Hotfix: Computers that are running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 stop responding at a black screen if a screen saver is enabled

Microsoft has released a new hotfix that fixes a problem with Windows staying at a black screen when coming from a screen saver and a sleep option. This appears to be that the computer just doesn’t wake up after going to sleep. Make sure you apply this patch if you suffer from the issue.

Consider the following scenarios:

Scenario one

• On a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you enable a screen saver.
• You enable the On resume, display logon screen option for the screen saver.
• In Power Options, you set the Turn off the display option and the Put the computer to sleep option to the same length of time. Additionally, the length of time that you set is longer than the time that you set for the screen saver to trigger.
• The time for the Turn off the display value elapses and the display is turned off automatically.

Scenario two

• On a portable computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you enable a screen saver.
• You enable the On resume, display logon screen option for the screen saver.
• After the screen saver starts, you close the lid of the portable computer.

In both scenarios, the computer is still running. However, you cannot turn on the display by using the keyboard or the mouse. You may be unable to turn on the display until you force the computer to restart.

Note When you set the Turn off the display option to less than 10 minutes, the Turn off the display option automatically changes to the value of the Put the computer to sleep option.

Download Microsoft Hotfix: Article Page 976427