Black screen when Windows boots!

[Shane]

It is possible that Windows simply set the resolution to a size the monitor doesn't support or a refresh rate it doesn't support. So in safe mode change the refresh rate and resolution and then reboot and see if that works

Shane

[TLG11]

I will try that now. I'll come back in a few mins!

[TLG11]

Update: It was all correct with resolution, refresh rate etc. The issue still remains. Should I do a complete driver cleanup and driver sweeper? Maybe that can solve the weird issues. If none of that works I guess the only option is to return the card as faulty.

UPDATE: WHAT?! I let the PC run for a few more minutes to see if Windows loaded normally even without the screen input. Suddenly "Welcome" appears. Everything... boots... I am kind of suprised. I'm confused. Very confused.

[Shane]

Sounds like it was just waiting for the drivers to load. Make sure you have the newest drivers

Startup and shutdown has to do with drivers.

Startup - Load all the drivers
Shutdown - Unload all the drivers.

Blank screen then Windows means video driver normally.

Shane

[TLG11]

So a very possible reason might be a dirty driver install? I suppouse that can be solved.

I will check further after this driver issue is fixed, if the solid color screen freeze on boot remains. It probably didn't happen now because I have been inside BIOS and safe mode a lot. I'll reply when I know. Thanks.

[worcom]

You could try putting the old card back in, run NFR(nasty file remover) cleans out old Video Drivers, then put back the GTX760 and re-install drivers
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/nasty_file_remover.html

[TLG11]

You could try putting the old card back in, run NFR(nasty file remover) cleans out old Video Drivers, then put back the GTX760 and re-install drivers
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/nasty_file_remover.html

Can you confirm that the program won't delete any important files? I've heard complains about how some programs delete important Windows files.

[worcom]

impossible to confirm anything, as different computers have a host different interweaving Programs but you could make an Image Backup
of your drive first "Shadow Protect" or "Macrium Reflect" are very good.
System restore won't help as restoring the Registry does not restore deleted drivers.
Cheap way out, if boot fails due to Driver Error, run Win7 Repair enter Dos Prompt and from drive x type:  sfc /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=d:\windows
any windows files deleted should be restored.
If you have an 850w P/Supply that is more than enough for your 170w GTX760

[TLG11]

Can you explain a bit further about the Dos Prompt? I don't really understand.

[worcom]

check out this address:  http://installwithscreenshots.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/how-to-perform-windows-7-startup-repair.html
7th screenshot down shows the "Command Prompt"
Have a play with it before you attempt any changes, that way you'll be more familiar if you actually need to do it.

oops I forgot
  with the sfc /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=d:\windows
replace the letter "D" with whatever your "Boot Drive" is, in Command Prompt if you have Mulitiple drives, your "C"
Drive may have another letter, mine shows as "D"
Phew

[TLG11]

Well. I've written to the store I bought the card at, and in case my old card works fine I'll send the 760 back.

Regarding Windows and the HDD issues... I got a basic idea of what I want to do: Buy two new 1TB discs. Put them in and let D:, which contains all games and important documents, get RAID or whatever it was called and mirror all the content over there, or at least the most of it. After that I will install Windows on the empty 1TB disc, and try to set up everything. If anything goes wrong, I could always boot my old Windows for the meantime.