FAQ
TL;DR: A GTX 1050 Ti system can black-screen when drivers load, especially with HDMI‑to‑VGA adapters; one helper advises to “wait for 3 minutes” during a test. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754549]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps Windows users fix black screens after GPU driver installs on older i5/H61 builds using adapters or mixed outputs.
Quick-Facts
- PC build noted: i5‑2400, H61M‑P20, 2×4 GB DDR3‑1333, G550M 550 W, GTX 1050 Ti 4 GB, Win10 Home 64‑bit. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754464]
- User used an HDMI‑to‑VGA adapter; issue may be wrong output detection without a native digital monitor. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754507]
- Safe Mode boot worked; black screen occurred before the login screen with normal boot. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754464]
- Black screen timing ranged from 10 minutes down to 1 minute after startup. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754569]
- BIOS/UEFI showed CPU at ~30 °C; no discrete GPU temperature there. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16755124]
Quick Facts
- PC build noted: i5‑2400, H61M‑P20, 2×4 GB DDR3‑1333, G550M 550 W, GTX 1050 Ti 4 GB, Win10 Home 64‑bit. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754464]
- User used an HDMI‑to‑VGA adapter; issue may be wrong output detection without a native digital monitor. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754507]
- Safe Mode boot worked; black screen occurred before the login screen with normal boot. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754464]
- Black screen timing ranged from 10 minutes down to 1 minute after startup. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754569]
- BIOS/UEFI showed CPU at ~30 °C; no discrete GPU temperature there. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16755124]
Why does my screen go black right after installing the latest Nvidia driver?
On older setups using HDMI‑to‑VGA adapters, the driver may switch to an output the monitor can’t show. Without a native digital path, the card can “see” another port and drive it instead. Test with a direct HDMI or DVI monitor when possible. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754507]
How can I test whether the HDMI‑to‑VGA adapter is the culprit?
Do a quick isolation test: install the driver, wait three minutes, power off, boot once without the adapter connected, then hot‑plug the adapter. If the image returns, the adapter or signal negotiation is involved. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754549]
What’s a safe, minimal 3‑step way to get past the black screen after driver install?
- Install the driver and wait three minutes.
- Power off with the case power button.
- Boot without the adapter, then connect it after Windows loads.
This confirms if the adapter path is failing under drivers. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754549]
How do I enable the Intel integrated graphics on an i5‑2400?
Remove the Nvidia card and connect the display to the motherboard video port. As one helper put it, “The integrated one should turn on automatically when you remove Nvidia.” This lets you verify Windows stability without the discrete GPU. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754629]
My screen turns black even with the GTX 1050 Ti removed—what should I check?
Check for thermal or power‑related shutdowns. Enter UEFI/BIOS and verify temperatures first. A moderator warned that poor cooler installation can trigger emergency shutdowns under load. “Check UEFI temperatures and give.” [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16754744]
Can I read GPU temperature in the BIOS/UEFI?
On this H61 system, the BIOS showed only CPU temperature (~30 °C). Discrete GPU temperature was not listed there, so use OS‑level tools only after you can boot normally. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16755124]
Device Manager stopped seeing my GTX 1050 Ti—what now?
If the GPU disappears after black‑screen events, boot Safe Mode and note detection status. Then try the integrated graphics test and the adapter isolation steps before reinstalling drivers. This sequence mirrors the thread timeline. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754569]
Does Safe Mode help when games like CS:GO won’t start due to drivers?
Yes. The user could boot Safe Mode reliably to remove the problematic updates. That restored basic startup but games still required proper drivers outside Safe Mode. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754464]
How do I reinstall or format Windows if I can’t in Safe Mode?
You can’t format the system partition from within Windows—Safe Mode or normal. Boot from Windows installation media (USB/DVD) and perform partitioning or a clean install from there. [Elektroda, aarek68, post #16755236]
Windows 10 keeps black‑screening; would switching to Windows 7 help?
The thread author installed Windows 7 alongside Windows 10. Black screens stopped under Windows 7, and the system was declared working. This shows OS‑level differences can change outcomes. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16755273]
How fast can the failure appear, and what’s the edge case to watch?
Failure timing varied from about ten minutes to one minute after startup. In one edge case, the screen went black right after entering the password. Time‑based variance suggests driver initialization or power‑state changes. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16754569]
Should I reset the BIOS to defaults to fix this?
Consider simpler checks first: verify cooling and temperatures in UEFI. Incorrect cooler mounting can cause shutdowns that mimic display faults. Resetting BIOS is secondary to thermal verification. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16754744]
What ports and cables should I prefer with a GTX 1050 Ti on an older monitor?
Use a native digital connection (HDMI or DVI) without adapters when possible. Adapters can prevent correct detection when drivers load, causing black screens. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754507]
Why does the image return only after hot‑plugging the adapter?
Hot‑plugging can force the GPU to renegotiate the active output after Windows loads. That bypasses the initial handoff during driver activation. It’s a strong indicator of adapter path issues. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16754549]
Does BIOS temperature prove my GPU is fine?
No. The BIOS reading of ~30 °C was for the CPU only. You still need OS‑level checks for the discrete GPU once you can boot without black screens. [Elektroda, kazusza, post #16755124]
DR3 2 x 4GB 1333MHz CL9 