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Question

PC lock screen turns black and doesn't to come back on.

May 18, 2017 2:21AM PDT

So, the other day, I downloaded this file onto my laptop, and accidentally allowed a few programs to make changes to my computer. I quickly uninstalled everything that was installed, and deleted all the downloads, and I thought I was fine. Boy, was I wrong...

But then, I started having this problem where, whenever I try to lock the screen (for me, pressing the power button locks the screen), the screen goes black, but the lock screen doesn't show up. It just goes black, with only my mouse visible, so I'm forced to do a hard restart of my computer any time my screen locks or tries to use it's screensaver.

But that's not all, a few minutes after starting my computer (about 5-10 minutes, depending on how I use it), my search bar stops working as well- if you click on the search bar or try to type something in, nothing budges (it's just as if no one ever clicked on it). I noticed that my lock screen usually works fine, up until the point where my search bar stops working, then the above-stated problems occur. That makes me think that there's a service messing with my computer, but it takes a while to boot up before it can have an effect, but I suck with pc's so I wouldn't know.

Then there's the fact that for some odd reason, I can't download some files from the net. I tried downloading 2 different types of antivirus, both failed (click the download button and nothing happens), and I tried uploading a document, also failed (click the upload button and nothing happens).

I ran a scan on my pc using Windows Defender and it said everything was fine, but I don't think that's the case.

Anyone know what's going on and/or how to fix it?

Device Information:
Operating System: Windows 10
Manufacturer: ASUS
Model: ROG GL552JX
System: 64-bit Operating System, x-64 based processor

Discussion is locked

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RE: Restore point
May 18, 2017 3:34AM PDT

I already tried using a restore point. Twice. Maybe I should've said it in the post.
It seemed to restore both times, but after boot it says that the restore was unsuccessful.

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Next step
May 18, 2017 4:00AM PDT
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No Factory Restore Media, and some of the programs don't run
May 18, 2017 2:50PM PDT

First off, I don't have the factory restore media. I used the restore point using an automatic restoration point created by the computer before whatever this problem is affected my pc.

Second, I tried running the AdwCleaner, but it says that the " program has been blocked for my safety by the administrator", funnily enough, I am the administrator and I never blocked that program. The rkill tool, on the other hand, ran fine, though I haven't tried the rest yet.

Either there is a really smart virus/adware/rootkit on my pc, or my computer has gone totally nuts and bananas Silly

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If Win 10 was activated try this.
May 18, 2017 3:18PM PDT
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Factory restore media
May 18, 2017 4:24PM PDT

Put it on your 'to do list' to make that media.
Just tuck it away in a draw and hope you never have to use it.

What's the plan if the hdd goes poof! ?

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That didn't work
May 19, 2017 3:18PM PDT

I followed all the given steps, but the problems I listed still persist. The tools found some malware and adware, and I deleted all of them, but I still get a black screen, and my search bar still doesn't work, and I still can't upload documents.

Do you know what else I can try?

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Answer
Small world.
May 18, 2017 3:45PM PDT

My son and I have the ASUS ROG GL552VW-DH71

I can report I've used the Microsoft Media Creation Kit to make W10 install sticks for many other PCs and this one. I don't think it's time for that extreme a solution.

1. Finish the list by Grif. DO NOT SKIP STEPS. DO NOT OMIT any of the scans.
2. CHKDSK /F /R /X all drive letters.

3. If that's not working share a Web Speccy report so we can peek and see if something else is going on.

FINALLY, what did you do Ray? What did you download and run? Without that detail you may have folk giving you more work to do than required.

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RE
May 19, 2017 3:21PM PDT

1. I followed the list. It didn't work

2. Noted

3. What's a Web Speccy report?

I downloaded a file and accidentally allowed it some permissions to make changes to my pc (by accident). It gave me some browser pop-up websites and other stuff which I immediately deleted it. All residual files were deleted during step 1.

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I forgot to link how.
May 19, 2017 3:24PM PDT
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Speccy Web Report
May 20, 2017 10:51AM PDT

What, exactly, do you want me to show you using Speccy? Could you please specify a file/path/directory that I should upload?

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Speccy
May 20, 2017 11:17AM PDT

When you publish a speecy it will give you a link to view the report.

Put that link in your post, then members can see it.

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Oh, I thought you wanted me to load a snapshot
May 20, 2017 11:26AM PDT
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Answer
Black lock screen
May 20, 2017 4:46AM PDT

I do not have the answer as to why this is happening or how to fix it. I do have a workaround other than the hard restart; which I am not in favor of. Press (ctrl+shift+esc) to bring up Task Manager. Click on "file" and select "run new task" from the drop down. Enter "explorer.exe" in the task name and click "run". This will restart Windows Explorer and on my computer, restores the desktop and all functionality.

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No Luck
May 20, 2017 10:48AM PDT

I tried using ctrl+shift+esc once my pc begun acting up but nothing changed.

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Answer
Speccy reading told a little story.
May 20, 2017 11:41AM PDT

I see the remains of Mcafee but in safe mode I can't tell much else.

Get your files off the machine and try the factory reset Asus recommends.