Computer screen blanks out

crikker · #1 06-23-2011, 12:43 PM

Anyone have this happen to them? It'll blank out for a second and come right back on. It won't lose the internet connection or whatever I'm typing. It happens in Word a lot when typing. Some web sites seem to be worse than others. Could it be the video card and if so, can they be troubleshot somehow? Thought it was the monitor but installed a replacement and still have the problem.

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 06-23-2011, 12:50 PM

I don't have that happening, but occasionally I'll close my computer and when I open it up my screen is very, very dark and hard to see. I'm not sure why it happens.

elgecko · #3 06-23-2011, 12:55 PM

Desktop? Could be a bad/loose cable...or ghosts!

bassbully · #4 06-23-2011, 01:09 PM

I used to have that happen a few years ago to my home PC. I had to turn it off and on to get it to stop. It turned out I needed a new monitor.

Octoplus · #5 06-23-2011, 01:11 PM

In my professional experience, this has usually been due to:

1) bad graphics card
2) bad VGA/DVI cable
3) bad monitor
4) bad graphics adapter drivers
5) bad power cable

First thing I'd do is connect the monitor to another machine to see if the problem still occurs. If it does, then you can probably rule out #1, #4.

Swap out the VGA/DVI cable with a known working one. If the problem still occurs, rule out #2.

Swap out the power cable. Problem still? Rule out #5

At this point, it's time to track down the make & model of your graphics card hardware. Go to manufacturer's website and download & install the most up-to-date drivers for your platform. Problem still occurring from there? Start shopping around for another monitor.

If there's another monitor in your home that is known working and it's not too much of a pain, you can also try connecting it to your PC. If the problem occurs with that one too, it's most likely #1,2,4 or 5.

-Tom

Octoplus · #6 06-23-2011, 01:16 PM

Now that I'm seeing that you DID install a new monitor, then I'd first try swapping out the power and VGA/DVI cables (if you used the same ones as before), then try reinstalling new drivers.

But I'd bet dollars to donuts that it's the graphics adapter.

-Tom

crikker · #7 06-24-2011, 05:25 AM

Thanks Octoplus.