black screen on startup

So for a while now, my laptop has been giving me a black screen after logging in whenever I shut down or restart my computer. I usually end up having to wait ~20 minutes for everything to start working. I can open the task manager, however, and startup programs will sometimes display messages (norton might tell me it's starting a backup or something). Other than that, though, it's a black screen; no background, gadgets, taskbar, etc. This only happens on my normal account, though; the guest account works just fine right after logging in. I'd like to be able to solve this, as I can't restart without an annoying wait time. Any ideas? My specs are:

Acer Aspire 7740G
Intel Core i5 430M
4GB 1033 DDR3 RAM
Window 7 Premium

 

well, what do you have as autostart for your computer and your user name?

 

Check if your windows is genuine in My Computer properties. Just do it, don't tell me that it must be genuine because I know it must. Check it.

 

Both startup folders, guest account and my account, are empty. For the whole system, there are a lot of startup programs. What should I be looking for?

It is.

 

Lucas, What I would look for is any program that is not absolutely needed. this could be a software conflict, can you post a screen shot of msconfig - start up tab (if possible expand the command area so the full paths can be seen).

 

Yeah, I've never actually checked the startup tab there, it's pretty cluttered. I'm sure there's plenty I can just get rid of for sake of speed, but what could be causing the problem? Here it is:

I had to do a little photoshopping to get it all on there, since that window doesn't resize. I got all but two on there, I had to omit Steam and Skype. I'm sure those aren't the problem, though.

 

Nice work getting that all on one screen. Agree, skype and Steam are unlikely to be the root cause of the black screen.
I do not see an obvious entry that is causing the issue, I would uncheck any/all of the following: Adobe apps, itunes, quick time, egisupdate.exe,

I do not see an entry for an anti virus program, just out of curiosity are you using Norton/Symantec?

Last resort you may need to create a new user account and use it instead of the normal account U use now.

 

Yes, I do use Norton. I will try unchecking the ones you mentioned, restart, and post the results. If there's anything, I should check/do during the black screen, now would be the time to tell me, in case it still gives me the black screen.

 

If the issue persists, does you machine have a key combo that turns off the display or toggles between an external monitor and the internal display? If so try the key combo for either function (my ASUS has both)while the black screen is on. Hope this helps

 

Yes it does, but it can't be that, since the task manager still comes up.

 

fire up a copy of ccleaner and go to tools|startup. In the lower right corner there is a button "save to text file". That will save the whole user program startup list from user startup folders as well as hkcu and hklm sources.

 

He is not talking about a blue BSOD, but BLACK screen...