ERROR: Black screen when using Buttons, Echo, or DisplayDevice dialog boxes [37090]

This article applies to:

E-Prime 3.0

Symptoms

Experiments run on Windows 10 or 11 with a 6th generation Intel processor or newer using Intel graphics with a WDDM 2.7 driver cause E-Prime to improperly display EchoClient, SlideButton, SlideSlider, SlideChoice, and DisplayDevice dialog boxes.

Detail

What is WDDM 2.7?

WDDM stands for Windows Display Driver Model and is the architecture for how video cards drivers run on Microsoft Windows. WDDM 2.7 was introduced with Windows 10 May 2020 Update (Version 2004).

How can I check if this applies to me?

Open dxdiag and check to see if you are running Intel graphics with a WDDM 2.7 driver on the Display tab.

If your Device is listed as Intel, the Version starts with 27.20.100.####, and the build number is less than 100.9667 (i.e. 27.20.100.9664), this applies to you.

You can open dxdiag in E-Studio by going to Help > About E-Studio > Tech Support > DirectX Diagnostics.

For more information on Intel's naming convention see Understanding the Intel Graphics Driver Version Number.

What is the impact on E-Prime?

On E-Objects using EchoClient, only the Echo is shown on a black background. The Echo can linger on to the next E-Object if it contains an Echo or is a Slide containing a SlideButton, SlideSlider, or SlideChoice.

On Slides using EchoClient, SlideButton, SlideSlider, or SlideChoice, only these objects are shown on a black background. The sub-objects can linger on to the next E-Object if it is a Slide containing an Echo, SlideButton, SlideSlider, or SlideChoice.

When using DisplayDevice.MsgBox, DisplayDevice.AnswerBox, DisplayDevice.AskBox, or DisplayDevice.InputBox in Inline script, the dialog box appears black on a black background. The dialog boxes can linger on to the next E-Object if it is a Slide containing an Echo, SlideButton, SlideSlider, or SlideChoice or if it is an Inline that contains a call to one of the dialog boxes.

Workaround

The following workarounds are possible:

Workaround 1:

Install a driver version with a build number greater than or equal to 100.9664.

If Windows Update does not provide a newer driver, one can be found on the manufacturer's website or at Intel (https://downloadcenter.intel.com/).

Workaround 2:

Place a transparent SlideButton that covers the entire area of the Slide on any Slide objects that use a SlideButton or Echo (see E-STUDIO: SlideButton Sub-Object [23598]).

Follow these steps to place the transparent button on a Slide:

1. Place a Button sub-object on the Slide.
2. Open its sub-object property pages.
3. Navigate to the Frame tab
4. Set Height/Width to 100% and X/Y to Center.
5. Navigate to the Theme tab
6. Change BackStyle to Transparent.
7. Navigate to the Text tab
8. Delete the "Button" text.
9. Navigate to the Background tab
10. Delete the Background File.
11. Press OK.
12. With the Button selected, click the z-order dropdown and Back.

NOTE: If using a Button input mask, you may need to adjust the Allowable to filter out the fullscreen button. For more information, see E-STUDIO: Button Device [24411].

Workaround 3:

Install a WDDM 2.6 driver.

Follow these steps to install the driver:

1. Download the WDDM 2.6 ZIP here: https://downloadmirror.intel.com/29530/a08/igfx_win10_100.8141.zip
2. Extract the WDDM 2.6 ZIP and make note of the location.
3. Disconnect from the Internet or disable Windows Updates.
4. Open Device Manager. This can be done in E-Studio by going to Tools > Windows Device Manager.
5. Locate the Intel driver under Display adapters.
6. Right-click and select "Uninstall device".
7. On the Confirm Device Removal dialog box, select the "Delete the driver software for this device" option, and click OK.
8. Restart the machine.
9. Open Device Manager and right-click the "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" under Display Adapters. Then select "Update Driver".
10. Click "Browse my computer for drivers".
11. Select the location you unzipped the WDDM 2.6 files and make sure Include subfolders is checked.
12. Continue with the installation.

NOTE: If the checkbox in Step 7 is not available, you may need to download the Display Driver Uninstaller (https://www.wagnardsoft.com/) to completely remove the currently installed driver. Please review the guide and use this software at your own risk.

NOTE: You must disable Windows Update to prevent it from reinstalling the WDDM 2.7 driver if internet is available.

NOTE: While PST's timing was accurate in-house, timing should be verified by external hardware to ensure millisecond accuracy. For example, users can verify timing by using Chronos and a photosensor to ensure that Stimulus onset and monitor refresh rates are accurate.

Workaround 4:

You may add a NVIDIA or AMD graphics card to your machine as this issue is specific to Intel.

See Also:

ERROR: Buttons, Echo, or DisplayDevice dialog boxes appear black [40646]

ERROR: Multiple monitor experiments run on Windows 10 (2004, 20H2, 21H1, 21H2, 22H2) or Windows 11 freeze or receive a display is too busy error (Error 11102) [35180]

ERROR: Experiments run on Windows 10 (1903 & 1909) freeze or receive a display is too busy error (Error 11102) [30679]

RELEASE INFO: Known Issues in E-Prime 3.0 [27789]

RELEASE INFO: Operating system (Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP) support in E-Prime [18652]