Windows 7 Black Screen of Death? (It's not as bad as it sounds)

Well, maybe it's not as bad as it sounds, but it's still not so good. As you're probably aware, over the last week or so Windows users of all stripes (not just Windows 7 users, as it turns out) have been complaining of a plain black screen that appears upon login -- at which point the systems lock up, and... that's it. Aside from some users getting an additional My Computer window (lucky devils) the system grinds to a halt. According to a Microsoft email that's making the rounds, the company is "investigating reports that its latest release of security updates is resulting in system issues for some customers." Until that time, what's a poor PC user to do? Prevx, a UK developer of anti-malware software, has surmised that a recent Windows security patch changed Access Control List (ACL) entries in the registry, preventing some software from running properly and prompting Engadget to whip up a Bergman-inspired graphic. If your machine should find itself afflicted, Prevx has put together a fix that it claims will do the trick. Keep in mind that we don't know these guys, so don't blame us if it blows up your computer -- or gives you the Bubonic plague. We'll let you know when we hear back from Microsoft on this one. Good luck!

Update: Microsoft says this isn't its fault, and that it's likely some nasty malware to blame.

[madocs Posted Dec 1st 2009 11:32PM]

the BSOD has visited my PC. I thought it was related to the version I installed (enterprise N), reinstalled Ultimate, not issues since- but it sucked.

[atomise Posted Dec 2nd 2009 12:14AM]

at least now you can't tell if it's the software fault or the problem with the LCD

a fine trick to stop the talk on the BSOD

[lexitu Posted Dec 2nd 2009 12:37AM]

Mac Vs Pc

Mac: What's wrong PC, black screen again?
PC: Yeah, routine software update, you know, trying to stop all those viruses that PCs get.
Mac: Oh, that sounds nasty. You know, you can use my guest account if you like.
PC: Wow, I get to use a mac!
---
Mac later finds out that their data has been deleted and emails PC a virus = Happy Ending.

[Wesscoast Posted Dec 2nd 2009 2:43AM]

@(Unverified)

Just one problem with your snarky comment:

100% of Windows users are in danger of randomly getting a black screen

1% of Mac users would ever touch a Guest user account.
0.5% of Mac users would ever touch a Guest user account on SL.

[MiketheVee Posted Dec 2nd 2009 3:00AM]

@(Unverified)
95% of statistics posted in comments are made up on the spot.
2.5% find statistics off random sites with no proof
2.5% backs up their stats with reliable sources.

[Medina Posted Dec 2nd 2009 12:54AM]

Hello, I'm a Mac...

[collindow Posted Dec 2nd 2009 1:02AM]

@Medina
And a fool!

[MiketheVee Posted Dec 2nd 2009 1:41AM]

@Medina
http://www.cad-comic.com/cad/20021126
http://www.cad-comic.com/cad/20050608

just sayin...

[lexitu Posted Dec 2nd 2009 2:51AM]

@Medina

Nah, I'm with you mate, I love Macs, I'm typing on the MacBook Pro's beautiful keyboard. I was just trying to represent both sides :) Besides, you could find another problem with my comment as the issue with SL has been fixed some time ago. Cheers :)

[Tommymang Posted Dec 2nd 2009 3:41AM]

Looks like a virus to me, had the same experience with XP a few years ago.

[DarkGrimoire Posted Dec 2nd 2009 7:20AM]

BSOD's or not, Windows will keep goin strong on and on.. until the next BSOD.. and repeat.. I love it.. :D..

But seriously, it will...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 2nd 2009 7:44AM]

got it yesterday, restore helped, automatic updates now turned off!

[Smurf Posted Dec 2nd 2009 12:51PM]

Yea! I can't wait to go home and install this to my drive. I've been waiting for what feels like forever. (What has it been, a month?)

[megapenguinx Posted Dec 2nd 2009 2:06PM]

This recently happened to my girlfriend's computer.
It was ancient, so I just convinced her to buy a cheap new one at best buy (it was for her mom who really only uses it for the internet and word).
Still, I've heard this goes back to 2004, and back then people thought it had something to do with the file system being used. No clue what it is now, but I highly doubt it is malware.

[Alan Strangis Posted Dec 2nd 2009 2:16PM]

Betanews actually has a better update to the story, which they thought was kind of bogus in the first place...

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/12/01/microsoft-black-screen-of-death-due-to-patches-umm-no

Looks like everyone jumped the gun on this one.

[solarbuddy Posted Dec 2nd 2009 4:06PM]

So the UK "security company" Prevx admits that they blew the diagnosis--it's malware--and the BSOD is *not* the fault of Microsoft, and their CEO says, "We apologize to Microsoft for any inconvenience our blog may have caused," yet people are still cheesed off at Microsoft. A morning talk-jock in S. California ranted for most of drive-time about the evils of Microsoft. I'm betting I won't hear even a hint of apology tomorrow.

[nursegal Posted Dec 2nd 2009 4:33PM]

My Sony Vaio UX390n has been bricked since I did a windows update 2 weeks ago. I asked the only tech guy i know to look at it but he couldn't fix it. I tried the fix from Prevx but not luck. so now is my only portable computer dead for good? anyone with advice on how to proceed now i'd really appreciate it. Thank you. :(

[JCounts Posted Dec 2nd 2009 7:32PM]

I've had Win7 hang after login, but it only happens when I boot my laptop anywhere other than my work network. It takes a bit for Windows to determine that my mapped drives aren't present, but it's fine after that.

[Yolol Posted Dec 3rd 2009 3:32PM]

Yes! A colour change.

Guys, let's all go back to good old XP. :(
The blue was nicer.

[ajwgeek Posted Dec 3rd 2009 6:24PM]

I get this ALOT when I play World of Warcraft... It really sucks

[bushi Posted Dec 4th 2009 3:27PM]

Yes, by all means call MS support at $25 a pop to get somebody to randomly look up KB articles for you an then say it must be some software they don't support.
They complain repeatedly that the problem was "Not brought directly to them".... yes they wonder why....