Windows 7 Black Screen of Death
It has been confirmed that computing giant Microsoft is looking into a problem described as the “black screen of death”, which is a growing problem for users of its latest operating system, Windows 7.
The problem has caused many users of Windows 7 to be shown a completely black screen after logging on to the system.
Microsoft has said it is looking into claims that suggest the latest security update, released on 10 November, was the root of the problem.
However, according to reports, the error also affects Vista, XP and other systems.
Major software company Prevx, which has created a download to remedy the problem, says “millions” of people may be affected.
David Kennerley, an employee at Prevx, revealed that “users have resorted to reloading Windows as a last ditch effort to fix the problem”.
“We hope we can help a good many of you avoid the need to reload.”
Prevx announced that although the cure to the problem worked in many cases, it did not work in all.
“There can be many causes,” said Mr Kennerley.
“But if your black screen woes began in the last two weeks after a Windows update or after running any security program (including Prevx) to remove malware during this time then this fix will have a high probability of working.”
Mr Kennerly went on to reveal that “at least 10 different scenarios which will trigger the same black screen conditions”.
“These appear to have been around for years now,” he said.
According to Prevx, the problem affects editions of Windows 7, Vista, XP, NT, and Windows 2000.
Those who have been affected by the problem have been advised to contact Microsoft’s customer service line.
A Microsoft spokesperson declared that reports did “not match any known issues” that had been recorded by the company previously.
Many are concerned that Microsoft has yet to issue a fix for the problem, which, according to reports, causes the desktop, task bar, system tray and side bar to disappear.
The “black screen of death” term is being used by many to describe the problem and is based on the “blue screen of death” pun, which is visible when Microsoft operating systems crash.
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