Windows 7 "Black Screen of Death" Attributed to Malware

In October, Microsoft released its latest generation of operating system: Windows 7.

Users of previous versions of Windows may be familiar with the nicknamed "blue screen of death" that occurs from a hardware or driver failure. Since the Windows 7 release, users have reported a mysterious "black screen of death" that cripples its access. Though unlike its blue predecessor, the "black screen" is the symptom of a much-less serious issue.

This new phenomenon occurs just after the user login screen and displays a solid black screen instead of loading the desktop. It was originally attributed to a flaw in Microsoft's own security update and had been reported to affect Windows 2000, NT, Vista, and XP as well.

The good news is that this is no longer found to be true.

Microsoft quickly investigated the claims made by the software firm Prevx that had submitted the report and determined that none of the changes made by their November security update could have produced that kind of issue. Prevx has since retracted their claims and publicly apologized for their mistake. They stated that their conclusion may have been too hasty and that the challenge of identifying the cause of the issue was difficult.

The current diagnosis is that the "black screen" is caused by malware; most likely Daonol. Daonol is a trojan that affects network traffic. It steals FTP information, blocks security websites, disables access to certain system functions, and redirects web searches to sites containing more infectious malware.

Millions of Windows 7 users that may be affected by the "black screen" may be forced to re-install the operating system from scratch. Microsoft suggest that in preventing future infection from similar malware, users should use strong firewall and anti-virus software, as well as installing the latest Windows updates whenever they're available.

Microsoft also welcomes its users to contact their customer service lines, should they experience concerns for their own Windows PC.

Prevx is working on a less-extreme fix for users to resolve the issue. So far, they've developed a fix that has been successful, though it does not yet work for all systems. They claim with confidence that if users have only started experiencing the "black screen" since mid-November or after running any system security software (including Prevx), their current solution is likely to work.

To expand on their current understanding of the "black screen" phenomenon, a Prevx representative stated that the software firm has found at least ten different scenarios that might create that kind of effect. In fact, they believe that this issue has actually been around for years.

Triangle Laptops also offers its assistance in resolving the issue. Removing malware and viruses is part of our reputable laptop repair service. We also perform installation for operating systems, including the new Windows 7. For questions or a free quote, feel free to contact us via email or call toll free 1-877-456-7869.

Windows 7 Is Here!

The much-awaited Windows 7 is finally here!

Over the past few years, Microsoft has had difficulty with their Windows Vista operating system, due to its early compatibility issues and taxing use on system resources. In fact, it increased demand for its previous version of operating system, Windows XP. Customers proved that they were willing to pay PC suppliers extra to downgrade from Vista to XP.

While Microsoft eventually resolved most of Vista's compatibility problems, the OS continued to struggle to please users. Learning from their past mistakes and listening carefully to the needs of their customers, Microsoft quickly went to work developing its next generation of operating system, titled Windows 7.

Beta testing for Windows 7 began in early 2009, earning quite the positive reception. Its interface is much more customizable, bringing back the "personal" in "personal computer". At first glance, Win7 appears similar to Vista. However, the most notable features are what's under the hood. So far, Win7 has both XP and Vista beat in several performance tests, proving that it's faster and easier to use.

These test results come from the open Beta version of Win7, though many more improvements are expected to be made by its commercial release version.

Microsoft has put effort into simplifying the differences between its edition of Windows 7, making it less confusing for consumers to determine which one best suites their needs. Win7 comes in three flavors: Home, Professional, and Ultimate. Home Edition is designed for basic home use. Professional Edition has more features that benefit a work environment. Ultimate Edition is loaded with additional features and is intended for those who have network administration. There is a Starter Edition of Win7, though that will be reserved for pre-installation on netbooks and simple computers.

In order to ease skeptics and to insure better compatibility with older hardware and software, Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate come with an XP mode. This feature runs a virtual machine that basically runs WinXP on the same installed PC. Users will be able to run their old software as before, though it will appear through XP's older interface.

Users who want to streamline the operating system further will have the ability to disable many more components than in Vista. This includes the Internet Explorer web browser, Windows Media Center, and Windows Search.

For PC gaming, Win7 will continue supporting the Games for Windows features that began in Vista: The Game Advisor and Games Explorer. Game Advisor is a handy tool that evaluates the PC's hardware and determines which video games will run the smoothest on it. Games Explorer simplifies accessing your installed games by displaying them all in one spot. It can also automatically checks for any new patches that update your games' software.

Over the past few months, Microsoft has offered free upgrades to Win7 for consumers who have recently purchased a PC with Vista pre-installed. If you have purchased a new computer after June 26, 2009, you may qualify. Check with your manufacturer for details on their procedure for receiving the free upgrade.

Triangle Laptops, as part of our laptop repair services, will also soon be offering upgrades and installations for Windows 7. More details will be added shortly to our laptop repair page regarding benefits, services, and prices. If you would like to have your laptop or desktop PC upgraded by our skilled professionals, please contact us by email or call toll-free 1-877-456-7869.

Upgrade to the Xbox 360 120GB Hard Drive with Ease!

If you’re one of the early adopters of the Xbox 360 who only have a 20GB hard drive, you’re probably feeling the pressure of running out of hard drive space! There’s so much entertainment out there and within your grasp… Why let a little thing like storage slow you down?

Since the release of the Elite model, an Xbox 360 120GB hard drive upgrade has been available for those who take their gaming seriously. It holds 6x the data than the older 20GB hard drives, with plenty of breathing room for all your downloadables.

In this past year, digital distribution has exploded with a wide variety of downloadable games, movies, and other services. You can buy full movies in the Xbox Live Marketplace and also for rent via the NetFlix service. Most are also available in high-definition, though many standard definition shows will take up over 1GB of your hard drive space.

It's not just the downloadable content that sucks up space on the Xbox 360’s hard drive. Modern video games often require installing most (if not all) the essential game content to the hard drive; some titles taking up a few gigabytes of storage space. Not to mention the expansion packs that may follow.

The Xbox 360 120GB HDD is now available in our store!

The Xbox 360 120GB hard drive will require a data transfer kit (not included) in order to move your data from your old hard drive onto the new one. Even without one, installation of the new 120GB HDD is a snap and it’s still possible to re-download your purchased content from your Xbox Live account.

Digital Transition Complete! Media Center Users Still Waiting...

Did you catch The Simpsons this weekend? If so, that means that the digital conversion went pretty smoothly for you this past Friday. Of course, not everyone was as lucky...

According to the FCC, nearly 700,000 people called the federal hotline last week about the national switch from analog television signal to digital. Almost half of those calls took place on Friday, the day of the conversion deadline. The FCC had enlisted over 4,000 phone operators to handle the workload, making the average wait time under 5min per caller.

Users of Microsoft’s Media Center have been hit hardest by the transition, since the software was not able to reconfigure itself for the change in channel assignments. Microsoft has not yet sent an update to correct the flaw in Media Center, but is expected to as soon as possible. In the meantime, Media Center users who are more tech savvy can make the adjustments manually with these instructions.

E3 Predictions Confirmed!

The big E3 show is just about over and the most exciting announcements have been unleashed upon the drooling geeky masses.

Predictions Confirmed:

Sony PSP Go

We all saw it coming, but that doesn't mean Sony won't go through the formality of properly debuting their new PSP Go device. It's slightly smaller than the PSP-3000 model with no UMD drive. It comes with 16GB on-board storage and designed to take advantage of the PlayStation Network download services.

Many who hoped that the PSP Go would be an upgrade to their older models of PSP are disappointed at the Go's lack of features. Sony asserts that the Go isn't a replacement for the traditional PSP, but a lateral alternative for those who don't already own one and are now considering it. The PSP-3000 will be sold and supported along side the PSP Go, just as Nintendo supports both the DS and DSi side-by-side.

Sony didn't address the "PS3 Slim" rumors, leading many to believe that the "leak" was a hoax. However, now that we've seen the packaging that's been designed for the PSP Go, there's a noticeable congruence between the two. This goes on to support the theory that the PS3 Slim is a reality that will make it's official appearance closer to the holidays.


Nintendo: More of the Same

As expected, it was the same news we receive every year from Nintendo. A new Mario, a new Metroid, and a showcase of upcoming peripherals.

In Nintendo's defense, they may announce the same next-generation ports for old franchises every year, but once those ports are released they're usually very well-received. When Super Mario Galaxy was first announced, most brushed it off as, "Oh, it's just Mario on the Wii." But now it's regarded by many as the best game of that year and possibly the best Mario game to date.


Extras

• Left 4 Dead 2
  
  On the PC front, the most impressive title to look forward to is Left 4 Dead 2, a team-based online survival horror pitting 3 players against the entire zombie apocalypse.



• More Metal Gear!
  
  Hideo Kojima announced two new Metal Gear titles, Metal Gear Solid: Rising for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for the PSP. Kojima's team has also taken on the next Castlevania title, giving everyone hopes that it may yet be possible for a 3D Castlevania to be done well.



• Final Fantasy XIV Announced
  
  While fans wait patiently for Final Fantasy XIII to finish production, Square-Enix went ahead and announced the next installment in the franchise. FFXIV will be an MMORPG; the next-generation sequel to FFXI.



• "Project Trico" Unveiled
  
  The developers behind the amazing titles ICO and Shadow of the Colossus have been secretly working on a new project over the past couple years. Gamers finally got their first official look at the game, titled The Last Guardian. The story of the game centers around a boy and his giant baby gryphon. Not much is known about the gameplay, but so far the cinematic trailers have been rich with eye candy.

E3 2009 Predictions

Next week is the Electronics Entertainment Expo, also known as E3! From June 2 – 4, we’ll be hit with a series of exciting announcements and first looks of upcoming gadgets and software. Just days before the show, several predictions are already spreading like wildfire.

For PCs, the highest expectation is for video game developer, Valve, to finally address Half-Life 2: Episode 3. Half-Life 2: Episode One first hit the scene five years ago with the promise that the game would continue with regular episodic installments. Yet, gamers have been patiently waiting for the next chapter since Half-Life 2: Episode Two was released in 2007. This year’s E3 may hold the answer to their prayers. Maybe with a sequel to Portal...?

Despite its Games For Windows campaign attempting to rekindle the struggling PC game industry, Microsoft isn’t expected to have much to offer this year. Many are eager to see more announcements on the upcoming release of Windows 7, expected to be available this fall.

Most of this year’s focus will be on console and handheld gaming. For Microsoft’s Xbox 360, there’s been much speculation over a motion capture camera that will enable motion-controlled games, similar to those found on the Nintendo Wii.

Speaking of Nintendo, no one knows what to expect from them this year. Last year’s keynote by Nintendo was absolutely horrible, with embarrassing demonstrations by clueless representatives. This year will hopefully be better, with announcements that will truly excite gamers. If nothing else, perhaps a new Legend of Zelda title and a sneak preview of DSi exclusives.

The lion’s share of anticipation goes to Sony, whose been fighting off rumors left and right as to what they have coming later this year. A new model of PSP (named the PSP-Go!) has been all but officially confirmed by Sony, and everyone believes it will be Sony’s big reveal this E3.

This new model is rumored to have no UMD drive, following Sony’s intention to more fully embrace digital distribution through their PlayStation Network. Also rumored that there will be two versions, each with different sizes of internal flash memory to store games and media files. Many further predict that it will have a much larger screen that will slide upward to uncover the devices control buttons.

For the PlayStation 3 console, several rumors are swirling about; the most significant being a possible “slim” redesign and/or price break. Photos were leaked earlier this month, supposedly from a factory in China that is well under way for mass-producing this new model of PS3. Experts predict that if these photos are legit, Sony still won’t unveil the redesign at E3 in the hopes that current supplies of older models of PS3s will dry up from retail shelves first.


That’s all for predictions! Check back next week when we cover which ones came true and what showed up to surprise us!