Display going DARK, repeatedly, for no reason...

[Bubba Euler]

Acer 5517;  Windows 7 Enterprise x64;  4 GB RAM;  No Driver updates since Jan/Feb this year;

This is really upsetting:  the LCD screen will go DARK without warning and without reason.  Normally, I use the Fn:F6 combination to darken the screen between sessions.  This morning, 5/28/14, during boot, the screen went DARK without prompting.  I have had to use the Fn:F6 combination repeatedly since then, all morning to get back the "back-light" of the LCD.  It happens, as I've noticed, when I start a major program (Chrome, et al) 

I have checked the "Power Settings" and it is set to never go DARK and never Sleep without a command. 

I can't find the actual "driver" or program that controls this.  I've never encountered this before and it is kind'a scary. 

I "have a feeling" that it is software and NOT hardware causing the new problem.  Any ideas or concepts?

Thanks!!! 

[Shane]

Some laptops have a option about dimming the screen inside the bios, check that there. Also when it does darken what is the battery level at and does it do it when the power is plugged in?

Shane

[Bubba Euler]

ALL of that is good...no prior problems.   All are set properly.  This is suddenly upon me!!!!!!!!!!!!   Without warning; without changing any settings; without Bill Gates saying "HEY, Bubba!"

[jraju]

Try system restore to get in to previous date.
Most problem with system files or configuration is cured by this tool. Did you try? i do not know

[Bubba Euler]

Running on Power Supply, only!  Battery is at half-life...  but I don't use it.  Only AC Power. 

The "DARK" screen happens during boot (sign-in, et al)  then doesn't present itself after a period of normal operation.  The laptop is not dust encrusted.  Filters are clean. 

The Fn/F6 alternate action for On/Off of screen back-light works dependably and never fails to function. 

SVCHOST.EXE still has an unusually long boot cycle then quits and is quiet afterward, unless I change the wireless connection;  then SVCHOST.EXE goes into high gear, again.  The Wireless Driver has been reverted to the earliest one I had available on the system.

Ran the Simple System Tweaker.

This problem is not debilitating but is of concern to me.  I simply want a smooth dependable computer.  I am active in updates and maintenance.

[Shane]

Anything in the event viewer at all that might give us any information?

Shane

[Bubba Euler]

I will re-boot and then check Event Viewer, copy/paste.  I checked just now and it is empty. 

[jraju]

Hi, How could system event viewer be empty. It should have entries on applications, alerts, failures etc for some days.

[Bubba Euler]

Hi, How could system event viewer be empty. It should have entries on applications, alerts, failures etc for some days.

Don't know; just is!  Hmmm?

[Bubba Euler]

This condition has, seemingly, solved itself.  No more Dark Screen unless I press Fn/F6.  Maybe it was a part of the Network RootKit that ComboFix found and deleted?  Anyway, good news.  I hope I haven't jinxed it by bragging.... ~ha~!

[Shane]

Good to hear things are going good.

The way rootkits work, most of them hijack the system and put themselves in front of as much of the system as possible so that everything ends up going through it. When that happens things break.

Shane

[Bubba Euler]

Judging by the description I found: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit, I am fortunate to have had such an easy fix. 

I can not give enough cudo's to ComboFix!!!  Even though it deleted the infected files without asking to isolate them, I am thankful for its capabilities and actions!!!!!!

I use Panda Cloud A/V and Malwarebytes, as backup.  I use Windows Firewall. 

I just wish I knew from where this RootKit came. 

Have a wondeful Father's Day, Shane.  You deserve it!!!!!!!!!!!!