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Black screen of death?

Well then, that's fantastic news! :) Thank you for letting me know what you did, that will prove useful for future reference!

Fingers crossed it keeps working, if not, you know where to come and what to do!

You are most welcome - it's been a pleasure working with you. Glad I have been of assistance.

Stephen
 
I had the same issue - it was eventually traced to a faulty/failing A/C adapter, which caused the battery to completely drain while the system was hibernating or sleeping - even though the A/C adapter was plugged in & A/C light was on.
 
I had the same issue - it was eventually traced to a faulty/failing A/C adapter, which caused the battery to completely drain while the system was hibernating or sleeping - even though the A/C adapter was plugged in & A/C light was on.

Interesting, I don't hibernate or sleep mine though so I don't think that was my problem. It fired up no problems now for 2 days. Hoping issue is gone.
 
Not a problem! That's great news! :-D

Well woke up this morning an guess who came for a visit.....Correct....Mr. Blackscreen!!!!! Funny once again I installed some Windows updates yesterday and got Black screened today? Anyway not asking for help just wanted you to share in my joy. Will do the process ASUS told me again to see if it fixes it. May also try to "unseat" the memory. Argh!!!!! Randy
 
Hi -

When you get the system back up, change Windows Updates settings to "Download, but let me choose which to install" - or similar.

Then install them one at a time; re-boot after each.

Hopefully, this will help to determine which, if any, Windows Updates are the actual cause of this phenomenon.

I'm removing [SOLVED] for now. :(

Regards. . .

jcgriff2
 
Well got Black Screen again this morning. Going to try the "reseat memory" next. Weird stuff. Randy
 
Hi,

Sorry to hear about that... If you try re-seating the RAM, be sure to follow proper ESD procedures. ESD, or Electo-Static Discharge, is where static electricity in your body that naturally builds up whilst walking on carpets and from some types of clothing, is transferred to the computer component. This can damage the component.

Some helpful steps on removing the RAM.

Writhziden said:
  1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug all power sources to the system: unplug the power from the outlet/surge protector or PSU (then remove the battery if it is a laptop).
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds (for your safety and the safety of the components) to close the circuit and drain all power from components.
  4. Remove the casing (or remove the RAM panel if it is a laptop).
  5. Remove all but one memory modules making sure you are grounded while doing so.
    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.​
  6. Replace the casing (or replace the RAM panel if it is a laptop) and put the remaining memory module(s) in a safe, static free environment.

However, instead of removing all but one module, simply remove both modules and then put them both back in again.

Stephen
 
Well now the memory reseat theory is dead. Did it all before I fired it up this morning and to no avail, Black Screen. Man is this frustrating. I can tell as soon as I fire it up if it's going to because I'll see the screen light up a little when I first fire it up and it works. When I see no light I know it's going to black screen. I guess the next thing to try is to back it up and re-install from scratch. Will need to see if ASUS will send me a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit disc for re-install though. Fun, Fun, Fun. Argh!
 
Sorry to hear that...

Hopefully a reinstall will prove successful. See my earlier post for links and directions on how to clean install -

1) Perform a repair install of Windows. This will preserve all your documents and reinstall Windows. You will have to reinstall your programs though, but it won't touch your pictures, documents etc. https://www.sysnative.com/forums/windows-7-|-windows-vista-tutorials/3900-in-place-upgrade-install-windows-windows-7-windows-vista.html

2) Perfom a full, clean install. This will wipe everything and reinstall Windows. https://www.sysnative.com/forums/windows-7-|-windows-vista-tutorials/3899-backup-and-clean-install-windows-windows-7-windows-vista.html

3) Send it off to ASUS and get them to repair it. This is looking like to GPU (Graphics card) or a Motherboard issue. If you send it off, be sure to back up all your data, because they may wipe the HDD and reinstall Windows themselves. If you can, send them a copy of this thread to tell them what is happening, and what troubleshooting steps we have tried. My expectation would be for ASUS to replace the GPU, Motherboard or perhaps the screen. These are all things that you cannot do yourself unfortunately.
 
Before doing a clean re-install, could you please do one more thing?

  1. Press Win+R to open Run dialog
  2. Type MSCONFIG and press Enter
  3. Navigate to Boot tab
  4. Under Boot options, select Boot log
  5. Click OK and reboot the computer
  6. Wait until you face the black screen issue at least two times
  7. After you receive the black screen for the second time, attach C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt file here
  8. Let us know dates and times of the both black screens
It's a long shot, but here's a small chance we could see that during both times OS stuck when loading some specific driver.
 
Will do, however I'm worried because I can tell almost within milliseconds if it's going to do because I don't see that little bit of light that the screen flickers when it does boot. Then again why would it only do it after a shutdown of hours not minutes? Will do though thanks for the suggestion. Really not looking forward to backing up system and all that entails. Randy
 
Well now the memory reseat theory is dead. Did it all before I fired it up this morning and to no avail, Black Screen. Man is this frustrating. I can tell as soon as I fire it up if it's going to because I'll see the screen light up a little when I first fire it up and it works. When I see no light I know it's going to black screen. I guess the next thing to try is to back it up and re-install from scratch. Will need to see if ASUS will send me a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit disc for re-install though. Fun, Fun, Fun. Argh!

Do you always see the post screen?

Then the screen flickers and (usually) goes out?

Meanwhile, the HDD light is blinking away like the system is in fact running?

Get an external monitor and plug it in; fool with the FN + F4 keys (usually the combination on laptops) --- to get the external to be recognized.

I bring all of this up because I have a Fujitsu A6030 (2007 era) and the "inverters" (not sure if that is the correct term or not) went out causing the phenomenon I described -- I always see at least part of post screen; then screen flickers/dims, then black - but the system is undoubtedly booting up and running.

I figured out that was the case after I plugged an external VGA monitor to the laptop. A hardware expert figured out it was the inverter (again - not sure if that was the part or not that went bad).

Regards. . .

jcgriff2
 
Well now the memory reseat theory is dead. Did it all before I fired it up this morning and to no avail, Black Screen. Man is this frustrating. I can tell as soon as I fire it up if it's going to because I'll see the screen light up a little when I first fire it up and it works. When I see no light I know it's going to black screen. I guess the next thing to try is to back it up and re-install from scratch. Will need to see if ASUS will send me a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit disc for re-install though. Fun, Fun, Fun. Argh!

Do you always see the post screen?

Then the screen flickers and (usually) goes out?

Meanwhile, the HDD light is blinking away like the system is in fact running?

Get an external monitor and plug it in; fool with the FN + F4 keys (usually the combination on laptops) --- to get the external to be recognized.

I bring all of this up because I have a Fujitsu A6030 (2007 era) and the "inverters" (not sure if that is the correct term or not) went out causing the phenomenon I described -- I always see at least part of post screen; then screen flickers/dims, then black - but the system is undoubtedly booting up and running.

I figured out that was the case after I plugged an external VGA monitor to the laptop. A hardware expert figured out it was the inverter (again - not sure if that was the part or not that went bad).

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

jcgriff2, First let me say thank you for trying to help me fight this force of evil I call Black Screen. Steven AKA Tekno Venus already had me try the external monitor trick to no avail. Funny it hasn't Black Screened on me now for 4 days (knock on wood). I'll share a little more what I've noticed both when it boots and when it doesn't. As I've said before but I'll try to explain in a little more detail now, I can tell as within 1 or 2 seconds if it's going to fire up. If it's GOING to boot the screen will within 1 OR 2 seconds of me hitting the power light up. When I say light up it's not a bright light just a brightness that I can see it's working. It flickers the light then goes black then goes to ASUS logo screen. Hope that answers something. Now onto if it's going to black screen on me. When it's going to black screen the screen has no life signs. The other thing as I mentioned before but will mention again is, when it first black screened I use to be able to just wait long enough for it to have gone into windows. Now understand the whole time the screen is completely black. Once I knew it had gone into windows I just would hit the windows key arrow right x2 then the arrow up x2 which would be the restart windows option and it would reboot and fire up fine. However now when I try that it does nothing and I have to hold the power button down to shut it off and hit the power button again and it fires right up. That's why I don't think it's a hardware issue because you would think it would fail at other times. As far as the HDD light flickering I'm guessing that means the hard drive light? I never really looked to see. I will if it does it again. I guess I should have known to check that. Well I'm not sure if this sheds any "light" (pun intended) but that's the best explanation I can give. Thanx, Randy
 
Before doing a clean re-install, could you please do one more thing?

  1. Press Win+R to open Run dialog
  2. Type MSCONFIG and press Enter
  3. Navigate to Boot tab
  4. Under Boot options, select Boot log
  5. Click OK and reboot the computer
  6. Wait until you face the black screen issue at least two times
  7. After you receive the black screen for the second time, attach C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt file here
  8. Let us know dates and times of the both black screens
It's a long shot, but here's a small chance we could see that during both times OS stuck when loading some specific driver.

OK Black screened this morning 4:30am. Was a nice run. Went probably 10 days without doing it. Will wait for it to do it again then will attach what you requested.
Randy
 
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