Microsoft investigating 'black screen of death'
Summary
Microsoft said that it is looking into reports that its latest security updates are causing some serious problems for certain users.
Topics
Microsoft said on Monday that it is looking into reports that its latest security updates are causing some serious problems for certain users.
The problem has been dubbed the 'black screen of death' because those affected are left with a black desktop and little else on their screen.
"Microsoft is investigating reports that its latest release of security updates is resulting in system issues for some customers," the software maker said in a statement. "Once we complete our investigation, we will provide detailed guidance on how to prevent or address these issues."
The issue was noted by British security firm Prevx on its blog on Friday, with that company also offering a suggested fix for the problem.
For more, read "Microsoft investigating 'black screen of death'" at CNET News.
Talkback Most Recent of 37 Talkback(s)
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Does it happen in safe mode too?
Is it just a matter of explorer.exe not starting? Does uninstalling an update (or restoring the last system state) fix the problem? It would be nice if we were given more than just the most superficial of symptoms.
Michael Kelly1st Dec 2009 -
It could...
I don't know if this has happened in safe mode, it would be hard to test. But I don't believe there is anythign you can turn off or change to fix it either. From what I've seen, it is a result of the updates which changed Windows system files, not just services.
I believe it is a case of explorer.exe crashing and the system locking simultaneously while opening applications. The black screen is nothing new, but what is new is the loss of responsiveness that prevents the solution traditionally used for this kind of problem. Using the task manager to restart Explorer.exe
Socratesfoot1st Dec 2009 -
RE: Microsoft investigating 'black screen of death'
Here we go...it's Vista all over again.Socratesfoot1st Dec 2009 -
All over again
detractors bashing Microsoft, Vista and/or
Windows and any opportunity.
This is but a scattered problem which could
have any explanation ranging from 3rd party
applications, 3rd party drivers, hardware,
firmware or a Windows problem. But so far
nothing firm suggests any systemic problem.
honeymonster1st Dec 2009 -
Why don't you have your corporation...
take responsibility for their actions for once in their lives instead of blaming everybody else.
Wintel BSOD1st Dec 2009 -
His company?
Does the MS competitor you work for pay you to just badmouth MS, or does your check cover talking up you product falsely?
Fess up, you're a paid shill, your posts reak of it.
John Zern2nd Dec 2009 -
Ha, Linux doesn't have paid shills! - - - LOL
They can't afford them. That's why I'm here for free.
Try again, shill...
lol...
Wintel BSOD3rd Dec 2009 -
RE: Microsoft investigating 'black screen of death'
Key words here are for certain users. More than likely they have some obscure configuration that the Microsoft labs don't and so were not able to test every single possible detail and configuration. It will get resolved in due time, nothing to worry about.
Loverock Davidson1st Dec 2009 -
Win 7 is as lame as XP but M$ will not publicly admit that fact just yet...
you have to wait for windows 8, then you will see M$ insinuating just how lame windows 7 is and urging all 'customers' to switch to windows 8 as fast as they can.
The Mentalist1st Dec 2009 -
They'll Just Change The Name Again
And open a new store.
yobtaf1st Dec 2009 -
Ummm...
...that's why no unbiased tech magazine has
released a truly negative article about 7, right?
Look, put down your open-source kool-aid and wake
up. Windows may have actually done something
right. I know that tears the foundations of your
world asunder, but you're just going to have to
deal with that.
jedidethfreak1st Dec 2009 -
xp was great though
Well few issues. Xp was a great os and users loved it..Vista not so much..I tested the beta program for windows 7 and loved it but the only thing that all testers wanted that MS seemed to ignore was the option to use classic mode and revert the start area and UI back to the fast familar way xp was setup. it was avaliable in vista and most people used it as it was setup great and windows 7 they removed that for stupid fly out menues like css menus and that sucked but you have options as there is a free add on someone made to give you classic back and then there is a company selleing a $40 version of the program to make it back in the OS but windows xp was great thats why people dont leave it..
Fletchguy1st Dec 2009 -
MS Is Botching my XP
My system dearly wants to install SP3, but every time I let it, I get something akin to the black screen of death. My system begins to boot but before it can begin windows it suddenly aborts and reboots in a never-ending cycle.
So even XP may be affected by their security updates having something amiss within them.
PS This occurred on a Compaq which had nothing but its original equipment and extra RAM, so the configuration was very standard.
martyh@...1st Dec 2009 -
MS Is Botching my XP
Start tapping F8 as soon as the BIOS screen disappears. When you get the menu, look for an option about rebooting automatically when a fault is detected, and disable that.
Then see if it will finish booting up.
Darr2471st Dec 2009 -
You're really DonnieBoy incognito, right?
Because your message consistantly sounds just like his. Maybe you're related?
How about adding something USEFUL to the conversation instead of throwing about disparaging remarks? Seriously, it would be a nice change.
PollyProteus1st Dec 2009
Talkback - Tell Us What You Think
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