Member Avatar for shegs

every time I restart it hangs after the boot screen with a blank screen my keyboard lights all turn on and everything is unresponsive.
when I restart from there I get the boot selet screen that asks if I want safe mode.
I first instictivly choose last known good settings. - same deal
so then I choose safe mode and restore to an earlier date, doesnt matter what date I choose or what installs I choose to have undone it almost always works correctly after that.

and then next time I restart the same thing happens again

any ideas...

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by hp/compaqdave

Dani AI

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A compact troubleshooting path that builds on ' note and 's hardware-isolation idea for . The symptom (blank, unresponsive after the boot logo but recoverable after a restore) points to something that starts between POST and the desktop — usually a driver, service, or storage/media issue. Collect evidence first, then change one thing at a time.

Start by collecting logs and verifying system integrity. After a successful boot, examine Event Viewer (Windows Logs -> System/Application) for errors at the exact failure times. Enable boot logging (msconfig -> Boot -> Boot log) and check C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt after the next restart. Run these checks from an elevated prompt to fix or reveal filesystem problems:

sfc /scannow
chkdsk C: /f /r

Driver and memory checks next. A misbehaving video or disk driver can produce a blank screen even though lights indicate power. From a working session, uninstall the display driver in Device Manager (choose to remove driver files) and reinstall the vendor driver. Use Driver Verifier to stress-test third-party drivers (caution: it can force a crash for diagnosis) and run a memory test:

verifier
mdsched.exe

Isolate software with a clean-boot sequence (msconfig or Task Manager -> Startup); hide Microsoft services and disable remaining nonessential services/startup items, then reboot to see if the hang stops. For newer Windows builds, check Fast Startup (Power Options) — disabling it can resolve some boot hangs. Also verify BIOS/UEFI video initialization, reseat GPU/RAM/cables, and run a full disk surface test if chkdsk shows problems.

If logs point nowhere, keep a short timeline of changes between a good and bad boot (driver, firmware, AV, USB device). Back up data before aggressive tests (Driver Verifier, BIOS updates, full disk repairs). If the issue remains elusive, a repair install or an in-place upgrade can be the last practical step.

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Member Avatar for hollystyles

I had this sort of problem recently (not on 64bit OS standard 32bit but maybe that's not relevant here). It was windows update trying to install latest critical patches in the background. So I did the restore thing like you and booted, first thing I did after that was launch IE and selected windows update from the Tools menu and went through a manual update. After that no more problems.

Member Avatar for shegs

will try.... updates soon...

... edit... seemed to work for now
will keep posted if it turns out to be a fluke
thanks for the advice

Member Avatar for hollystyles

No problem. If it is solved and you come over all warm and fuzzy, you could click that little link that reads "Add to hollystyles's Reputation"

It's up to you.

Member Avatar for hp/compaqdave

Try Unplugging All Added Hardware.ie:printers,scanners,webcams.take It Down To Bare Bones:kbd,mouse, Your Kbd,and Mouse Are Usb,unplug Them As Pc Boots To Windows Fine,plug In One Removed Device,then Restart,and Continue On Untill You Find Boot It Is Added Hardware Causing Issues,reinstall Original Drivers For Offending Device And Retry.process Of Elimination May Take A Bit Of Time,but Usually Worth Effort,at Least You May Be Rid Of Idea That Hardware Is Causing Issue.another Thing,if External Parts Are Not Creating Issue.you May Want To Ensure That All Internal Parts Are Tight In Thier Respective Spots.reseat Ram In Dimms,reseat Ide/sata Cables For Hdd,optical Drives,reseat Pci,pciexpress Cards,agp Cards,etc.

Good Luck

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