Anyone Know How To Fix Computer Problems?

m0nst3r · #1 08-29-2009, 03:49 PM

Story:

I was chillin' in my living room surfing the 'net, and I accidently hit the off button on my power strip with my foot. This ended up jacking up my computer because instead of loading up windows, it decided to go to a black screen and throw out a bunch of codes at me. In an effort to fix the problem, I formatted the hard drive and reinstalled Windows Vista.

My computer works perfectly fine now, but about 5 mins after windows is loaded, my monitor likes to turn off and display "no signal." If I click the mouse, hit a key on the keyboard, or turn the monitor on and off, the signal still doesn't come back. The only time it comes back is when I restart the computer. I can still hear music and mouse clicks out of the speakers, so I know my computer is still working. Since my monitor connects to my computer through a VGA to DVI-A adapter, I thought it might be the connection, so I made sure everything was connected properly. Unfortunately, the monitor still turns off. Somehow the monitor stayed on long enough for me to change the display settings to "never turn off," but it still turns off. I also changed the screen saver settings so that it didn't come on for a long time, but the monitor still turns off.

I figured something might be wrong with my monitor or the cable, but I tested them out on another computer, and everything is working perfectly fine. I can't seem to find anything online that resembles what's going on here, so I turn to you guys. Any ideas what's going on or other things I should try? I could really use some help here.

vene-nemesis · #2 08-29-2009, 03:55 PM

open the case take the graphics card off and rub a pencil eraser on the GC plug both sides then blow the eraser leftovers replug the GC and tell us if it worked.

rcarraher · #3 08-29-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0nst3r

Story:

I was chillin' in my living room surfing the 'net, and I accidently hit the off button on my power strip with my foot. This ended up jacking up my computer because instead of loading up windows, it decided to go to a black screen and throw out a bunch of codes at me. In an effort to fix the problem, I formatted the hard drive and reinstalled Windows Vista.

My computer works perfectly fine now, but about 5 mins after windows is loaded, my monitor likes to turn off and display "no signal." If I click the mouse, hit a key on the keyboard, or turn the monitor on and off, the signal still doesn't come back. The only time it comes back is when I restart the computer. I can still hear music and mouse clicks out of the speakers, so I know my computer is still working. Since my monitor connects to my computer through a VGA to DVI-A adapter, I thought it might be the connection, so I made sure everything was connected properly. Unfortunately, the monitor still turns off. Somehow the monitor stayed on long enough for me to change the display settings to "never turn off," but it still turns off. I also changed the screen saver settings so that it didn't come on for a long time, but the monitor still turns off.

I figured something might be wrong with my monitor or the cable, but I tested them out on another computer, and everything is working perfectly fine. I can't seem to find anything online that resembles what's going on here, so I turn to you guys. Any ideas what's going on or other things I should try? I could really use some help here.

You didn't say whether you are running XP or Vista, but I'll assume its XP. Get into the Control Panel, go down to Power Settings, and turn off Hibernate.

If this is what its doing, you should also be able to :wake it up" my using a combination of key strokes. The most common are Function F4 (at the same time) Some other manufacture use just the Function key.

If this doesn't work, PM me and I'll give you my e-mail and we'll troubleshoot it.

I do, or did this for a living for 30 plus years.

m0nst3r · #4 08-29-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

open the case take the graphics card off and rub a pencil eraser on the GC plug both sides then blow the eraser leftovers replug the GC and tell us if it worked.

That sounds a little odd. What does that do exactly?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcarraher

You didn't say whether you are running XP or Vista, but I'll assume its XP. Get into the Control Panel, go down to Power Settings, and turn off Hibernate.

If this is what its doing, you should also be able to :wake it up" my using a combination of key strokes. The most common are Function F4 (at the same time) Some other manufacture use just the Function key.

If this doesn't work, PM me and I'll give you my e-mail and we'll troubleshoot it.

I do, or did this for a living for 30 plus years.

I am running Vista. I won't be able to try this out until tomorrow, but if it doesn't work, you'll definitely be hearing from me.

Thanks guys.

vene-nemesis · #5 08-30-2009, 03:54 AM

That cleans the plug of the GC and sice you already have the case open you should do the same with the ram dimms, I know it sounds stupid rather than odd but I was very suprised when i first heard about this and after trying it I could not believe it worked.

vene-nemesis · #6 08-30-2009, 03:56 AM

BTW before plugging everything back you could also use a blow gun or those air spray cans to clean the sockets of said components.

To me that sounds like a faulty connectin rather than a software problem.

m0nst3r · #7 08-31-2009, 12:50 PM

At the risk of jinxing it, I think the problem is solved. I took out the video card and the fan on the video card was raped by dust bunnies. I'm thinking that the card kept overheating and turning off my monitor. Is that plausible?

vene-nemesis · #8 08-31-2009, 12:56 PM

My name is Mudd · #9 08-31-2009, 01:20 PM

It's a little late to mention this now, but did you ground yourself somehow before pulling the video card out? Using a ground strap, or at least touching the power supply case before touching anything else in the case, is HIGHLY recommended to help prevent frying (at least part of) the system due to static-electric discharge, the kind you get when walking across carpeting in your socks and then touch the doorknob (for example).

Phalex · #10 08-31-2009, 01:32 PM

vene-nemesis · #11 08-31-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

It's a little late to mention this now, but did you ground yourself somehow before pulling the video card out? Using a ground strap, or at least touching the power supply case before touching anything else in the case, is HIGHLY recommended to help prevent frying (at least part of) the system due to static-electric discharge, the kind you get when walking across carpeting in your socks and then touch the doorknob (for example).

Meh ive been asembling and repairing computers since 12 without it, im yet to fry any... However this is something i do recomend to ppl who work on places with AC since the static charge of the rooms seems to increase A LOT when ACs are on.

Balog · #12 08-31-2009, 01:49 PM

Thunderscreech · #13 08-31-2009, 02:02 PM

Delete System3....oh never mind, I don't want a b&

thefruitfarmer · #14 08-31-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

Meh ive been asembling and repairing computers since 12 without it, im yet to fry any... However this is something i do recomend to ppl who work on places with AC since the static charge of the rooms seems to increase A LOT when ACs are on.

That could be something to do with ions.

I was talking to someone at work who builds computers as a hobby business and she seemed to think that some people generate more static than others. She tends to select components whilst her partner actually assembles the machines, because she seems to carry more static than him, for some reason.

I have put together several PC's over the years. I have never fried any parts and I am forever forgetting to ground myself.

Thunderscreech · #15 08-31-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

Meh ive been asembling and repairing computers since 12 without it, im yet to fry any... However this is something i do recomend to ppl who work on places with AC since the static charge of the rooms seems to increase A LOT when ACs are on.

The static increases because of the air moving through the ducts and generating a charge, plus the air is dryer (hence why you get zapped by static so badly in the winter). Static likes dry air.

m0nst3r · #16 08-31-2009, 03:57 PM

I spoke too soon. It did it again, but this time it took a lot longer. I'm definitely thinking there is some kind of heating issue. I just don't understand because it never did this before.

Fontaine · #17 08-31-2009, 04:02 PM

does the computer restart or turn off, or is it just the monitor that goes out?

Hawaii Islander · #18 08-31-2009, 04:11 PM

Some PC's have a problem if the onboard graphics is active at the same time as a graphics card. Same with onboard audio and a seperate audio card. You may have to disable the onboard video. The onboard graphics may have been turned on when you reloaded Vista. It's worth checking.

SpamBot · #19 08-31-2009, 04:13 PM

Sounds like a hardware issue, not a software issue. But you knew that.
Check the connections of the plugs in both the computer and monitor. Plugs can go bad.
I've never heard of this happening for computers, but it might be something to try

Hawaii Islander · #20 08-31-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpamBot

Sounds like a hardware issue, not a software issue. But you knew that.
Check the connections of the plugs in both the computer and monitor. Plugs can go bad.
I've never heard of this happening for computers, but it might be something to try

Not necessarily in this case. He reloaded Vista from scratch BEFORE the latest video problem started.