Black/Blank Screen - what can I do?

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David5000

David5000

PCHF Member
Feb 14, 2025
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I have an issue. When I boot my PC, the screen it black/blank and all I see is a mouse points which I can move with the mouse, but it's rotating like a loading icon, I can't do anything else.

It's a Windows 10 PC,

Processor (CPU)Intel® Core™ i7 16-Core Processor i7-13700KF
MotherboardASUS® TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI
Memory (RAM)32GB PCS PRO DDR5 4800MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 Ti
2TB CORSAIR FORCE MP600 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD

I've tried to get into Safe mode (rebooting 3 times etc) but it never appears, I know the PC is suppose to go into recovery mode, If it is, It's not appearing.
I can get into bios, but I can't do anything from there.

I know the leads are working as I can see bio etc.

I've rebooted countless times.

I don't have a Windows Disk, or I don't have a Disk drive.



I'm nearly sure this is related to GPU drivers, I was trying to get some software working earlier and needed to add / remove Nvidia driver / CUDA drivers etc. But it was working while doing it… I left for dinner, came back to what I thought was just a locked PC,, but I couldn't wake it,, rebooted it and well,, here I am.

Is there anything I can try?

I can't use the display ports on the motherboard as the CPU doesn't support it. I've read that the KF version means there is no Intel UHD Graphics built into the CPU.

I can't wipe the drive as this is my work PC with gig's of work for my and some of my clients !
 
Two (2) options
1) Boot with a Linux distro - such as Ubuntu. - I have instructions if you need them.
You can then use Ubuntu to copy off important data so you know it is safe.

2) Use the windows creation tool to create a bootable usb and run a repair - I have instructions if you need them.

If you use Ubuntu you will need a usb stick to boot from and an external drive to copy data to.

If you just want to try the repair you will need a minimum 8GB usb stick.
 
Last edited:
Do you have any data you need to get off this computer? If yes then make a ubuntu bootable usb or dvd
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#1-overview NO install needed
Or here is a Youtube on how to make the usb
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Copy your data to an external drive or another computer/nas.
Insert the usb or cd/dvd and boot your system. You may have to change bios settings to boot from the usb or cd/dvd(every computer is different) We can help with this.
If you are copying to another usb drive plug it in before booting.
When the computer boots choose TRY UBUNTU and let the system boot.
When booted look on the left-hand side of the screen and click on Files icon
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Then click on Other Locations
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Click on your drive for example Win 7
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Click on Users Icon
Click on your name listed under users
You should now see your data e.g Documents Pictures etc.
Copy your data to an external drive or another computer/nas.
When finished Click on the shutdown icon in the top right-hand corner Click on Power Off
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Windows 10 Repair from usb.
You will need a usb stick with minimum 8GB **NB all data will be deleted from the usb.
go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10
  1. Select Download tool now and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
  2. If you agree to the licence terms, select Accept.
  3. On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.
  4. Select the language, edition and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10.
  5. Select which media you want to use:
    • USB flash drive. Attach a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.
  6. Set your bios to boot from USB - (you can try F11 first and see if you get a boot menu).
  7. Choose the option to repair your computer.
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How would I have the data off the PC? I can't see anything.

I'm making a USB drive now, i'll see if that helps.
 
David5000 said:
How would I have the data off the PC? I can't see anything.
Click to expand...
The hope is: that the reason you are seeing the black screen is inherent in your current system. When you boot from the Linux USB, the issue causing the blank screen will be gone and you'll be able to "See" to grab your files and possibly troubleshoot the problem.
 
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