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CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide

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Buggy video drivers can result in a black screen in Windows, rather than a

blue screen. Usually the screen will have information, just like the BSoD, so

you get a clue about the next step to take to resolve the issue.

EXAM TIP Malware can cause Windows to fail to start normally or make

it appear to be missing. One nasty malware running around recently, for

example, caused what appeared to be a BSoD warning of imminent hard

drive controller failure. Even after getting rid of the malware, Windows

appeared devoid of any graphical elements at all: no Start button, icons, or

files even in Computer. That’s because the malware had changed the

attributes of every file and folder on the hard drive to hidden! See Chapter 27,

“Securing Computers,” for recovery techniques for malware-attacked

computers.

The second indication of a device problem that shows up during the final

part of startup is a freeze-up: the Windows startup screen just stays there and

you never get a chance to log on. If this happens, try one of the Advanced

Startup Options, covered following the Registry.

Device drivers can trip up Linux systems too, causing their own form of

BSoD, called a kernel panic. The fix follows along the same lines as for

Windows—go to the manufacturer’s Web site and find updated drivers or

kernel modules (code that gets inserted directly into the kernel).

Note that failing hardware can create kernel panic in macOS and Linux

and bring the system down. Kernel panic in macOS is demonstrated by a

black or gray screen of death and is, I assure you, a terrifying moment to

experience.

EXAM TIP The Spinning Pinwheel of Death (SPoD) that you see on

macOS systems indicates an unresponsive system. These often get lumped

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