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PC - Doesn't start sometimes - black screen

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 8:31 pm
by KingManULTRA
Since a few days ago, whenever I start my PC the first time, I get as far as the Windows XP loading screen and then the screen goes black (even though the PC is still on). Nothing happens. This is only fixed by restarting multiple times and going past a "windows didn't start correctly screen, boot in safe mode, normal mode etc.?"

Why is this happening?

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 8:33 pm
by +JuggerNaut+
have you booted into safe mode yet? if not, do so, and then check your event viewer for the error logs. run your UPDATED virus/spyware apps (please say you have them), then try another reboot normally.

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 8:43 pm
by AesopFable
Also, when you start into Safe Mode on Windows XP, it will ask if you want to use a System Restore point. I'd reccomend using that, it's honestly one of the few XP features I like.

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 8:57 pm
by Tormentius
AesopFable wrote:Also, when you start into Safe Mode on Windows XP, it will ask if you want to use a System Restore point. I'd reccomend using that, it's honestly one of the few XP features I like.
No, it won't. Restoring to an earlier point in time is most likely not required in this case and isn't something XP just does on its own.

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 9:57 pm
by KingManULTRA
I have the following errors in Event Viewer - System

Error: DCOM
DCOM got error "The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. " attempting to start the service netman with arguments "" in order to run the server:

A couple of minutes later

Error: Service Control Manager
The Computer Browser service depends on the Server service which failed to start because of the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

and

Error: Service Control Manager
The Windows Service Pack Installer update service service depends on the Security Accounts Manager service which failed to start because of the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.


I doubt this is the problem though, because I've had these errors for a month and my issues with the black screen only started a few days ago. Also, I use a lot of antispyware stuff (Ad-Aware 6 SE Personal, Spybot S&D, HijackThis, Trojan Remover, CWShredder).

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 10:06 pm
by AesopFable
Tormentius wrote:
AesopFable wrote:Also, when you start into Safe Mode on Windows XP, it will ask if you want to use a System Restore point. I'd reccomend using that, it's honestly one of the few XP features I like.
No, it won't. Restoring to an earlier point in time is most likely not required in this case and isn't something XP just does on its own.
Hmm. Well, it's what we usually reccomend to Windows XP customers. It does require some thought after that point but is still rediculously easy.

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 1:06 am
by +JuggerNaut+
KingManULTRA wrote:I have the following errors in Event Viewer - System

Error: DCOM
DCOM got error "The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. " attempting to start the service netman with arguments "" in order to run the server:

A couple of minutes later

Error: Service Control Manager
The Computer Browser service depends on the Server service which failed to start because of the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

and

Error: Service Control Manager
The Windows Service Pack Installer update service service depends on the Security Accounts Manager service which failed to start because of the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.


I doubt this is the problem though, because I've had these errors for a month and my issues with the black screen only started a few days ago. Also, I use a lot of antispyware stuff (Ad-Aware 6 SE Personal, Spybot S&D, HijackThis, Trojan Remover, CWShredder).

i don't see anything about an antivirus.

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 1:58 am
by YourGrandpa
This is a hardware issue.


I'm going to say it's your PSU.

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 2:08 am
by KingManULTRA
+JuggerNaut+ wrote:
i don't see anything about an antivirus.
I just ran AVG Anti-Virus and it didn't find anything.
YourGrandpa wrote:This is a hardware issue.

I'm going to say it's your PSU.
But why does it boot up fine half the time is what I'm wondering. Not that I'm denying the PSU is to blame, I already replaced my Antek power supply that came with the case a while ago with a new Thermaltake Purepower. Is there any way to know for sure?

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 2:13 am
by YourGrandpa
When PSU's go, they don't always go right away. The only way to tell for a fact is to use a voltage tester and test all of the outputs on the plug that feeds your motherboard.

I had a problem just like this with a brand new, fresh out of the box PSU.

GL..

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 2:23 am
by +JuggerNaut+
YourGrandpa wrote:This is a hardware issue.


I'm going to say it's your PSU.
might be, but intermittent "black screens" don't always point to JUST hardware issues.

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 6:34 am
by AmIdYfReAk
indeed, one of my spares has a funny 17' CRT connected to it, it will turn its self off then on, or it will turn on and display nothing, then all of a sudden Click in..

its quite funny when one of my friends are playing a game and it decides to click off for a few seconds.

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 2:36 pm
by KingManULTRA
Today I had to restart my PC 10 times for it to work *sigh*

Safe Mode: Occassionally works, usually the PC shuts itself off completely before getting to the Desktop

Normal Mode: Hardly every works, PC goes from Windows XP loading screen to a blank screen and stays there, PC doesn't shut itself off though

Once it's own it's own though. Getting a new powersupply right now...

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 6:25 pm
by YourGrandpa
Is it fixed or what?

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 7:33 pm
by +JuggerNaut+
exactly. sometimes i wonder why we bother.

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 12:49 am
by YourGrandpa
Seriously, an outcome would be nice.

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 3:04 am
by +JuggerNaut+
YourGrandpa wrote:Seriously, an outcome would be nice.
hey, i wasn't joking.

crumpet?

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:22 am
by YourGrandpa
Neither was I.

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:36 am
by +JuggerNaut+
so no crumpet? :(

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:55 pm
by YourGrandpa
No..

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:48 am
by KingManULTRA
Sorry for not replying (it was a busy week) but the problem seems to be gone now (new power supply). Thanks for the help fellows.

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:30 am
by YourGrandpa
Hey there's the reply.... :icon14:

Glad it helped.

Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 1:46 am
by KingManULTRA
Awww :icon23: It worked fine a short while and now the problem is back with a vengeance. New power supply, virus/spyware free PC. What to do what to do :<

EDIT: Is there perhaps any setting in Windows XP that causes the PC to automatically restart or shut down if errors are detected or something? What about VPU recovery on the graphics card (ATI Radeon)?

Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 4:23 am
by +JuggerNaut+
possible short on your mobo

Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 3:04 pm
by KingManULTRA
+JuggerNaut+ wrote:possible short on your mobo
Holy smokes! That can't be good. What am I gonna do?