Pc problem : (

[Osok]

Hey folks got a little pc problem that popped up a few days ago. Upon start up right after windows loads all i get is a black screen. I can usually see my mouse. If i let it sit for long enough sometimes it loads the background, and sometimes i can even get some icons to pop up, but nothing more then that. When I did get some of my desktop loaded i attempted to go update drivers, and change some screen resolution. Nothing would open. I attempted to open firefox, it opens but says i have no connection. When firefox did open the window looked very simple and "old" looking. Read up on it and so far it sounds like it could be anything. Some say that it could be as simple as drivers, also read that it could be anything from heatsink, graphics card, power supply, mobo, and maybe even the CPU?

Not sure what to do here, and would appreciate any help thx Osok : )

Current PC/setup
Intel Core2 duo E8400 3.0g
Asus P5nd mobo
Corsair XMS2 4g ram
Geforce 9600GT graphics
500w PS
Stock fans, and stock heatsink.
250g seagate HD
Windows XP pro
Currently on a 22in widescreen monitor set at 1680 by 1080

 

[yellowbadger52]

ok well have you tried to boot the pc in safe mode? That would help eliminate if it was a driver issue? Try it and maybe we can figure out if its hardware or software related.

Have you updated any drivers lately or installed any new stuff?

 

[Osok]

Tried booting in both "safe mode" and "safe mode with networking" niether worked. Last time i updated drivers was a few months ago. Also this may be of some importance that i left out- A day before things went crazy i did do some windows updates which made me restart. After restart my antivirus(Viper) freaked out and blocked "system.exe" (i believe thats what it was) from changing settings. TBH i was a little confused at what had actually happened when my antivirus blocked it, usually it gives me a pop up with "block" or "allow", but that wasnt the case this time. It just said Viper blocked the following from changing system settings(or something to that extent) . So common sense would say that could be the cause?

 

[Lida Baarova]

Try restoring your system to a date that you know worked fine. Lets see if that works and we'll take it from there.

 

[Dieinpeace]

my guess would be that it is that anti virus but do like lida said and do a system restore to when you know it was runing good. If that doesnt work take it back to before the last windows update. I had a similair issue to this with a viturial drive i installed. my fix was complexed and took forevr for me to figure out but evently i ended up reinstalling windows and install the drive first before any of the updates. But you should have to do that with this you could just easily disable the viruses scanner.

 

[Gagoloth]

Sounds Like your loaded with viruses :O !!!

Iv had that happen to other friends that had no anti-virus protection basically what happens is that your hard drive is being eaten up by them little buggers.it has so much of them it stops your windows from starting up here is what to do..


reboot your pc when your on the screen that shows all your specs for your pc spam F8 until you hit boot type.

1:Reboot in sefe-mode with networking.

2:when windows starts up download [ame="http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html"]AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition [/ame] or [ame="http://download.cnet.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html"]Spybot - Search & Destroy[/ame] or [ame="http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html"]Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus[/ame] then update that program with new definitions files {should do it Automaticlly}.


3:do full scan not smart scan Let it go untill complete.


It should pic up a crap load of viruses then hit clean up botton After that download [ame="http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Anniversary-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html"] Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition [/ame]this scans for umm you could call them mini viruses do full scan and kill them little buggers.



If that dose not work then you have driver problems or your windows libarary files are completely corrupted which the salution to that would be to Re-formate your pc..




Gag...

 

[Nonarac]

Im 99% possitive this may not be the problem, However, i have seen RAM do this to computers... if you have mutiple sticks, try switching them out... Again, this is probably not the problem... just a side note. Oh.... Does it POST?

 

[HeavenKiller]

Im 99% possitive this may not be the problem, However, i have seen RAM do this to computers... if you have mutiple sticks, try switching them out... Again, this is probably not the problem... just a side note. Oh.... Does it POST?

Best guess is that is does post, since he is getting into windows but windows itself isn't becoming operational. Although what Gagoloth said about installing all the software is all well and good, and will most likely work for some portions of the viruses and other malware, the fact is without having an internet connection there is no way to get them. Also, I've usually found that if your computer gets to this point, it really doesn't matter what you try to fix it, you're likely talking a full format and reinstallation of your O/S to get it taken care of anyways. A complete reinstall shouldn't take more than 3-6 hours (Depending on what you need to put back on) whereas you'll take that long just trying to get the network to work so you can potentially download the packages Gag was promoting, and even then there is no guarantee that they will fix your system, let alone fully take care of the problem...

 

[Stevontoast]

Also, I've usually found that if your computer gets to this point, it really doesn't matter what you try to fix it, you're likely talking a full format and reinstallation of your O/S to get it taken care of anyways.

That should ALWAYS be a final option
Do all the other things said
Start with safe mode with connections and download the anti-viruses and scan
If that doesn't work
Systems restore it
If THAT doesn't work
Format.

NOTE
I have had this issue before
It is a driver, yes?
Just system restore it and it'll be fine
I was well scared when it did this to me...
It boots up and loads the desktop and then suddenly goes black and nothing will run
System restore SHOULD fix it, as it did for me
^___^

 

[HeavenKiller]

Why does everyone assume that a format is a bad thing? It is a fact that as your computer ages and gets used it gets bogged down (especially internet connected computers) and windows is not the pristine O/S everyone makes it out to be. Basic system maintenance includes formatting your computer every 6 months to a year and defragmenting your HDD's every month as a minimum (more if you are installing and downloading information). Once you deal with enough of these issues, you realize that unless you come up with an implementable solution within a half hour to an hour, a full reinstall will likely be quicker and save you time in the long run. I can't speak for anyone else, but my time is valuable, especially since I only have a limited amount of it on this earth. The more time you spend trying to "fix" the problem and reinstating your bogged down O/S, the more it turns into wasted time.

Personally, I'd rather just wipe it and start over with a new O/S install. That way, I know I dealt with the problem rather than fighting half-hour and hour long solutions (that begin to add up) trying to hope I fix it.

That being said, doesn't anyone actually read the thread before they post?

Hey folks got a little pc problem that popped up a few days ago. Upon start up right after windows loads all i get is a black screen. I can usually see my mouse. If i let it sit for long enough sometimes it loads the background, and sometimes i can even get some icons to pop up, but nothing more then that. When I did get some of my desktop loaded i attempted to go update drivers, and change some screen resolution. Nothing would open. I attempted to open firefox, it opens but says i have no connection.

No connection and no ability to open windows means no adaware, spybot, or anything else. Also, it implies no ability to access a system restore point.

Tried booting in both "safe mode" and "safe mode with networking" niether worked.

Safe mode didn't help, therefore you still can't restore it or even access the internet to get tje required programs. Also, there is nothing saying the software will work, if it is a virus, it is likely to be so embedded by this point, adaware, spybot and AVG will not be able to eliminate the problem.

2:when windows starts up download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition or Spybot - Search & Destroy or Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
Gag...

Gag, not to be cruel, however AVG and spybot are not interchangeable in the least. One is a malware remover, the other is an anti-viral software package.


Anyways, that about sums it up. If you were to use a Anti-viral/firewall program, I would more than recommend COMODO internet security. It is free, and has some really nice packages in it that will alert you when anything tries to install itself. If has to be configured and "learn" when you first get it, but once it is past it's learning stage, it is a great piece of software.

 

[Osok]

How do I get to my system restore points? And also if that doesnt work how do i get to the reformat part to?

Also thx to everyone for all the advice.

 

[Jake_25]

this is what happend to my pc we couldnt aford to try to keep fixing it

 

[HeavenKiller]

To reformat, all you need is an O/S disk (windows XP or Vista) and the knowledge to go into the Bios Menu and have it boot form CD. Once you boot form CD you can format the entire drive by deleting the partition and recreating one. Then it is installing the O/S, updating the O/S, updating the drivers for your hardware, and installing your options (games and the like). If you need more direction, send me a PM or something and we can talk.

 

[Gagoloth]

To reformat, all you need is an O/S disk (windows XP or Vista) and the knowledge to go into the Bios Menu and have it boot form CD. Once you boot form CD you can format the entire drive by deleting the partition and recreating one. Then it is installing the O/S, updating the O/S, updating the drivers for your hardware, and installing your options (games and the like). If you need more direction, send me a PM or something and we can talk.

best bet is to reformat just wipe the thing..

 

[Stevontoast]

How do I get to my system restore points? And also if that doesnt work how do i get to the reformat part to?

Also thx to everyone for all the advice.

Windows XP

Start > All Programs > Accessories > Systems Tools > System Restore

Windows Vista

Start > Type in search bar Systems Restore

Formatting

Get a windows disc.
If you bought windows with the pc you won't have one and you might need to buy yourself a new one...
Slap it in your E: drive and hit F8 when you boot your PC up, it'll come up with a list of bootable options, select you E: drive and it will load the CD.
When it asks where you want to store your windows you can right click the harddrive which is the one you want to format and the click format.
It'll wipe it clean and then reinstall windows on the harddrive you want it

 

[Dieinpeace]

To reformat, all you need is an O/S disk (windows XP or Vista) and the knowledge to go into the Bios Menu and have it boot form CD. Once you boot form CD you can format the entire drive by deleting the partition and recreating one. Then it is installing the O/S, updating the O/S, updating the drivers for your hardware, and installing your options (games and the like). If you need more direction, send me a PM or something and we can talk.

This option will fix your problem. But make sure you backup anything you want to keep that you wont be able to find agian.