Later versions of Windows including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP and Windows Vista also throw out Black Screen of Death when the operating system, usually due to a missing file fails to boot. If the missing file is critical to the boot process, the user should reinstall Windows. In most of the cases the screen may display the information regarding the missing file.

On the other hand sometimes Black Screen of Death was replaced with Stop errors, that are also known as Blue Screen of Death.

If you select a mode that the monitor cannot display, it may lead you to a black screen or even cause damage to a CRT monitor if it is not protected against excessive scan rate, though a warning may be displayed on the screen. Display driver problems also can cause Black Screen of Death.