Black screens and infinite loading whenever I try to start up


  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
       #1

    Black screens and infinite loading whenever I try to start up


    Hi,

    Earlier today, after turning on my PC, it got stuck on the spinning dots boot page for over 30 minutes. I tried restarting it and it had no effect. I then tried going into "Automatic Repair", but once it loads into this, I just get a black screen. I then tried to use a USB recovery tool to reinstall Windows, however after the initial loading animation, I get a black screen again. Here is what I have done so far to try to fix it (with no success):
    - Reset the CMOS and BIOS settings
    - Use a USB recovery tool
    - Literally rebuilding the PC, checking all the connections with no effect
    - Switching to Integrated Graphics in the BIOS menu

    As I tested it with integrated graphics too, I don't think it is the GPU. Being unable to boot from the USB also led me to believe that it was not the HDD. I'm not sure then whether it's a problem with the; motherboard, RAM, or CPU (or could be something else entirely?).

    I'd really appreciate it if anyone would be able to help :)

    Fairly new to the forum and not sure if you can see my system specs, so here they are:
    CPU: i5 6600
    Mobo: MSI Bazooka B150M
    Ram: Crucial Ballistix 2x4gb
    GPU: MSI Gaming X 1070
    HDD: WD 1TB Desktop SATA Hard Drive - Caviar Blue
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #2

    Hi dicedburrito

    Sounds like your Video drivers. Not sure if you may have received the 1803 update.

    Power on device, see spinning dots hold power button until machine powers off. Power on, see dots, hold power button until it shuts off.

    Power on again, Windows should provide Advance Startup Options.

    Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10

    So not sure if you just got V1803 but you will see an option to go back to previous build. This is one possible solution although 1803 will reappear unless you set connection to metered. (assume you have W10 Home, if Pro defer the Feature update 60 days.)

    Other option is to boot to safe mode. Uninstall the video drivers with a tool like DDU.

    http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/deta...installer.html

    Then install the latest drivers for your 1070. Restart.


    Ken
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the advice Ken,

    When I do this, it says “Automatic Repair” and after it loads, I just get another black screen. Also I’m not sure that it’s my graphics, because I tried switching to my integrated graphics and the same thing happened?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 41,413
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #4

    Let's see if you can boot without a black screen using these different methods:
    1) Find 3 flash drives that you can format ( > or = 8 GB )
    2) Create a bootable Ubuntu / Linux flash drive
    Create a bootable USB stick on Windows | Ubuntu tutorials
    3) Create a Memtest86+ version 5.01 flash drive
    Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
    Windows 10 Help Forums
    4) Create a boot rescue flash drive:
    Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

    Report into the thread the progress with each of the above steps.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks I just tried all of these;

    Ubuntu:
    This immediately booted up into the desktop, working perfectly as far as I’m aware

    Memtest86:
    This also worked, and I left it running for 3 hours with no fails.

    Boot rescue:
    I had the same issue as before, I got a windows logo with spinning dots but this went on for over an hour. I even tried a fresh windows install on a different USB and it didn’t fix anything.

    Any idea what’s wrong? I’m so confused at this point.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 41,413
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #6

    The question was whether the problems were Windows, hardware, drivers, etc.
    Being able to use Ubuntu indicates that the problem likely is with Windows (boot, operating system, registry or drivers. (Hardware problem unlikely)
    Being able to boot using Memtest86+ version 5.01 indicates that the computer was bootable (its reliance on Windows is tiny)
    For best RAM testing the duration of testing should be 8 or more passes to reduce the false negatives (test pass with malfunctioning RAM).

    Being able to use Ubuntu allows the backing up of files:
    The 10 Cleverest Ways to Use Linux to Fix Your Windows PC


    See if you can run some tests using Ubuntu/Linux.

    HD Sentinel: Hard Disk Sentinel - Free Linux version
    For HD Sentinel the Windows editions have free, trial, and paid options.
    Using Ubuntu/Linux see if these tests are available:
    a) Overview
    b) Temperature
    c) SMART
    d) Disk performance
    e) Disk > surface test >

    This software I have not used so if you use it please make sure that you understand how to monitor temperatures, maximum temperature for the hardware, and know how to abort testing for problems with temperature or display artifacts.
    For graphic testing this may be an option:
    GpuTest - Downloads (Windows, Linux, OSX)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Update. I logged onto Ubuntu, but it froze and crashed. Now whenever I try to get into it, it loads for a long time and then shuts off. Starting to think it might be a motherboard issue but include still not sure and don’t really know how else I can check.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #8

    Are you comfortable working inside device?

    If so I would open device, reseat cables, reseat memory, make sure heat sink is clear. Do this with power off and make sure everything is fully seated when you re-install. Leave covers off and when you boot make sure all fans are running, replace covers.

    How old is the setup?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Sadly, I already completely rebuilt, including reseating everything and redoing all the cables. Tried it without the side cover on too.
    The setup is just under 2 years old.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #10

    Sounds like you are very experienced. Maybe check thermal paste.

    If it won't boot any OS then it is a hardware issue. You would then go for the skinniest of boots, one disk, one stick of memory, everything not needed not connected. Still doesn't work try second stick on memory. Might even be worth removing coin battery and resetting BIOS but that is a long shot.
      My Computer


 

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