Windows screen reboots every couple of seconds

[rwest]

When starting up the screen seems to reboot.
windows menus/ bottom menu and program icons mostly dissapear and re-appear.

In the mean time windows is practically unusable.
Hard to start up any program.

No error messages appear on screen.

 

[Trouble]

Sounds a bit like the flashing screen / explorer crashing symptoms we've heard quite a bit about.
Use
Ctrl + Alt + Delete
to open Task Manager
Use the file menu to "run new task"
type
msconfig
hit enter or click OK.
Select the "boot" tab and tick the check box next to "Safe boot"
And the radio button next to "Network"
Click "OK"
Restart your computer.

If the symptoms go away in Safe Mode with Networking.....
It's likely your GPU Driver, use device manager to uninstall it.
You need to determine which GPU you have installed and acquire the proper Windows 10 driver for it.

If the symptoms do not go away then it might be your Network Card driver and you'll need to address that similarly.

Go back to msconfig and untick "Safe boot" to resume normal start up.

 

[rwest]

Thank you.
The symptoms got worse in safe mode with networking.
In terms of the network card driver.

Anything you could tell me on how to find the driver to uninstall?
And additionally if this would be a correct driver to reinstall?

Thanks again.

 

[Trouble]

I would first suggest testing Safe Mode without ticking the radio button to include "Networking".
Just as a means of determining if it is actually your NIC driver or not.

 

[rwest]

I would first suggest testing Safe Mode without ticking the radio button to include "Networking".
Just as a means of determining if it is actually your NIC driver or not.

Done, with radio button 'minimal' ticked.
Challenge remained as before.

 

[Trouble]

So, based on what you've said so far, plain simple safe mode provided no relief from your problem??
Another question......
Do you have any third party security suite installed on this computer (Avast, Avira, AVG, Comodo, McAfee, Norton, Zone Alarm, and the list goes on and on, etc., etc.,)

 

[rwest]

Yes, MacAfee. And very recently renewed. Windows 10 upgrade & Mcafee renewal were done very closely together.

 

[rwest]

And I have 2 products installed by the lookks of it: security plan plus and total protection

 

[Trouble]

Not familar with those last two but, I think they maybe part of the McAfee Package. if it was me......
I'd uninstall all three, which might be a pain but you need to move forward in the diagnostic process.
After uninstalling McAfee follow up by using the vendor specific proprietary removal tool, for here http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS101331
you have to scroll half way down that page to get the download link to the MCPR.exe tool.
Run that and reboot

 

[rwest]

Done. And no more challenges in terms of Windows.

 

[rwest]

Is the next step to reinstall Mcafee?

 

[Trouble]

Personally, I would leave it off, but that's just me.
You should at least check and see what they have to offer, in terms of a version that is Windows 10 compatible.

 

[rwest]

Trouble, thanks for the help.
You were significantly faster and more practical then anything Microsoft offered via direct channels.

 

[Trouble]

You're welcome and I'm glad to hear that you were able to work through it and resolve your issue.
Thanks for posting back and updating your thread with that information and thanks for the kind comment.

 

[rwest]

I cheered too early.
Challenges reappeared today.

I have not reinstalled Mcafee.
Should I try the first steps once more to see if I can identify anything?

 

[Trouble]

Did you run the MCPR.exe tool from McAfee after you uninstalled it (McAfee Consumer Product Removal)?
Check the properties of your network card and make sure that it is not listed among the list of "This connection uses the following items:"
Double check device manager "View hidden devices" make sure it is not listed there either. Look under both Software Devices and System Devices for any reference to McAfee.

 

[rwest]

I did run MCPR.exe, ran it once again y'day. Y'day it seemed clear from any mcafee files. I also.searched through network card and devices. Nothing found there either.

 

[Trouble]

So you are back to a flashing screen even in Safe Mode?

Do you have any peripherals attached?
USB Dongles (for wireless or blue tooth keyboards or mice)?
Or anything else except the normal wired keyboard, mouse (USB) and monitor?

 

[rwest]

I rebooted in safe mode + no networking + no peripherals attached. Raif flashes continued.

I now rebooted in regular mode + no peripherals attached. Very few flashes and then normal screen.

Periphals that were attached were:

via USB hub:
- wireless keyboard - via USB card
- printer
- headset
- internet cable via USB

Screen is connected via mini-VGA.

 

[Trouble]

So if the flashing has stabilized to some extent, perhaps now would be a good time to double check Windows Updates and see if there are any pending.
My concern is primarily for a suitable GPU driver.

Screen is connected via mini-VGA.

Is this "computer" a tablet?
What kind of computer is it? Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, 2 in 1, etc.
Manufacturer Name, Model Name, Model Number, etc., etc.
What GPU does it use?