Windows 10: Black screen during oobe after network setup if any software was installed

I've got a small problem and I've search all day and not found anyone describing this particular issue.

I'm creating a VM template to use in our lab based on Windows 10 (same behavior in 1709, 1803 and now 1809).

We have put together an unattend.xml file to use for the basic image sysprep, I'll include the file contents at the end of this post.

Here are the steps I'm using to create the image:

1) Boot the VM with the ISO mounted and let the install happen normally.

2) when the vm reboots and starts the OOBE process, I'll press <CTRL>+<SHIFT>+F3 and drop into audit mode

3) While in audit mode:

a) Change my proxy settings for the system

b) Update NTP server used for time

c) Place my LayoutModification.xml file in the adminstrators profile (I'll post the contents at the end as well)


Here is where things start to go sideways.


If I leave the image alone at this point making no more changes than described above and run sysprep on this basic image, I can clone the VM, start the new VM and the VM will boot all the way into Windows correctly.


If I install any other software into the image at this point and sysprep, the VM will start the OOBE process, get through a few reboots and the Network setup section, then produce a black screen with no cursor. If I reboot the system, the process will start again and I'll see the HI message then the VM boots all the way into the OS and works like expected.


Problem is that I can't have a VM hang like that in the middle of automated deployment for automated tests.

The sysprep works just fine with Windows Server 2016 allowing me to install any software that installs to All Users, but the process won't work for Windows 10 LTSC or earlier.


I'm at the point where I've cloned the image, tried installing all the software that used to work one at a time and every piece of software causes the hang to occur.


Can anyone help me with this one? I've found lots of information about black screens during deployment but they all are for a different reason. I can get OOBE to run when I don't install any other software into the windows image before sysprep, but any software installed causes a black screen hang. I'm not using any deployment services, just wish to have a very simple VM template I can deploy over and over for various testing purposes.


Here is the contents of my unattend.xml and layoutmodification.xml files.

As you can see they are very basic.


unattend.xml:


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
<settings pass="specialize">
<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<RegisteredOrganization>Company</RegisteredOrganization>
<RegisteredOwner>User</RegisteredOwner>
<TimeZone>Mountain Standard Time</TimeZone>
<CopyProfile>true</CopyProfile>
<ProductKey>productkey-removed</ProductKey>
</component>
</settings>
<settings pass="oobeSystem">
<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<OOBE>
<HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
<HideLocalAccountScreen>true</HideLocalAccountScreen>
<HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen>
<HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens>
<HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
<ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC>
</OOBE>
<UserAccounts>
<AdministratorPassword>
<Value>password-removed</Value>
<PlainText>false</PlainText>
</AdministratorPassword>
</UserAccounts>
<AutoLogon>
<Password>
<Value>password-removed</Value>
<PlainText>false</PlainText>
</Password>
<Enabled>true</Enabled>
<LogonCount>5</LogonCount>
<Username>administrator</Username>
</AutoLogon>
</component>
<component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<InputLocale>en-US</InputLocale>
<SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>
<UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
<UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>
<UILanguageFallback>en-US</UILanguageFallback>
</component>
</settings>
<cpifflineImage cpi:source="wim:c:/win10aik/en_windows_10_enterprise_ltsc_2019_x64_dvd_74865958/sources/install.wim#Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>



layoutmodification.xml:


<LayoutModificationTemplate xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout" xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout" Version="1" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification">
<LayoutOptions StartTileGroupCellWidth="6" />
<DefaultLayoutOverride>
<StartLayoutCollection>
<defaultlayout:StartLayout GroupCellWidth="6">
<start:Group Name="">
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="4" Row="0" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Remote Desktop Connection.lnk" />
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="0" Row="4" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows PowerShell\Windows PowerShell.lnk" />
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="0" Row="2" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Snipping Tool.lnk" />
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="4" Row="4" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\Control Panel.lnk" />
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="0" Row="0" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Internet Explorer.lnk" />
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="2" Row="4" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\Command Prompt.lnk" />
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="4" Row="2" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\Event Viewer.lnk" />
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="2" Row="0" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Notepad.lnk" />
<startesktopApplicationTile Size="2x2" Column="2" Row="2" DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\Computer Management.lnk" />
</start:Group>
</defaultlayout:StartLayout>
</StartLayoutCollection>
</DefaultLayoutOverride>
<CustomTaskbarLayoutCollection PinListPlacement="Replace">
<defaultlayout:TaskbarLayout>
<taskbar:TaskbarPinList>
<taskbaresktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\File Explorer.lnk" />
<taskbaresktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\Command Prompt.lnk" />
</taskbar:TaskbarPinList>
</defaultlayout:TaskbarLayout>
</CustomTaskbarLayoutCollection>
</LayoutModificationTemplate>

:)

 

Windows 10 infinite restart black screen


The tutorials provided are just a list of troubleshooting steps. Use only the steps which apply to you.

Since none of the troubleshooting steps here worked, I'd suggest you do a Clean install.

John

 

Black screen while in Windows 10 setup


I was in Windows 10 setup using the Media tool. I have reached the step where it restarted then a big circle came up with three parts under saying like "Copying Files" and other two things. Then, suddenly it restarted and only a black screen was there. No cursor, sounds, screen. Now I am installing Windows 10 again but fearing the same will happen again. This is NOT a black screen at the log screen; I have not even finished the installation yet and get a black screen.

 

PC goes into black screen and froze

Yeah I'm pretty sure that's not a software related issue which is why I was suggesting that you remove the video card to start with since it's such an easy process of elimination step.

I'm not familiar with AMD CPUs, I did see that you had listed in your system specs but I had no idea whether or not it has an iGPU

Is there any possibility of you being able to get your hands on any compatible video card at all?it would be the easiest step to try to troubleshoot or at least one of the easier ones. You should be able to get into the bios without anything but A display cable hooked up to the motherboard