Blank screen following W10 update, one PC fixed, one not...
Discussion
So, a frustrating tech day! Both my PCs suffered a Windows 10 update recently. Following the next time they each restarted:
The first one, completely blank screen, no video output at all. Thinking maybe graphics drivers, I unplugged the graphics card, then it booted fine. Installed new graphics drivers, replugged graphics card, working fine.
My second PC: blank screen, no video output at all, as with the first. Unplugged graphics card - nothing, still not working. This one has a very tightly packed in case and I can’t go pulling things to see which piece of hardware is messing with windows, if that’s what it is.
What are the best next steps to take? I REALLY don’t want to have to deal with a windows reinstall if possible
Thank you in advance for anyone who can help, this sub forum has kindly saved me many times!
The first one, completely blank screen, no video output at all. Thinking maybe graphics drivers, I unplugged the graphics card, then it booted fine. Installed new graphics drivers, replugged graphics card, working fine.
My second PC: blank screen, no video output at all, as with the first. Unplugged graphics card - nothing, still not working. This one has a very tightly packed in case and I can’t go pulling things to see which piece of hardware is messing with windows, if that’s what it is.
What are the best next steps to take? I REALLY don’t want to have to deal with a windows reinstall if possible
Thank you in advance for anyone who can help, this sub forum has kindly saved me many times!
How many outputs on the card?
Have you tried different ports/cables to rule those out?
Could you try the graphics card out of the working one into the non-working one?
Or is that what you meant by no room in the case?
Is the HDD/SSD easier to get to?
Bung a spare drive in and see if you get any joy with a fresh install on the spare drive?
Have you tried different ports/cables to rule those out?
Could you try the graphics card out of the working one into the non-working one?
Or is that what you meant by no room in the case?
Is the HDD/SSD easier to get to?
Bung a spare drive in and see if you get any joy with a fresh install on the spare drive?
Thank you for the replies. I might not have made it clear but Windows isn’t booting at all seemingly. It’s not just a lack of video output - exactly as it was on the first PC.
The PC starts up whirring up, the monitor responds to flick on briefly but only to display a ‘no signal’ message. It’s like it tries to boot windows for a second, immediately decidea it doesn’t want to, then the fans just spin at full speed indefinitely. Usually it’s: turn on>fans spin up full speed for 1-2 secs>Windows boots> fan speed immediately comes down.
I have tested connecting the HDMI to both the graphics card port and the motherboard’s HDMI port - no difference.
I don’t have any other hard drives to hand. I can’t (I don’t think?) even get into the BIOS to change boot order or anything So I don’t even know if a USB W10 installer/repair tool would be able to boot.
I can probably just about change the video card if I buy a new one - though the fact it won’t even work with the graphics card unplugged:relying on onboard makes me think that just won’t work?
i really appreciate all your replies, I am going to do what I can and report back. This is only a 6 month old build, not some Frankenstein of various old components that could be playing up.
The PC starts up whirring up, the monitor responds to flick on briefly but only to display a ‘no signal’ message. It’s like it tries to boot windows for a second, immediately decidea it doesn’t want to, then the fans just spin at full speed indefinitely. Usually it’s: turn on>fans spin up full speed for 1-2 secs>Windows boots> fan speed immediately comes down.
I have tested connecting the HDMI to both the graphics card port and the motherboard’s HDMI port - no difference.
I don’t have any other hard drives to hand. I can’t (I don’t think?) even get into the BIOS to change boot order or anything So I don’t even know if a USB W10 installer/repair tool would be able to boot.
I can probably just about change the video card if I buy a new one - though the fact it won’t even work with the graphics card unplugged:relying on onboard makes me think that just won’t work?
i really appreciate all your replies, I am going to do what I can and report back. This is only a 6 month old build, not some Frankenstein of various old components that could be playing up.
ash73 said:
Odd that it doesn't work with onboard graphics.
Press the Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B. If Windows is responsive, it will beep and attempt to refresh the screen.
Also, check the display is ok, e.g. connection/power!
Can you get into the BIOS? That will confirm it's a Windows display driver issue.
You could try another graphics card just to boot it up... cheapest you can find on ebay?
Just to cover these:Press the Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B. If Windows is responsive, it will beep and attempt to refresh the screen.
Also, check the display is ok, e.g. connection/power!
Can you get into the BIOS? That will confirm it's a Windows display driver issue.
You could try another graphics card just to boot it up... cheapest you can find on ebay?
Win+cntrl+shift+B doesn’t do anything, no beep, nothing.
The display is fine as it’s showing a blank ‘HDMI: PC - No Signal’
Cannot get into bios, nothing gets sent to the screen at all. I am sitting next to it now with the fans endlessly spinning loudly and no output.
So I’ve been advised that disconnecting the ram and resetting the CMOS could help. A family member had this happen last week and this was their fix.
I can get to the motherboard battery (it’s wrapped and hangs loose) but can’t get to where it connects into the motherboard. The battery does seem ‘clickable’ - if that can get used to reset? I’m sure it’s possible, I’m just not all that confident going beyond simple builds in big roomy cases.
It’s a factory refurb (though just out of warranty...) MSI Nightblade MI2 1060 GTX 6GB
https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Nightblade-MI2/Specifi...
I can get to the motherboard battery (it’s wrapped and hangs loose) but can’t get to where it connects into the motherboard. The battery does seem ‘clickable’ - if that can get used to reset? I’m sure it’s possible, I’m just not all that confident going beyond simple builds in big roomy cases.
It’s a factory refurb (though just out of warranty...) MSI Nightblade MI2 1060 GTX 6GB
https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Nightblade-MI2/Specifi...
Edited by Complex on Sunday 19th July 01:12
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