Intermittent black screen on boot
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  1. #1
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    Intermittent black screen on boot

    P6T mobo, 12 RAM, Win 7 Ult.

    On bootup I get 'Starting Windows' then a blank (black) screen. I've got Automatically Reboot on Error turned off.

    Memory was suspect so I've been testing with memtest whenever the machine booted but I found no errors. The fans are all working so it isn't overheating. I've removed the most recent installations.

    I got into Safe Mode once and ran antivirus - all clear. I might not be able to get Safe Mode anymore because the problem is getting worse.

    What do I do from here? System Restore?

    Is there an error log that might hold a clue?

    Thanks - rev

  2. #2
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    You'd need to enable the boot log.
    https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/tr...p-of-msconfig/

    You could try a System Restore, but we don't know what the exact problem is.

    Did you run a hard drive diag also?

  3. #3
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    By some fluke, I got in, so obviously I'm going to enable the boot log and run HD tests. What else can I do now that I'm in?

    The fact that the machine just booted means it can't be a problem with the mbr (correct?) because that isn't something that can fix itself.

  4. #4
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    You could look at Event Viewer to see if there are any errors.

    It's probably not an MBR issue, but I would still run a HD diag.

  5. #5
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    Event Viewer says Kernel Power (Error 41)
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...-without-clean

    Mostly related to memory, power and overheating. I can rule out overheating, Real Temp shows no problems. Memory was always suspect so I'll continue testing that. We often have power cuts where I am, maybe something got scrambled.

  6. #6
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    We often have power cuts where I am, maybe something got scrambled.
    That's possible. You should really be using a UPS in that case.

  7. #7
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    Assuming that's the case, would a Repair unscramble it?

  8. #8
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    Repair? If you mean System Restore, it's possible. I would still run a hard drive diag first. You want to make sure the hardware is good before you waste time messing with software.

  9. #9
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    I ran a Quick Check on C:\ and baled out half way through a long check, no problems found. I've successfully booted 2 or 3 times in succession but since I don't really know what the problem is, I can't say it's solved. I'm checking the logs.

  10. #10
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    You should really allow the Long/extended HD diags to complete. I've had cases where errors appear towards the end.

    Stable power is a basic necessity. Like I mentioned before, you should get a UPS if the power is unreliable in your area.

  11. #11
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    What if it's none of the above. What if it's booting into Sleep Mode and not coming out?

    I was doing a backup when the last failure occurred, I lost the display but the machine was still running and based on the activity light, the backup appeared to be still in progress. Perhaps the machine is only failing to give me a display.

  12. #12
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    What if it's booting into Sleep Mode and not coming out?
    I have never heard of that happening.

    It's hard to say since there are different symptoms. First, it's memory. Then it won't boot. And now you're saying it's video.

    I'm guessing you didn't see anything in the boot log?

  13. #13
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    >I have never heard of that happening.
    Neither had I but it happens, see this:
    https://www.google.com.mx/search?q=l...hrome&ie=UTF-8

    >First, it's memory.
    Only a guess but I found no problems.

    >Then it won't boot.
    Not booting was the original problem, memory was a suspect for the cause.

    >And now you're saying it's video.
    No, I'm saying what if it's booting into sleep mode and not coming out of it. Both can happen.

    I found nothing in Event Viewer other than that error 41, which is related to power loss. Start Windows Normally should fix that and permanent damage can't repair itself so if I'm accessing the machine occasionally, there can't be permanent damage.

    Safe Mode works fine, it's been running all day with no problems, in normal mode it would shut down in about 20 minutes, especially when idle.

    I set the sleep options to Never but I haven't rebooted yet.

  14. #14
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    That's technically not "booting" into sleep mode. That's more like unable to get out of sleep mode.

    It's really hard to pin down the problem without logs or any other signs. Are you using a UPS or not? It's also possible that the PSU is flaky.

  15. #15
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    >That's technically not "booting" into sleep mode.
    I'm not sure I agree with you there because it has to go into before it can fail to come out of Sleep Mode. But either way I'm down and I need to try something. So I'm going to use Last Known Good Config.

    I'll be back.

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