Question Black screens spaced weeks apart ?

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harmony44

harmony44

Jun 23, 2021
36
0
30
I am having black screens for a few seconds issue on Windows 10 that I’ve seen many other posts about on Tom’s Hardware. My black screens happen very far apart from each other, the last one that happened was 4 weeks ago, and the most frequently they happened together was in February when one week, it happened every day (twice a day) for 4 days straight. I’m confused because everyone else’s black screens happen much more frequently, i.e. every 20 minutes or at least once a day. Mine used to happen around once a week or two weeks. I’ve already read maybe 10 threads on this site but still can’t figure out my problem – please help? I work in a technical field but I’m not a computer expert so apologies in advance if I do the specs wrong.

My PC Laptop is as follows:
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2 in 1, purchased around 2018
i7-8550U
NVIDIA GeForce MX130
Dell Inc. 0PRWJ1
Installed RAM 16Gb
Philips 325E1C 32" Super-Curved Frameless Monitor, Quad HD 2K, 123% sRGB, 75Hz FreeSync, VESA (2 of these)
Keyboard: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3
OS: Windows 10

All Windows updates up to date
CPU Temperature 33 degrees Celsius
GPU Temperature – can provide if helpful, was having some issues with MSI Afterburner, I don’t usually game
All drivers are up to date
Monitors were 5 months old when problems started happening
Not a cables problem – unplugged them, plugged them back in, swapped them out with new ones, no behavior change
Had an IT expert check that my startup application settings are good
 
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I have 15 Scan Results like this (below), but no 15 logs that accompany these Scan summaries. I was worried about being hacked because of the irregularity of my black screens. Aren't they supposed to be occurring with more frequency like every day if it were a hardware/software reason? The black screens still occur(ed) often enough to be a disruption, but not often enough to fit the profile of many of the other threads on Tom's Hardware I read about others having black screens too.

4BB553634AC556A180E9F1182E26487ED1323C1F8868DA569BA092C7BAF1585C
{
"applicationVersion" : "4.3.3.116",
"chromeSyncResetQueryRequested" : false,
"chromeSyncResetQueryResult" : false,
"clientID" : "556dfea6-b0e0-11eb-9d5d-b46bfcc91dfe",
"clientType" : "scheduledScan",
"componentsUpdatePackageVersion" : "1.0.1292",
"coreDllFileVersion" : "3.0.0.1120",
"cpu" : "x64",
"dbSDKUpdatePackageVersion" : "1.0.40570",
"detectionDateTime" : "2021-05-18T14:11:52Z",
"fileSystem" : "NTFS",
"id" : "fe91d63f-b7e2-11eb-b567-b46bfcc91dfe",
"isUserAdmin" : true,
"licenseState" : "trial",
"linkagePhaseComplete" : true,
"loggedOnUserName" : "System",
"machineID" : "",
"os" : "Windows 10 (Build 19042.985)",
"schemaVersion" : 18,
"sourceDetails" : {
"aggressiveMode" : false,
"clientMetadata" : {
"jobId" : "",
"scheduleId" : "",
"scheduleTag" : ""
},
"ddsigEnabled" : true,
"filesScannedByIG" : 0,
"objectsScanned" : 315757,
"scanEndTime" : "2021-05-18T14:18:36Z",
"scanOnlineStatus" : "offline",
"scanOptions" : {
"pumHandling" : "detect",
"pupHandling" : "detect",
"scanArchives" : true,
"scanFileSystem" : true,
"scanMemoryObjects" : true,
"scanPUMs" : true,
"scanPUPs" : true,
"scanRookits" : false,
"scanStartupAndRegistry" : true,
"scanType" : "threat",
"useHeuristics" : true
},
"scanResult" : "completed",
"scanStartTime" : "2021-05-18T14:11:52Z",
"scanState" : "completed",
"shurikenEnabled" : true,
"type" : "scan"
},
"threats" : [

],
"threatsDetected" : 0
}
 
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The MalwareBytes scans generally did not find much wrong with my computer. I know the logs are more telling, but MB didn't point out too many files that are a risk. Of the few files that were a risk, I quarantined them.
 
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OK, no black screens since we did the changes so far! But that's only been several days. Question for you - could a computer problem like black screens go away on their own without my doing anything to fix them? I was having the most black screens in February and March, remember I said almost every day...then I moved locations city wise and there were only two distinct black screen issues since the move. This is close to the last 2 months. So there might have been a black screen once every 3 weeks in the last 2 months. But I just don't understand...black screens are never supposed to occur, so even if it's once a week, that's not right right? Could there be another minor reason why a monitor might flash off and on for a few seconds every now and then? I don't think that should happen either right? It bugs me that it had to have happened a few times since the move, letting me know something is wrong but not with the regularity a more ("normal" ?) frequency would have. What are your thoughts? Could something change on my computer by itself that would alleviate the black screens problem? Is it possible for black screens to now happen irregularly (once a 2 weeks) - can there be a reason for the low frequency? - but still happen obviously to sight?
 
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"Anything we can do to diagnose?"
As you have the time, same as before, logs & SS.

Next step.

Download the latest version of Farbar.

Copy & Paste the text below ( starting CreateRestorePoint: ) save it into Notepad on your Desktop & name it fixlist.txt
NOTE: It is important that Notepad is used. The fix will not work if Word or some other program is used.
NOTE: It is important that both files, FRST64 and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.
NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on that particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system.

CreateRestorePoint:
emptytemp:
closeprocesses
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox: Restriction <==== ATTENTION
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox: Restriction <==== ATTENTION
HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001\...\Run: [Spotify] => C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\Spotify.exe [24049800 2021-06-10] (Spotify AB -> Spotify Ltd) <==== ATTENTION
Edge Extension: (No Name) -> AutoFormFill_5ED10D46BD7E47DEB1F3685D2C0FCE08 => C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets\HostExtensions\AutoFormFill [not found]
Edge Extension: (No Name) -> BookReader_B171F20233094AC88D05A8EF7B9763E8 => C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets\BookViewer [not found]
Edge Extension: (No Name) -> LearningTools_7706F933-971C-41D1-9899-8A026EB5D824 => C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets\HostExtensions\LearningTools [not found]
Edge Extension: (No Name) -> PinJSAPI_EC01B57063BE468FAB6DB7EBFC3BF368 => C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets\HostExtensions\PinJSAPI [not found]
SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001 -> DefaultScope {C84038C0-A678-4D63-ADA9-82D80491793E} URL =
SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001 -> {C84038C0-A678-4D63-ADA9-82D80491793E} URL =
S4 DBUtilDrv2; \SystemRoot\System32\drivers\DBUtilDrv2.sys [X]
CustomCLSID: HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001_Classes\CLSID\{84B5A313-CD5D-4904-8BA2-AFDC81C1B309}\InprocServer32 -> C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\GoToMeeting\16180\G2MOutlookAddin64.dll => No File
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Microsoft\TeamsMeetingAddin\1.0.20244.4\x64\Microsoft.Teams.AddinLoader.dll => No File
ContextMenuHandlers5: [igfxcui] -> {3AB1675A-CCFF-11D2-8B20-00A0C93CB1F4} => -> No File
FirewallRules: [{7E3BDA24-396A-4C2D-B80A-E7FFB0031605}] => (Allow) C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Temp\7zS0A04\HP.EasyStart.exe => No File
FirewallRules: [{BEB83C81-F1A3-4244-96DB-35C618DC3913}] => (Allow) C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Temp\7zS785E\HPDiagnosticCoreUI.exe => No File
FirewallRules: [{95DF4064-BECF-4C8A-A0AF-DD0B98196D86}] => (Allow) C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Temp\7zS785E\HPDiagnosticCoreUI.exe => No File

Open FRST64 and press the Fix button just once and wait.
If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that, let the tool complete its run.
When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt). Please Copy & Paste the contents into your reply.
Refer these SS if needed.
https://imgur.com/xTu6PFk
View: https://i.imgur.com/xTu6PFk.gif
or http://fs5.directupload.net/images/160724/72ewmng9.gif
https://imgur.com/VI0Kepw
View: https://i.imgur.com/VI0Kepw.gif
or http://fs5.directupload.net/images/160724/ydize94g.gif
https://imgur.com/v9Vo7ph
View: https://i.imgur.com/v9Vo7ph.gif
or http://fs5.directupload.net/images/160724/74v8epf5.gif
https://imgur.com/BrZoLf8
View: https://i.imgur.com/BrZoLf8.gif
or http://fs5.directupload.net/images/160724/64qho6nj.gif
https://imgur.com/duo27RF
View: https://i.imgur.com/duo27RF.gif
or http://fs5.directupload.net/images/160724/2bspfra3.gif
 
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Fix result of Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (x64) Version: 01-07-2021
Ran by Adam (01-07-2021 21:49:37) Run:1
Running from C:\Users\Adam\Desktop
Loaded Profiles: Adam
Boot Mode: Normal
==============================================

fixlist content:
*
CreateRestorePoint:
emptytemp:
closeprocesses
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox: Restriction <==== ATTENTION
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox: Restriction <==== ATTENTION
HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001\...\Run: [Spotify] => C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\Spotify.exe [24049800 2021-06-10] (Spotify AB -> Spotify Ltd) <==== ATTENTION
Edge Extension: (No Name) -> AutoFormFill_5ED10D46BD7E47DEB1F3685D2C0FCE08 => C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets\HostExtensions\AutoFormFill [not found]
Edge Extension: (No Name) -> BookReader_B171F20233094AC88D05A8EF7B9763E8 => C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets\BookViewer [not found]
Edge Extension: (No Name) -> LearningTools_7706F933-971C-41D1-9899-8A026EB5D824 => C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets\HostExtensions\LearningTools [not found]
Edge Extension: (No Name) -> PinJSAPI_EC01B57063BE468FAB6DB7EBFC3BF368 => C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets\HostExtensions\PinJSAPI [not found]
SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001 -> DefaultScope {C84038C0-A678-4D63-ADA9-82D80491793E} URL =
SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001 -> {C84038C0-A678-4D63-ADA9-82D80491793E} URL =
S4 DBUtilDrv2; \SystemRoot\System32\drivers\DBUtilDrv2.sys [X]
CustomCLSID: HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001_Classes\CLSID\{84B5A313-CD5D-4904-8BA2-AFDC81C1B309}\InprocServer32 -> C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\GoToMeeting\16180\G2MOutlookAddin64.dll => No File
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Microsoft\TeamsMeetingAddin\1.0.20244.4\x64\Microsoft.Teams.AddinLoader.dll => No File
ContextMenuHandlers5: [igfxcui] -> {3AB1675A-CCFF-11D2-8B20-00A0C93CB1F4} => -> No File
FirewallRules: [{7E3BDA24-396A-4C2D-B80A-E7FFB0031605}] => (Allow) C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Temp\7zS0A04\HP.EasyStart.exe => No File
FirewallRules: [{BEB83C81-F1A3-4244-96DB-35C618DC3913}] => (Allow) C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Temp\7zS785E\HPDiagnosticCoreUI.exe => No File
FirewallRules: [{95DF4064-BECF-4C8A-A0AF-DD0B98196D86}] => (Allow) C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Temp\7zS785E\HPDiagnosticCoreUI.exe => No File
*

Restore point was successfully created.
closeprocesses => Error: No automatic fix found for this entry.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla => removed successfully
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla => removed successfully
"HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\\Spotify" => removed successfully
HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge\ExtensionsStore\datastore\Config\AutoFormFill_5ED10D46BD7E47DEB1F3685D2C0FCE08 => removed successfully
HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge\ExtensionsStore\datastore\Config\BookReader_B171F20233094AC88D05A8EF7B9763E8 => removed successfully
HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge\ExtensionsStore\datastore\Config\LearningTools_7706F933-971C-41D1-9899-8A026EB5D824 => removed successfully
HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge\ExtensionsStore\datastore\Config\PinJSAPI_EC01B57063BE468FAB6DB7EBFC3BF368 => removed successfully
"HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\\DefaultScope" => removed successfully
HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{C84038C0-A678-4D63-ADA9-82D80491793E} => removed successfully
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\DBUtilDrv2 => removed successfully
DBUtilDrv2 => service removed successfully
HKU\S-1-5-21-3461170791-3006380949-1137408469-1001_Classes\CLSID\{84B5A313-CD5D-4904-8BA2-AFDC81C1B309} => removed successfully
"C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Microsoft\TeamsMeetingAddin\1.0.20244.4\x64\Microsoft.Teams.AddinLoader.dll => No File" => not found
HKLM\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\igfxcui => removed successfully
"HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules\\{7E3BDA24-396A-4C2D-B80A-E7FFB0031605}" => removed successfully
"HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules\\{BEB83C81-F1A3-4244-96DB-35C618DC3913}" => removed successfully
"HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules\\{95DF4064-BECF-4C8A-A0AF-DD0B98196D86}" => removed successfully

=========== EmptyTemp: ==========

BITS transfer queue => 11821056 B
DOMStore, IE Recovery, AppCache, Feeds Cache, Thumbcache, IconCache => 36179703 B
Java, Flash, Steam htmlcache => 60252183 B
Windows/system/drivers => 171802091 B
Edge => 1363062 B
Chrome => 582572393 B
Firefox => 0 B
Opera => 0 B

Temp, IE cache, history, cookies, recent:
Default => 6656 B
ProgramData => 6656 B
Public => 6656 B
systemprofile => 88240431 B
systemprofile32 => 88240431 B
LocalService => 88534681 B
NetworkService => 88733493 B
Adam => 251456802 B

RecycleBin => 294495288 B
EmptyTemp: => 1.6 GB temporary data Removed.

================================


The system needed a reboot.

==== End of Fixlog 21:52:22 ====
 
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"I really appreciate the detail in the screenshots you send "
Thank you.

Waiting/testing again. If you get a black screen, SS of Reliability Monitor & download the latest version of Farbar. Run & upload the 2 logs > Addition/FRST.
 
Last edited:
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Why do you like Windows Defender Firewall better than Norton AV? Here's the screenshot of the status on my computer: https://ibb.co/pvVt1yf. My home network appears to be a public network, so it says it is "Connected" for public networks which seems to be good. It says "block all connections to apps that are not on the list of allowed apps." I hope it scans file downloads and new app downloads too to mark them safe or not. Should more people be using free resources such as Windows Defender Firewall?
 
Last edited:
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