key and see the LED turn on and off. But still can't see anything on my monitor. Only way to fix it is to reset my computer.

It's a rather difficult problem to diagnose since it's intermittent, and the only words I can think of to describe it are general, which makes searching for help equally as difficult. I have checked the monitor cable and it is plugged in tight, so that is unlikely to be the problem.

For the record, I am using Windows 7 RC. Has anyone encountered a problem like this before? Or have any ideas on how to troubleshoot this?

OMG Sunkast it is Called Sleep or hibernation TURN IT OFF. and go to power settings and change some things.
09-18-2009, 10:32 AM
sunkast

Quote:

Originally Posted by siber54

OMG Sunkast it is Called Sleep or hibernation TURN IT OFF. and go to power settings and change some things.

I have those turned off already.
09-18-2009, 10:34 AM
sunkast

Well how strange is this. For the past 2 weeks or so since updating the video driver it's been fine. This week it starting coming up blank again when I log in. Why it was fine for 2 weeks and now wants to do it again, is really odd. I have once again updated the video driver and will see what happens.

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