Member Avatar for GerryD

Hi folks it's been a while so I don't know if I'm posting in the right place but I'm pulling my hair out. I recently had a problem when my screen started freezing while playing solitare now when I try to boot up I just get a black screen full of zeros. I've done a bit of googling & it's pointing to a dodgy graphics card. Is there any way to rectify this easily as I need to wait for a while before I can purchase another one. Anyone out there can help it would be very much appreciated.

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This thread (May 2011) records reporting a “black screen full of zeros” after a freeze. Contributors suggested a stuck key (), bad RAM () and seating/installation issues (). later replaced the graphics card and the problem was resolved. The checklist below is written for readers who encounter the same symptom and want a quick, methodical way to narrow causes before buying parts.

Recommended non-destructive tests:

  • Disconnect the keyboard (or try a different keyboard) to rule out a stuck key sending repeated characters.
  • Swap monitor and cable (VGA/DVI/HDMI) or try the same PC on another display to eliminate cable/monitor faults.
  • Power down, unplug, ground yourself, then reseat the GPU and its PCIe power connectors; inspect for obvious damage or dust.
  • Remove the discrete GPU and boot on integrated video (if available) to see whether the zeros persist.
  • Boot with minimum hardware (one RAM stick, no extra PCI cards, drives disconnected) and listen for motherboard POST beeps; consult the board manual for codes.
  • Clear CMOS (battery out ~30 seconds or use jumper) to rule out corrupted firmware settings.
  • If the system can boot to external media, run memory tests (memtest86+) and a live OS to separate hardware from driver/OS issues.
  • When feasible, test the suspect GPU in a known-good machine or test a known-good GPU in the problem machine.

Notes and cautions: follow ESD precautions, disconnect mains before swapping parts, and avoid BIOS flashing unless the board/GPU vendor explicitly recommends it. If a GPU is confirmed faulty, verify the PSU has the required wattage and connectors before installing a replacement.

Recommended Answers

All 10 Replies

Member Avatar for Rik_

Have you checked that the zero key isn't stuck down on your keyboard?

Member Avatar for jingda

What mean is, is your zero key jam means it is like soemone holding it down. How old is your laptop?

Member Avatar for Guest_oo0

May be a Faulty RAM you need to swap it with a known good one.

Member Avatar for GerryD

Tried ram in another machine & their all fine i'll be trying the graphics card in the other machine soon before i splash out on a new card hopefully that will be the source of the problem.

Member Avatar for jingda

Maybe your graphic card is not installed properly or maybe it's time to change a new one.

Edited by jingda because: n/a
Member Avatar for Rik_

Do you actually want some help or are you just here to spam? I suspect the latter!

Member Avatar for GerryD

Rik sorry you don't apperciate people looking for a bit of help, but if you must know I don't spam & I have just purchased a new Graphics card things are looking good again. Thanks to all who tried to help.

Member Avatar for Rik_

GerryD, my post wasn't aimed at you. We had a spammer in this thread who has now been deleted. He tried to make out that he had a similar problem to you.

Member Avatar for jingda

Good luck to you GerryD and bad luck to the spammer. Heard that the spammer got banned and hope all is well for now...
So GerryD do you have any more problems

Edited by jingda because: n/a
Member Avatar for GerryD

Thanks again to all who tried to help everything running fine for now.

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