Black screen of death

[Empty State]

Hi

I'm running Windows XP pro on a fairly recent laptop.

After booting (Windows logo etc) the screen goes black before reaching
a login prompt. I can see the LCD backlight is on. I cannot get
anything to appear on screen.

After a while, the laptop turns itself off. On the next attempted boot
Windows reports that it did not shut down properly.

My suspicion is that PowerPoint is to blame as this has happened in
the past, always when using PP. The only way I managed to recover then
was to do a reinstall.

I have tried booting in safe mode but I can't find anything wrong to
change.

I tried to do a "clean boot" but this did not make any difference.

I am not aware if this is due to a virus, I scanned my machine using
the latest version of "stinger" quite recently.

I would be interested in troubleshooting strategies if no one has the
answer.

many thanks in advance

koan

 

[Mike DeLeonardis]

try using a bootdisk to get a command prompt

at the prompt, wait a few mins

this can help determine a windows issue or not.

 

[Stuart]

It sounds like you have an invalid display mode or refresh rate - does it
work in safe mode?

 

[Dave R.]

I'm having the same problem with my Desk Top, don't have Power Point,
sometimes the screen is black from the beginning of booting up and remains
black. Other times it gets to loading Windows then goes black.The Event
Viewer shows System Error 7000. Tried all the "Newbie" things,unplug all,
check all connections ETC. By chance or luck it came on normally about a
week ago, haven't shut it off since, looking for an answer. Event Viewer
shows no errors since the last successful boot. Been to the KB and followed
all the links to no avail.This began three weeks ago after 9 trouble free
months since upgrading to WindowsXP. Having a black screen while the
computer is running is a helpless feeling.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dave