Blank screen after Windows x64 install
The final reboot after a fresh install of Windows x64 results in a completely blank screen. This is due to the standard Microsoft drivers for the video card not being quite up to the job. The ATI X300 video card that ships in all the Element systems requires the latest Catalyst drivers from the ATI website. Once you're faced with a blank screen you need to shut the computer down by pressing the power button, wait a couple of seconds and then reboot into Safe Mode. You can access Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key on your keyboard just after the lights (Num, Caps and Scroll lock) on your keyboard blink and before the Windows XP logo comes up on screen - may take a couple of goes to get this right. Once you do you'll see a menu, select "Safe Mode". Windows will now boot with a minimum of default drivers loaded and you should be able to see the desktop. You can now run the ATI driver installer which will correct the problem. Restart the computer and everything will be fine. When you buy a x64 system from us then all this will be dealt with at the factory. Similarly you will not see this problem if you use the Rain Restore disk for installing x64. This problem will only occur if you are installing x64 yourself, from scratch.Useful Links
Last Modified: December 31, 1969