Problem with black screen upon launching Windows
Problem with black screen upon launching Windows
Hey everyone, my computer began randomly blacking out after startup. It started a few days ago while playing games, and I restarted afterward. At first I thought it was just random, but it kept happening. I tried basic fixes like clearing CMOS and reseating RAM, but the issue persisted. Recently, I noticed more frequent crashes—sometimes I couldn’t wait 30 seconds before the screen went black. I left the PC unattended overnight, and it worked fine the next day except for a brief crash after gaming. Checking temperatures showed my CPU was overheating (55°C at idle, 92°C under load). I changed the thermal paste and reattached the cooler, which helped temporarily. Now I’m experiencing the same problem again. I checked the BIOS settings and found that MSI Game Boost was enabled. Turning it off resolved the issue, but with it enabled, I crash within 30 seconds after logging in. With it off, I can run for about an hour without a crash. This is really puzzling—I’m not sure what’s causing this. Any advice would be appreciated.
This might be related to power supply concerns. Could you share your PSU model and its age? Components tend to perform better during startup in the BIOS. It seems they’re fully used when Windows loads, so a power issue might not occur then. Also, if Game Boost was active recently, it could have stressed your CPU. Applying too much voltage for extended periods might harm it. The severity of the problem when it’s off could indicate the CPU was exposed to excessive voltage.
To check if the issue is software-related, you can use Rufus to generate a Linux live USB (such as Ubuntu) and boot from it. If it still fails, the problem likely lies in hardware like the CPU, PSU, GPU, or RAM. If it works, the fault is probably with Windows or its drive.
The Linux test provides a solid foundation. If it runs without issues, your CPU seems to be in good shape. The most reliable method to confirm if the issue lies with the CPU is to compare it with another system, though this can be challenging. When a spare CPU isn’t available, individuals often request a friend’s or a local repair shop’s assistance, as these places typically have the necessary components for such tests.
You might also consider using HWiNFO to keep an eye on your CPU’s clock speed, power consumption, and voltage levels, which can help identify any irregularities. However, this approach isn’t definitive—while unusual readings may indicate a problem, normal values don’t rule it out entirely.
Try searching for "reliability history" in the Windows search bar and launch the associated tool. It should display critical events linked to crashes. Focus on the most recent entry, click on it, and explore the detailed error information. Scroll through the page until you reach the bottom, where you may find a temporary dump file if the crash occurred there. If present, open it in WinDbg (install it first if needed). Once opened, a blue link labeled "! analyse - v" will appear—click it to generate a crash report. Look for details like "module name" and "image name" to understand the root cause of the crashes.
Additionally, check the current CPU temperature. If you’ve recently adjusted settings or performed actions that might have affected it, ensure it’s within normal limits.
I started Ubuntu from a USB and experienced a crash after roughly five minutes.
I plan to check my CPU on my friend's system to identify any problems.
When I checked reliability history, it mentioned Windows wasn't closed properly and there are temporary dump files available for review.
I downloaded OCCT for a stress test and immediately crashed when testing my power supply... I'm about to run the same CPU test with that application to see what happens.
Thank you for your ongoing support; your help means a lot.
There were no problems during the stress test of my CPU, temperatures stayed normal. I rechecked my power supply and it caused a very quick black screen. Probably a PSU issue.
I think there might be a power problem. My laptops act up only when the 8th SSD is connected.