Hey can you help me pls??
Of course! I'm here to help. What do you need assistance with?
Well whenever I turn my device on, the whole screen goes black for about 5 seconds then it shows my background screen. Is it hacked?
What you're describing does not necessarily indicate that your device has been hacked. It's not uncommon for screens to go black temporarily as part of the normal boot-up process when a device is turned on. During this time, the device is initializing hardware and loading the operating system. If the black screen persists for only a short period of time, such as the 5 seconds you mentioned, and then proceeds to load the operating system and functions normally, it's likely just part of the normal startup process.
However, if you're experiencing additional symptoms that are causing concern, such as unusual behavior, unexpected pop-ups, significantly slower performance, or if the black screen occurrences have started suddenly without any changes or updates to your system, then some troubleshooting may be in order.
Here's what you can do to investigate further:
1. **Update your system**: Ensure that your operating system and all software (including security software) are up to date.
2. **Perform a virus scan**: Use your security software to run a full system scan. This will check for any malware or viruses that could be causing issues with your device.
3. **Check startup programs**: Too many programs starting up with your computer can slow down the boot process. You can use system tools like Task Manager on Windows (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) or System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items on macOS to manage startup programs.
4. **Hardware diagnostics**: If you suspect a hardware problem (like issues with your hard drive or graphics card), you might want to run hardware diagnostics. Many manufacturers provide built-in tools for this purpose.
5. **Review system logs**: System logs can sometimes provide clues to what's happening during boot-up. On Windows, you can use Event Viewer, and on macOS, you can use Console to review these logs.
6. **Seek professional advice**: If you're still unsure or uncomfortable with the steps above, consider seeking professional technical support.
Remember, if your device has been hacked, you would likely notice more than just a brief black screen—you might see strange messages, have unexplained data loss, or notice unknown programs being installed or running. Keep an eye out for such behaviors and take precautions by regularly backing up your data and using strong passwords.
It's not normal. Whever I turn it on it goes black. And sometimes when I am using it it'll randomly go for no reason.
If your device screen is going black intermittently while you are using it, as well as during startup, this could be a sign of a hardware issue, a software problem, or possibly a loose connection rather than hacking. Here are some steps to troubleshoot the issue:
1. **Check for Overheating**: Make sure that your device is not overheating. Overheating can cause the device to shut off or the screen to go black to prevent damage.
2. **Hardware Connections**: If you're using a desktop with a separate monitor, check the physical connections between your monitor and computer. Make sure the cable is firmly connected and that there are no damaged pins. If it's a laptop, a loose display cable inside the laptop could be the issue, but you usually need professional service to fix that.
3. **Update Drivers**: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause display issues. Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card.
4. **Check Power Management Settings**: On a laptop, power settings may cause the screen to go black to save energy. Check these settings to ensure they aren't set too aggressively.
5. **Test with an External Monitor**: If you have an external monitor handy, try connecting it to your device. If the external monitor doesn't go black, the issue might be with your device's screen.
6. **Boot into Safe Mode**:
- On Windows, booting into Safe Mode can help determine if the issue is caused by a software or driver conflict.
- On macOS, you can boot into Safe Mode by holding the Shift key during startup. If the issue doesn't occur in Safe Mode, it's likely a software issue.
7. **Check for Software Issues**: Sometimes, software or apps running in the background can cause the screen to go black. Try closing programs one by one to see if the issue stops.
8. **System Updates**: Ensure your operating system is up to date with all the latest updates and patches.
9. **Run Diagnostics**: Some devices have built-in diagnostic tools that you can run to check for hardware issues. Consult your device’s manual or manufacturer's website for instructions on how to run these.
10. **Reset or Reinstall the OS**: As a last resort, backing up your data and performing a factory reset or fresh installation of your operating system might help if the cause is software-related.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it would be advisable to have a professional technician look at the device. Screen issues can sometimes be indicative of a failing graphics card, a problem with the screen itself, or another hardware fault that might require repair or replacement.
How do I scan it to check for a virus
To scan your computer for viruses, you'll need to use antivirus software. If you do not already have antivirus software installed, there are several reputable options available, including free ones like Avast, AVG, or Bitdefender, or paid solutions like Norton, McAfee, or Kaspersky.
Here's a general guide on how to perform a virus scan on your computer:
### For Windows:
1. **Using Windows Security (Windows 10 / 11):**
- Click on the Start Menu and go to 'Settings' > 'Update & Security' > 'Windows Security'.
- Click on 'Virus & threat protection'.
- Under 'Current threats', select 'Quick scan' to run a basic scan. If you want to run a more thorough scan, click on 'Scan options' and then select 'Full scan'.
2. **Using Third-party Antivirus Software:**
- Open the antivirus software you have installed.
- Look for an option that says something like "Scan," "Full Scan," "Deep Scan," or "Custom Scan."
- Follow the prompts to start the scan. A full scan might take a while, sometimes over an hour depending on the size of your hard drive and the speed of your computer.
### For macOS:
1. **Using Third-party Antivirus Software:**
- macOS doesn’t have a built-in antivirus scanner like Windows, so you’ll need to download a third-party app.
- Open the antivirus application you have installed.
- Look for a button or option to start a new scan. You may see options for a "Full Scan" or a "Quick Scan."
- Select 'Full Scan' if it's your first scan or if you suspect an infection. A quick scan is usually faster but less thorough.
- Start the scan and wait for it to complete.
Regardless of your operating system, once you start the scan, your antivirus program will check through all your files to look for known viruses and malware. If any threats are found, the program will typically alert you and offer options on how to deal with them, such as cleaning, quarantining, or deleting the infected files.
Make sure you keep your antivirus software updated for the best protection, as new viruses and malware are developed all the time and antivirus programs are regularly updated with the latest definitions.
If your antivirus software does find and remove malware but you still experience the black screen issues, then the cause is likely not due to a virus, and you may need to investigate further or seek professional technical support.
I have a Lenovo tablet.
Thank you for specifying that you are using a Lenovo tablet. The process to run a virus scan on an Android tablet, such as a Lenovo, is a bit different from doing so on a PC or Mac. Here's how you can scan your Android tablet for malware:
1. **Use Google Play Protect**:
- Google Play Protect is built into the Google Play Store app and it scans your device for harmful behavior.
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap on the menu (three lines in the top-left corner).
- Select 'Play Protect'.
- Tap on 'Scan' to start scanning your device for harmful apps.
2. **Using Third-party Antivirus Software**:
- If you'd like to use an additional layer of protection, you can download an antivirus app from the Google Play Store.
- Some popular antivirus apps for Android include Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, and Norton.
- After installing the antivirus app, open it and follow the app's instructions to run a full scan of your tablet.
Please note that you should only install antivirus apps from reputable developers and that are offered through the Google Play Store. Downloading apps from unknown sources can put your device at risk of becoming infected with malware.
While malware on Android devices is less common than on Windows computers, it can still happen, especially if you've installed apps from outside the Google Play Store or clicked on suspicious links in emails or websites.
If you have not installed any apps outside of the Google Play Store and your tablet is still exhibiting strange behavior, it's worthwhile to check for updates and consider whether there might be a hardware issue, as previously mentioned in the troubleshooting steps.