Blank windows, unresponsive services, failing installations after 4 mo


  1. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #1

    Blank windows, unresponsive services, failing installations after 4 mo


    I've searched around for solutions for these issues, so apologies if this is known and I missed it.

    I upgraded to Windows 10 about 4 months ago without issue. Yesterday I noticed that certain applications wouldn't open (with no errors thrown), so I restarted. From that point on, the problem has only gotten worse. Opening Chrome shows a blank window with only the minimize, maximize, close buttons visible. Same for Tiger VPN. Steam gets stuck after the 'verifying install' window when it tries to connect to my account, and some Windows services/settings just don't do anything when I try to open them. For example, the nVidia Control Panel. Most programs crash when I close them. None of this happened at all until today.

    * I've booted into safe mode and uninstalled programs, ran MalwareBytes (0 threats detected), and updated various drivers.
    * I found that if I open the task manager there are 6 or 7 processes running for Chrome. If I kill the lowest one in the list, the Chrome window stops being blank and starts displaying and behaving normally. The same thing occurs with TigerVPN, which for some reason has two instances instead of the usual one.
    * When I try to install the latest video drivers, installation fails but doesn't give me any useful error message.

    I downloaded a new Windows 10 ISO so that I could repair the installation. I do a clean boot and start the setup process, but can only get up to the "Making sure you're ready to install" screen before it gets stuck in a loop. It asks me if I want to wipe everything or keep my files/apps. I choose to keep files and apps and then it sends me back to the previous screen, where it stays for about 20 minutes before repeating.

    I'm a software engineer and I know my way around a computer, but this is baffling to me. Has anyone run into this before?
    Last edited by Throwaway 12345; 22 Dec 2015 at 09:41.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, welcome to tenforums. Given the range of symptoms you describe, and assuming you've no virus infection (note symptoms happened suddenly), I'd be tempted to simply go down the well-known

    chkdsk C: /F
    SFC /Scannow
    and if corrupted files found and not repaired then
    DISM command

    route.

    If that fails, then the easiest way to proceed is an in place repair install using an appropriate Win 10 iso, which preserves all your settings, files etc.

    If any of that brief info is unclear, you can either see the tutorials here (link above) or search appropriately.
    Else please post any query. Good luck!
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 104
    windows 10 pro
       #3

    This is not going to help you but when I read this I need to say that also here after 4 months of Windows 10 without to many problems (just a few) this morning I got my first BSOD and a non responsive Windows 10. I have so many warnings in my event log that I will not mention them.

    Robbie


    Throwaway 12345 said:
    I've searched around for solutions for these issues, so apologies if this is known and I missed it.

    I upgraded to Windows 10 about 4 months ago without issue. Yesterday I noticed that certain applications wouldn't open (with no errors thrown), so I restarted. From that point on, the problem has only gotten worse. Opening Chrome shows a blank window with only the minimize, maximize, close buttons visible. Same for Tiger VPN. Steam gets stuck after the 'verifying install' window when it tries to connect to my account, and some Windows services/settings just don't do anything when I try to open them. For example, the nVidia Control Panel. Most programs crash when I close them. None of this happened at all until today.

    * I've booted into safe mode and uninstalled programs, ran MalwareBytes (0 threats detected), and updated various drivers.
    * I found that if I open the task manager there are 6 or 7 processes running for Chrome. If I kill the lowest one in the list, the Chrome window stops being blank and starts displaying and behaving normally. The same thing occurs with TigerVPN, which for some reason has two instances instead of the usual one.
    * When I try to install the latest video drivers, installation fails but doesn't give me any useful error message.

    I downloaded a new Windows 10 ISO so that I could repair the installation. I do a clean boot and start the setup process, but can only get up to the "Making sure you're ready to install" screen before it gets stuck in a loop. It asks me if I want to wipe everything or keep my files/apps. I choose to keep files and apps and then it sends me back to the previous screen, where it stays for about 20 minutes before repeating.

    I'm a software engineer and I know my way around a computer, but this is baffling to me. Has anyone run into this before?
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    You could also run some checks on your hardware from a boot disk. That would help isolate hardware issues from software/disk corruption.

    Some people with desktops also suggest checking the PSU.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 104
    windows 10 pro
       #5

    Hello Dalchina,

    With all respect.....I worked without any problems for years with Windows 7 Pro, and to be honest I did not want to switch to Windows 10 but the pushy way of strategy of Microsoft made me make the move to Windows 10.
    And what happens now.........problems.
    OK you will not hear me about minor problems like a bad working picture or photo viewer, or black windows randomly appearing in the screen or Office 2016 not working right, or Nvidia control settings not holding is settings. But this is getting ridiculous.

    Microsoft should get it right and quickly. For me it's to late to get back to 7, but if I could I should do it right away.



    dalchina said:
    You could also run some checks on your hardware from a boot disk. That would help isolate hardware issues from software/disk corruption.

    Some people with desktops also suggest checking the PSU.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Hi, I don't think you're actually looking for advice.. you seem to know what you're doing, but are simply unhappy with Win 10- which is understandable.

    Now this isn't an MS forum as you know. If you wish to make a point to MS, I suggest you subscribe to an appropriate MS tech forum, where MS representatives respond.

    You can also use the feedback facility.

    At any time, select Start, and then type Windows Feedback to send us your opinions and suggestions. Windows Feedback is only available if you have Diagnostic and usage data set to Full (Full is the recommended setting).
    To change the Diagnostic and usage data setting, go to Start , then select Settings > Privacy > Feedback & diagnostics, and then, under Diagnostic and usage data, select an option.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 104
    windows 10 pro
       #7

    Hello Dalchina,

    You are right it's a bit frustration, and nothing personal.

    Robbie

    dalchina said:
    Hi, I don't think you're actually looking for advice.. you seem to know what you're doing, but are simply unhappy with Win 10- which is understandable.

    Now this isn't an MS forum as you know. If you wish to make a point to MS, I suggest you subscribe to an appropriate MS tech forum, where MS representatives respond.

    You can also use the feedback facility.

    At any time, select Start, and then type Windows Feedback to send us your opinions and suggestions. Windows Feedback is only available if you have Diagnostic and usage data set to Full (Full is the recommended setting).
    To change the Diagnostic and usage data setting, go to Start , then select Settings > Privacy > Feedback & diagnostics, and then, under Diagnostic and usage data, select an option.
      My Computers


 

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