Windows 7 Black screen after reboot

[ameneses54]

Dear users,
My system is configured as follows:
Dell Dimensions 8400, 8GB RAM, two hard drives with over 500 GB, one holds the operating system and the other data.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Nvidia GE Force 6800
About a day ago I rebooted and all I got was a complete black screen, no cursor no nothing.
I rebooted again and this time I was taken to Windows but at another resolution than my original settings and after going to display properties I noticed that my monitor was not recognized and the display was shown at default resolution.
Considering it may be a driver problem I updated the video card drivers to the latest available and also just in case, I changed my CMOS battery.
Once again I rebooted and this time I entered Windows normally, but after another reboot, the problem repeated itself again and most of the time I have to reboot two times in order to be successful.
To check if this was a software problem I restored my system from an image that was a month old and still the same situation.
At this point I don't know whether this is a software or hardware problem and I don't know what else to do for troubleshooting.
I would appreciate your advice.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are facing an issue with your system where you encounter a black screen with no cursor or any visible elements after a reboot. This is followed by the system booting into Windows with display resolution issues and problems recognizing your monitor. Given the symptoms you described, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to address the issue:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Check Physical Connections:
   • Ensure that all cables connecting your monitor, graphics card, and other hardware components are securely plugged in.
   []Monitor and Graphics Card Issues:
   • Test your monitor with another system or try a different monitor with your current setup to rule out monitor issues.
   • Inspect the Nvidia GE Force 6800 graphics card for any physical damage or loose connections.
   []Driver and Software Updates:
   • Confirm that you've installed the correct and latest drivers for your graphics card from Nvidia's official website.
   • Consider rolling back to a previous stable driver version to see if the problem persists.
   []System Hardware Diagnostics:
   • Run hardware diagnostics to check the health of your RAM, hard drives, and other components. Dell systems usually have built-in diagnostics accessible during boot.
   []Boot in Safe Mode:
   • Boot your system in Safe Mode to see if the issue occurs. If it doesn't, it could indicate a software conflict causing the problem.
   []Windows System File Check:
   • Perform a System File Check (SFC) to scan and repair corrupted system files that may be causing the issue.
   []Check Event Viewer:
   • Check the Windows Event Viewer for any error messages or warnings that could provide more insights into the problem.
   []BIOS Update:
   • Consider updating the BIOS of your Dell Dimensions 8400 to the latest version, as outdated BIOS can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
   []Monitor Driver Installation:
   • Check if the monitor has a specific driver and install it to ensure proper recognition by the system.
2. System Restore:
   • If you have any recent restore points, consider restoring your system to a time when it was functioning normally.

     Additional Considerations:​

     • Keep track of any changes or software installations that coincided with when the issue started occurring.
     • If possible, try using a different graphics card or integrated graphics to isolate the problem to the current graphics card.
     By following these steps, you can narrow down the root cause of the issue and take appropriate action to resolve it. If the problem persists, you may need to consult a professional technician for further diagnosis and repair. Good luck with troubleshooting your system!