Black screen

Just returned to my laptop computer, opened the lid and nothing but a totally black screen. I pressed various keys, but nothing, so I had to turn it off without shutting down and restart. Any ideas what was wrong or could be developing please.

 

might be as simple as the pc turning the screen off after prolonged periods of being idle, how long was the laptop left for? and what operating system are you using? (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7)

 

Did you switch it back on again? if so what happened?
If not switch it back on and what happens
Have you charged the battery recently?

 

My laptop does that.

In Windows 7 (the current version of Windows) and some other operating systems, they go into "hibernation" mode after being left for a while.

A quick press of the power button should wake it up. By a quick press, I mean just a quick press, without holding the button down. Holding the power button down for 2 seconds or more usually does a forced shutdown, which sounds like what you did. When you switch it back on after a forced shutdown it tells you off but then starts normally anyway.

 

I'd left it for about three minutes and I'm on Windows 7.

 

I'm using it now. It just pointed out I'd switched off without shutting down and did I want to return to what I was viewing. I'm not using battery but on mains.

 

I had only left it for a few minutes. Neither power button or any other would wake it. I didn't hold the button down. When I left it I just closed the lid, my normal procedure and on return press any button.

 

For now, unless it starts doing it all the time, I'd just put it down to one of the quirks of Windows.

My current laptop is so far fairly consistent in its behaviour, but my machine at work is possessed by the devil, and just does its own thing whenever it feels like it.

 

I think the technical term is "A Glitch" (spelt GREMLIN).

I agree, a 1 off glitch happens. Just hope it goes away.

 

Thanks all I'll just have to wait and see what happens, for the time being I'll treat it as gremlins as you said Gcc. I just hope my computer's not sickening for something.