Black screen on cold boot

bobbymcgee

bobbymcgee

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 4, 2015
Posts
148
Location
NJ
Greetings, ok here's the thing for about a month or so my friends pc boots to a black screen >welcome scree>black screen and finally desktop.All updates are up to date(including drivers) sfc /scannow reports no problems, antivirus is Bitdefender(also up to date) This occurs on cold boot,restart,and safe mode with networking. Any help is always appreciated. Thnx :huh:
 
Hi again bobbymcgee


Actually, if the sequence is black screen - welcome screen - black screen - desktop = that might be a bit slow, but it's normal. The screen appears black at system startup while the Bios hands things over to Windows (which usually shows the 4-blue-panel-windows design while loading, then the login -or Welcome- screen).

If you mean that the sequence takes three restarts to get things going, you might want to look in the error logs (with EventViewer) for clues. I would guess that a faulty app/driver/file is holding things up (it the machine needed to catch up on a lot of Windows Updates, that would explain long stretches of heavy disk activity and a black screen for quite a while at system startup times.... the updates have four different stages for preparing, downloading, installing, and configuring).

Is this a different system than the one that reverted back to Windows 7 in mid-March? If not, a system reinstalled using a Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 DVD would have over 150 or so updates to grab and install ... I just redid an older computer for a client, and he wanted Windows 7 on it.

If there is no restarting happening, just slow boot times ... see if the trouble goes away in a few days. Also have a look in the error logs.
 
Greetings,thnx for the reply first off I hate win 10 lol. Event viewer shows no errors did a malware scan > no issues.This is a different pc by the way. Here's the best way I can describe what's going on boot up to product discription(Dell) and boot options>little bluish/green window>black screen>big blue light streaming (welcome/logon)window>black screen>desktop. Someone suggested I check if BIOS is up to date.(I really don't like messing with bios). Why can't it just boot to desktop.bypass logon and make me and others happy lol. So, any suggestions? And again thnx. :thud:
 
How long is this whole process taking? I agree with Gary and this may be perfectly normal and what you are seeing is the switching between the various "handshaking" processes going on between Windows and the graphics solution (card or integrated) and the graphics solution and the monitor during the boot process. The system may just be working through the native drivers and settings then the loading the specific drivers and switching between native and final resolutions and refresh rates.

Sorry you don't like W10. It really is worth trying to get used to. W7 is already pushing 7 years old. W10 (when working correctly) is more secure and typically faster than previous versions of Windows. But of course, especially with older hardware, it does require the hardware makers to release compatible drivers. If it is the W10 UI you don't like, there are very inexpensive or free ways around that too. I use and recommend Start10. It costs just $5 and is well worth it IMO. It allows you to make W10 look and feel like W7. It has a 30 day free trial period so it costs nothing to give it try. Others like Classic Shell. It is totally free but some (like me) feel it is more bulky with features most don't need or ever use.
 
Hi again everyone

Sorry I'm so late answering .... lots of projects to do!

The new login works a lot like the way newer smartphones work: first the "lock screen", then the "login screen", then the user interface with icons & all. An average Windows 10 computer can boot up to the "lock screen" anywhere from 20 seconds to a minute. It shouldn't normally take a full minute to show the lock screen ... when it takes that long, usually something new has been plugged in, or an update is busily configuring itself. You might be able to shave off a few seconds from the startup process if there is a "Fast Boot" option in the computer's Bios. If you aren't comfortable entering the Bios Setup, then don't worry about it....it's not that big a difference.

Hopefully, over time, the boot process will speed up. Most new computers take a while to catch up to the latest versions of things (they've been on the store shelves for a while).

Cheers
 
OldGrayGary said:
Hi again everyone

Sorry I'm so late answering .... lots of projects to do!

The new login works a lot like the way newer smartphones work: first the "lock screen", then the "login screen", then the user interface with icons & all. An average Windows 10 computer can boot up to the "lock screen" anywhere from 20 seconds to a minute. It shouldn't normally take a full minute to show the lock screen ... when it takes that long, usually something new has been plugged in, or an update is busily configuring itself. You might be able to shave off a few seconds from the startup process if there is a "Fast Boot" option in the computer's Bios. If you aren't comfortable entering the Bios Setup, then don't worry about it....it's not that big a difference.

Hopefully, over time, the boot process will speed up. Most new computers take a while to catch up to the latest versions of things (they've been on the store shelves for a while).

Cheers
Click to expand...

Greetings, NP with late response,as always appreciate your getting back to me.thnx for the heads up on this. I still don't like win10 but once all the bugs are out I guess I'll give a shot lol. :thumbsup2:
 
I still don't like win10 but once all the bugs are out...
Click to expand...
Actually, W10 is remarkably reliable. I would not worry about bugs. With approximately 30+ million lines of code, no doubt it will never be bug free. But it is by far, the most stable, fastest, and most secure Windows version yet.

By the way, I loved DOS and didn't like Windows 3.x - until I got used to it. Then I didn't like W95 - until I got used to it. Same with 98/SE, then again with XP, and so forth. In fact, I liked XP so much, I refused to migrate to Vista. But then W7 came out. I didn't really like it at first either, but I felt security trumped everything else so I migrated all my systems to W7. And it really did not take long before I got used to it too. Then XP looked old and clunky - and it was. W8 was actually a great OS too, once you got past the UI (thanks to Start8! ;). Same with W10 (with Start10, anyway).

Don't wait too long. The free upgrade offer for W10 runs out in July.

Getting back to the problem with your friend's PC, you still have not told us how long this boot process is taking. It could still be a normal thing happening.
 
Digerati said:
I still don't like win10 but once all the bugs are out...
Click to expand...
Actually, W10 is remarkably reliable. I would not worry about bugs. With approximately 30+ million lines of code, no doubt it will never be bug free. But it is by far, the most stable, fastest, and most secure Windows version yet.

By the way, I loved DOS and didn't like Windows 3.x - until I got used to it. Then I didn't like W95 - until I got used to it. Same with 98/SE, then again with XP, and so forth. In fact, I liked XP so much, I refused to migrate to Vista. But then W7 came out. I didn't really like it at first either, but I felt security trumped everything else so I migrated all my systems to W7. And it really did not take long before I got used to it too. Then XP looked old and clunky - and it was. W8 was actually a great OS too, once you got past the UI (thanks to Start8! ;). Same with W10 (with Start10, anyway).

Don't wait too long. The free upgrade offer for W10 runs out in July.

Getting back to the problem with your friend's PC, you still have not told us how long this boot process is taking. It could still be a normal thing happening.
Click to expand...

Greetings,it takes anywhere from 1:30 -2:00 min. system(Dell etc)>welcome/logon>desktop. I use classic shell myself. When I had win 7 I didn't have to sign in (name and password did not appear on screen) It went from system> welcome/logon>desktop in under :30. :cool3:
 
Greetings,it takes anywhere from 1:30 -2:00 min.
Click to expand...
If a hard drive, this could still be normal.
When I had win 7 I didn't have to sign in (name and password did not appear on screen) It went from system> welcome/logon>desktop in under :30.
Click to expand...
You don't have to use a password to sign into W10 either. But it is advisable.
 
Digerati said:
Greetings,it takes anywhere from 1:30 -2:00 min.
Click to expand...
If a hard drive, this could still be normal.
When I had win 7 I didn't have to sign in (name and password did not appear on screen) It went from system> welcome/logon>desktop in under :30.
Click to expand...
You don't have to use a password to sign into W10 either. But it is advisable.
Click to expand...

No. what I'm tryimg to explain with win 7 and win 10 is in win 10 your name(picture) and password(alllthough this is shown as ....... appears on welcome/logon screen where as in win 7(at least with mine) none of these appeared.It booted showed welcome screen then went to desktop. no picture no name no password was shown.
 
Hi again

"Feeling nearly faded as my jeans ..."

I've just had another cup of coffee, so I can type another post! bobby - you can use the AutoLogon applet from SysInternals on this newer computer if you'd like. That way you still have a password (so that any online exploits would still have to vault that hurdle) but your password is entered automatically at system power up. It would bypass the "lock screen"/"login screen" steps (and you might want to turn off "require a password" for your computer when "waking from sleep").

Here's the link to the Microsoft/SysInternals "Autologon" utility:
Autologon

Oh, and have a look to see if "fast startup" is enabled or disabled (you want it enabled):

To Enable Fast Startup in Windows 10


1) Right-click the Windows 10 Start menu
2) Select Power Options.
3) Select Choose what the power buttons do.
4) Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
5) Scroll down to Shutdown settings & place a checkmark in the option box Turn on fast startup.
6) Select Save changes to save and exit.


To disable fast startup, follow the same steps, but remove the checkmark (in step 5).

Guess what ... I found my step-by-step sleep/wake/password setting instructions! Here they are:



Four step process to have Windows 10 automatically enter user password at startup, and to not require passwords after "waking" from "screen-saver","sleep", or "hibernation".


1 - Instructions for the AutoLogon utility:
---a) Download the program from Microsoft/SysInternals -- Autologon
---b) You will see a file "AutoLogon.zip" in your Downloads folder
---c) Right-click the "AutoLogons.zip" file, and select "Extract All"
---d) In the pop-up window, select "Extract"
---e) Double-click on Autologon.exe to start the program
---f) Enter the Username for your account in the Username box
---g) Enter the password in the Password box
---h) Click on Enable
---i) You can now exit the program.


2 - Screen Saver (Power Options):
...a) Right-click the Windows Start Menu icon
...b) Select Power Options
...c) Select Require a password on wakeup
...d) Select Change settings that are currently unavailable
...e) Select Don't require a password (in the Password Protection on Wakeup section)
...f) Select Save Changes


3 - Screen Saver (Personalization)
...a) Right-click the Windows Start Menu icon
...b) Select Control Panel
...c) Select Personalization
...d) Select Screen Saver (it's on the lower right corner)
...e) If there is a check mark in the option box in front of "on resume, display logon screen" - remove that check mark by clicking on it.
...f) Select OK


4 -Account (Sign-in Options)
...a) Click on the Windows Start Menu icon
...b) Select Settings
...c) Select Accounts
...e) Select Sign-in options
...f) In the drop-down menu under Require sign-in, select Never
_________________________

Hopefully this will alleviate some of the slow startup blues (though they might make for a decent harmonica/guitar song)....
 
No. what I'm tryimg to explain with win 7 and win 10 is in win 10 your name(picture) and password(alllthough this is shown as ....... appears on welcome/logon screen where as in win 7(at least with mine) none of these appeared.It booted showed welcome screen then went to desktop. no picture no name no password was shown.
Click to expand...
Not sure you can get rid of that screen completely but there is an easy way in W10 to enter it once, then never have to enter it again. The screen appears, then quickly moves on. Watch this quick video to see how.
 
OldGrayGary said:
Hi again

"Feeling nearly faded as my jeans ..."

I've just had another cup of coffee, so I can type another post! bobby - you can use the AutoLogon applet from SysInternals on this newer computer if you'd like. That way you still have a password (so that any online exploits would still have to vault that hurdle) but your password is entered automatically at system power up. It would bypass the "lock screen"/"login screen" steps (and you might want to turn off "require a password" for your computer when "waking from sleep").

Here's the link to the Microsoft/SysInternals "Autologon" utility:
Autologon

Oh, and have a look to see if "fast startup" is enabled or disabled (you want it enabled):

To Enable Fast Startup in Windows 10


1) Right-click the Windows 10 Start menu
2) Select Power Options.
3) Select Choose what the power buttons do.
4) Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
5) Scroll down to Shutdown settings & place a checkmark in the option box Turn on fast startup.
6) Select Save changes to save and exit.


To disable fast startup, follow the same steps, but remove the checkmark (in step 5).

Guess what ... I found my step-by-step sleep/wake/password setting instructions! Here they are:



Four step process to have Windows 10 automatically enter user password at startup, and to not require passwords after "waking" from "screen-saver","sleep", or "hibernation".


1 - Instructions for the AutoLogon utility:
---a) Download the program from Microsoft/SysInternals -- Autologon
---b) You will see a file "AutoLogon.zip" in your Downloads folder
---c) Right-click the "AutoLogons.zip" file, and select "Extract All"
---d) In the pop-up window, select "Extract"
---e) Double-click on Autologon.exe to start the program
---f) Enter the Username for your account in the Username box
---g) Enter the password in the Password box
---h) Click on Enable
---i) You can now exit the program.


2 - Screen Saver (Power Options):
...a) Right-click the Windows Start Menu icon
...b) Select Power Options
...c) Select Require a password on wakeup
...d) Select Change settings that are currently unavailable
...e) Select Don't require a password (in the Password Protection on Wakeup section)
...f) Select Save Changes


3 - Screen Saver (Personalization)
...a) Right-click the Windows Start Menu icon
...b) Select Control Panel
...c) Select Personalization
...d) Select Screen Saver (it's on the lower right corner)
...e) If there is a check mark in the option box in front of "on resume, display logon screen" - remove that check mark by clicking on it.
...f) Select OK


4 -Account (Sign-in Options)
...a) Click on the Windows Start Menu icon
...b) Select Settings
...c) Select Accounts
...e) Select Sign-in options
...f) In the drop-down menu under Require sign-in, select Never
_________________________

Hopefully this will alleviate some of the slow startup blues (though they might make for a decent harmonica/guitar song)....
Click to expand...


Greetings OGG, followed your 4 tips it did as you instructed, no logon(password etc.) got it to boot in under :30. It's a step in the right direction. Thnx for the help. Not sure if you're a Joplin fan but PBS has a doco on her tomorrow night at 8:00pm.( sry not sure of your time zone) Thnx again for your help. :thumbsup2:
 
Glad to hear things improved a bit!

[saw the promo for the Joplin special .... I'm hoping they'll post it on their pbs.org site eventually, so I can stream it sometime when I have the time. I'm a fan of all good music and good artists ... they enrich our lives so much ... I wish Ms Joplin could have had a little happier way through her troubled years, it was hard to see her vanish & not get to enjoy what would have been her "golden years".... ]
 
I'm a fan of all good music and good artists ... they enrich our lives so much ... I wish Ms Joplin could have had a little happier way through her troubled years, it was hard to see her vanish & not get to enjoy what would have been her "golden years".... ]
Click to expand...
I wonder about things like this all the time - including how much more they could have contributed to music (and our way of life) had folks like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly, Amy Winehouse, Sam Cooke, Bob Marley, Otis Redding, John Lennon, Elvis, Jim Morrison - to name but a few - had lived and continued to make music. I was fortunate to have a dad who was an engineer and got into audiophile quality music reproduction early in the late 50s and loved good music. And a sister who was 6 years older than me who loved all the latest music too. So I got caught up by listening to my dad's music, then stayed current listening to my sisters, and stayed that way with my own. I am grateful that I was exposed early. In fact, repairing audiophile equipment was my first love in electronics way back in the early 70s before I got into computers.

By the way, my very first concert was The Doors in Tucson in 1968! Long live rock and roll!
 
Digerati said:
I'm a fan of all good music and good artists ... they enrich our lives so much ... I wish Ms Joplin could have had a little happier way through her troubled years, it was hard to see her vanish & not get to enjoy what would have been her "golden years".... ]
Click to expand...
I wonder about things like this all the time - including how much more they could have contributed to music (and our way of life) had folks like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly, Amy Winehouse, Sam Cooke, Bob Marley, Otis Redding, John Lennon, Elvis, Jim Morrison - to name but a few - had lived and continued to make music. I was fortunate to have a dad who was an engineer and got into audiophile quality music reproduction early in the late 50s and loved good music. And a sister who was 6 years older than me who loved all the latest music too. So I got caught up by listening to my dad's music, then stayed current listening to my sisters, and stayed that way with my own. I am grateful that I was exposed early. In fact, repairing audiophile equipment was my first love in electronics way back in the early 70s before I got into computers.

By the way, my very first concert was The Doors in Tucson in 1968! Long live rock and roll!
Click to expand...

Greetings folks, well you got me beat, mine was Woodstock 1969. Makes me glad to know there are still diehards out there who enjoy the early stuff. I agree with both of you they all left too young. Peace to you both and again thanks for the help. :cool3:
 

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