Black screen following Windows update

[kneidels]

Hi there

My desktop updated itself on Friday - using Windows 8.1.
This has happened in past - that during/after the update, the PC restarts itself, to a blank black screen.

* during boot up, i get nothing on the screen - no windows icon, no login screen - nothing.
* the screen itself remains on hybernate mode, with the light blinking. I can switch it off and then on - and then for a few seconds it shows the 'DVI' connection icon, till going to sleep again. I also have a second screen connected via HDMI - similar situation.
* i do hear the PC working, fans are on, and the DVD drive will open/close, lights are on.
* no mouse cursor visibnle at all . I plugged in a wired mouse too - nothing.
* no keyboard activity - no lights will go on, like CAP
* the pc is not showing up on my teamviewer list on my other computer - so i am guessing that it isnt connected to the network either
I am guessing that all peripherals are disabled or no drivers loaded.

I have tried pressing F8 and F2 during the bootup process (after reboot with the restart button on the box) - but nothing works, i guess because the keyboard isn't available yet...

In the past, when this happened a couple of times - the computer eventually came back on its own after a day or 2 without me doing anything. Unfortunately i cant wait for this to happen....

Can anyone suggest what can be done in a situation like this?

Thanks a mil

 

[junkeymonkey]

well if you cant resolve or enter safe mode to do a system restore you may can by using the your retail windows disk ??

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/how-do-i-fix-a-boot-startup-problem

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/what-happened-to-backup-restore

if it something to do with a usb driver and why your keyboard is not working to enter you may try a older ps/2 keyboard [I keep on of them handy for this reason ] to see if it will work where usb can fail ??

 

[kneidels]

Hi Junkey

Thanks for the reply.

I don't even have a PS2 connector on my PC, and even so - the screen isnt coming on either, so I wouldnt even know if i am getting into the BIOS...

The CD might be worth a try - thanks

 

[junkeymonkey]

not ps2 [playstation] , but a ps/2 -as for mice and keyboards

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_port


I did not see any new windows 8.1 updates that been reported to cause this ??? I don't know weather you should reseat the card and be sure all plugs and cables are hooked up or you monitor just failed or turned off ??
may try to clear cmos ??

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2176429/clear-cmos-works.html


unless you can get to desktop to do uninstall of the update you think caused this ??? back up restore from the disk maybe you only option if the rest fails ??

why I never allow auto updating and inspect and review /read notes on all updates before downloading and installing to see if they warrant declining ...

 

[kneidels]

Thanks very much for your time.
I landed up taking it to a technician... he found there was a short on the Mobo.. by the ram sticks. he changed to the other 2 slots and now it working.

He said it could have happened from a powercut.

does this make sense?

thanks again

 

[junkeymonkey]

man with electronics anything can be ?? power serge - poor part quality - manufacturing defect that just popped up the list goes on and on

could be just one of those things and your the unlucky ones ? happens to the best of us

thing is if true you now know you got a defective board now ?? trhen how will it affect things from here on out ? may run forever may go a month before something else it causes to pop up ?? just think on a plan if the forever part of things don't work out I guess ??

all you can do is the best you can on that and what you feel is right

good luck

 

[kneidels]

Thanks - i hear what you are saying, thanks for the heads-up. you are right. I run my business off this PC, so i gotta be careful.

 

[junkeymonkey]

tough call , all you can do is what you feel is best - thing is if it corrupts something on the hard drive or shorts and just kills the hard drive you maybe 100% out ?? then it may run for years to come with out anymore issue ???

I guess monitor any unusual or extra ''funny business ''.. may better start backing up the data on your hard drive just in case if its something you cant afford to loose or hard to get back ??

good luck

good luck

 

[kneidels]

Yup, i actually bought an external HD last week, so I am going to start backing up ASAP..

Thanks again!

 

[junkeymonkey]

sorry I could not give a best answer but just my best opinion on all that.. hope it works out

good luck