black screen w/ cursor when locking keyboard

I have searched this newsgroup (as well as Google) and have found many
items which are similar to this situation, but nothing quite exactly the
same.

In my office I have 9 of the exact same computer (Dell Optiplex 755),
all with the exact same software setup (Vista Enterprise 32bit). This
issue is happening on only 1 of the computers (which leads me to believe
that this is NOT a driver problem).


The user has her computer set to require a password when the screensaver
is activated (normal windows screen saver, not some 3rd party program).
When the screen saver is activated, it locks the computer and the
monitor goes black. All is well.

When she is ready to unlock it, she hits alt-cntl-del. 7 out of 8
times, the screen comes back to the logon screen where she can type in
her password, and unlock the computer. But 1 time out of 8, the
monitor will be totally black ... except for the arrow for the cursor.
She can move the mouse around fine (indicating the computer itself is
not toasterized).


Things we have tried:
* about 1/2 the time, unplugging the video plug from the computer and
plugging it back in will restore the picture (note that simply turning
the monitor off then back on *never* works).

* typing her password on the black screen will sometimes work (my guess
is that the prompt is in the right place)


Other than this issue, the computer works fine (meaning there aren't
other symptoms that indicate other problems).


Advice? Suggestions?


--

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Chris Barnes AOL IM: CNBarnes
chris- Yahoo IM: chrisnbarnes

First thing - update the video drivers using files from the manufacturers
website.

Second thing - same as the first.

Make sure you reboot after the update. If you still have problems get back
to us.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Chris Barnes" <chris-> wrote in message
news:...
>I have searched this newsgroup (as well as Google) and have found many
>items which are similar to this situation, but nothing quite exactly the
>same.
>
> In my office I have 9 of the exact same computer (Dell Optiplex 755), all
> with the exact same software setup (Vista Enterprise 32bit). This issue
> is happening on only 1 of the computers (which leads me to believe that
> this is NOT a driver problem).
>
>
> The user has her computer set to require a password when the screensaver
> is activated (normal windows screen saver, not some 3rd party program).
> When the screen saver is activated, it locks the computer and the monitor
> goes black. All is well.
>
> When she is ready to unlock it, she hits alt-cntl-del. 7 out of 8 times,
> the screen comes back to the logon screen where she can type in her
> password, and unlock the computer. But 1 time out of 8, the monitor will
> be totally black ... except for the arrow for the cursor. She can move the
> mouse around fine (indicating the computer itself is not toasterized).
>
>
> Things we have tried:
> * about 1/2 the time, unplugging the video plug from the computer and
> plugging it back in will restore the picture (note that simply turning the
> monitor off then back on *never* works).
>
> * typing her password on the black screen will sometimes work (my guess is
> that the prompt is in the right place)
>
>
> Other than this issue, the computer works fine (meaning there aren't other
> symptoms that indicate other problems).
>
>
> Advice? Suggestions?
>
>
> --
>
> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
> Chris Barnes AOL IM: CNBarnes
> chris- Yahoo IM: chrisnbarnes

On Wed, 06 May 2009 15:27:11 -0500, Chris Barnes
<chris-> wrote:

>Advice? Suggestions?

Try changing the power settings so that it doesn't actually power down
the monitor when locked and idle. Set it to have a screen save pop up
but no power down. See if she can leave it locked for a significant
time and still log back on reliably.

Vista is known for power management/resume issues. It's not all that
unlikely to see two identical machines behave differently due to some
obscure bit somewhere that has altered the behavior of one vs. the
other (welcome to Vista).

"+Bob+" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Wed, 06 May 2009 15:27:11 -0500, Chris Barnes
> <chris-> wrote:
>
>>Advice? Suggestions?
>
> Try changing the power settings so that it doesn't actually power down
> the monitor when locked and idle. Set it to have a screen save pop up
> but no power down. See if she can leave it locked for a significant
> time and still log back on reliably.
>
> Vista is known for power management/resume issues. It's not all that
> unlikely to see two identical machines behave differently due to some
> obscure bit somewhere that has altered the behavior of one vs. the
> other (welcome to Vista).
>

Along those lines since these are identical computers check the BIOS
settings to make sure they are identical as well? Maybe the odd machine has
the put monitor to sleep using.......and is set different than the other
machines that work well?

Rich

Hello Chris:
I had a very roughly similar issue booting to a black screen (find my posts
by searching for my handle - Blithe - or "windows vista not booting up")

My issue was caused by a failing power supply in a 2-3 year old flat screen
monitor. I just replaced it & issue is now gone. If you have not done
this, disconnect the monitor from the PC, & make sure you plug the suspect
monitor directly into an outlet -bypassing any surge protector or such
device - & try to put it thru the manufacturer's user manual protocols to
verify its functions. What can you lose?

Good luck - Blithe


"Rich" <> wrote in message
news:%...
>
> "+Bob+" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> On Wed, 06 May 2009 15:27:11 -0500, Chris Barnes
>> <chris-> wrote:
>>
>>>Advice? Suggestions?
>>
>> Try changing the power settings so that it doesn't actually power down
>> the monitor when locked and idle. Set it to have a screen save pop up
>> but no power down. See if she can leave it locked for a significant
>> time and still log back on reliably.
>>
>> Vista is known for power management/resume issues. It's not all that
>> unlikely to see two identical machines behave differently due to some
>> obscure bit somewhere that has altered the behavior of one vs. the
>> other (welcome to Vista).
>>
>
> Along those lines since these are identical computers check the BIOS
> settings to make sure they are identical as well? Maybe the odd machine
> has the put monitor to sleep using.......and is set different than the
> other machines that work well?
>
> Rich
>

On May 6, 4:27*pm, Chris Barnes <chris-bar...@tamu.edu> wrote:
> When she is ready to unlock it, she hits alt-cntl-del. * 7 out of 8
> times, the screen comes back to the logon screen where she can type in
> her password, and unlock thecomputer. * But 1 time out of 8, the
> monitor will be totally black ... except for the arrow for the cursor.

There is a power up correction involving SATA drives - and a
software correction from Dell. Don't know if this applies. However
every Dell has a Servce Tag number. You enter that number where
requested in that web site and see any and all updates unique to that
machine. Reason why we don't waste money on no-name computers by
getting all lastest updates in one location.

On Fri, 8 May 2009 19:27:07 -0700 (PDT), westom <>
wrote:

> There is a power up correction involving SATA drives - and a
>software correction from Dell. Don't know if this applies. However
>every Dell has a Servce Tag number. You enter that number where
>requested in that web site and see any and all updates unique to that
>machine. Reason why we don't waste money on no-name computers by
>getting all lastest updates in one location.

If companies like Dell didn't make so many proprietary changes to
hardware, firmware, and software, they wouldn't need so many updates.

On May 8, 11:51*pm, +Bob+ <nomailple...@example.com> wrote:
> If companies like Dell didn't make so many proprietary changes to
> hardware, firmware, and software, they wouldn't need so many updates.

A classic myth. Dell and HP use industry standards.

Homebrew systems clearly need same and other updates. But none are
available. Those systems are sold to minimize costs. So many then
waste time repeatedly updating a BIOS without even knowing why.

Another example of bad hardware. Less reliable systems also do not
provide - for free - the comprehensive hardware diagnostics. Cheap
hardware cannot bother to let anyone have what already exists. More
cost controls.

That SATA drive problem probably exists in numerous homebrew
systems. But only reliable manufacturers will identify and solve it.
Just another reason why the Dell Service Tag numbers is so
important. Only more responsible computer manufacturers provide what
every computer should always have - comprehensive hardware
diagnostics.

In article <e95e1de1-dba1-4da6-ab6d->,
westom <> wrote:
>
>A classic myth. Dell and HP use industry standards.
>

Ummm, well... Certainly not for case parts :-)

And remember when Dell used to swap lines in its power supply
connectors so you had to use Dell power supplies?

Firmware's often custom, too. And what about PERC controllers?

>every computer should always have - comprehensive hardware
>diagnostics.

Why does that even matter? It's easy enough to tell what
the bad component is. The only doubts are sometimes is it memory or
motherboard? Or maybe processor or motherboard... Anyone interested
in actually fixing it themselves usually has a spare to test with...

On May 9, 3:26*pm, w...@panix.com (the wharf rat) wrote:
> * * * * Why does that even matter? *It's easy enough to tell what
> the bad component is. *The only doubts are sometimes is it memory or
> motherboard? *Or maybe processor or motherboard... *Anyone interested
> in actually fixing it themselves usually has a spare to test with..

Keep replacing parts until something works. Only the most
incompetent technicians do shotgunning.

Once had a video controller with one bad memory location. Computer
would randonly lock up because the memory location worked most of the
time - therefore was 100% defective. What parts would you have
replaced? Power supply? Memory? Disk Drive? Motherboard? Power
supply controller? Shotgunners would have spent hours or days trying
to solve this.

Oh. Failure also was temperature sensitive. So a shotgunner would
have started replacing and adding fans. Cure symptoms. How many
times would parts be replaced and suddenly the computer would work
again - then failed hours later?

You tell me - how many $thousand would you have spent replacing
motherboard, disk drive, memory, etc?

Anyone who shotguns would find themselves quickly unemployed in any
responsible organization. A standard concept even 40 and 70 years
ago. Shotgunning is routine among the least trained. Finding a
problem before fixing anything is how 30 seconds has even repladed
hours of swapping parts..

Consumer magazines routinely created a simplest problems.
Shotgunning techs were replacing power supplies, memory, motherboard,
and disk drives when none were defective. This is well reported and
directly traceable to a majority of computer techs who never learned
how to solve problems. They only understand shotgunning.

Amazing how many are so technically naive as to not learn nor
understand a principle even defined in a TV show. "Follow the
evidence."

Meanwhile, I found in minutes a memory with one defective location
that only caused crashing (everytime) when the room was heated well
above 70 degree F while running that comprehensive diagnostic. Dell
is so responsible as to provide comprehensive diagnostics for free.
So a solution was ordered the first time. The problem solved
immediately.

Those who buy crap computers are denied comprehensive diagnostics.
Diagnostics exist. But technicians are denied even that fundamental
tool. Techs then never learn how to "work smarter; not harder". Techs
who never learned these better methods avidly promote shotgunning -
the only thing they udnerstand.

OP has numerous methods for finding the problem before fixing it. An
informed tech views application notes and solutions already discovered
by others (using the Service Tag number). Can also execute
comprehensive hardware diagnostics.

One final note for the OP. Too many ignorant techs want to cure
symptoms. More fans. Diagnostics are executed in a 70 degree room.
If the problem is not repeatable, comprehensive diagnostics are again
execute at a temperature that every minimally designed computer loves
- 100 degree F. Often a 100% defective part only identifies itself
to comprehensive diagnostics in perfectly normal but warmer room.
Temperature is a diagnostic tool. Instead, the technical naive
shotgunner would preach "More Fans!"

How many days would shotgunners have spent on my defective video
controller memory locationi? How many $hundreds or $thousands do
shotgunners spend replacing parts?

OP has been informed by Dell of an intermittent defect and
solution that probably exists in many other computers. A problem that
shotgunning techs would never solve. Dell also provides a solution.

Shotgunners would never identify problem - which was also documented
in magazines such as Consumer Reports.