OT - computer problem

[leafer]

For the past couple of days I've been getting a blank screen after I turned on my computer even though I could hear the power supply and CPU fan working. Since the screen is black (as if monitor is off), I never knew knew if I was at the desktop or the computer netherworld. I couldn't hear the Windows start-up jingle but the speaker might have been off, but I doubt that.

 

Sometimes I got loud beep from hitting the Esc key. Hitting some other keys produced nothing. However, the last two times I made sure the speakers were on (think they were on all along) and waited until I was absolutely certain I was at the log in screen before I hit enter and after a moment, I heard the jingle so I knew I was at the desktop. But the screen was still blank, so I banged the monitor; it worked and the monitor came on. However, the desktop background color changed to default blue instead of the black I had set. This happens twice in a roll; the background color resetting to default blue after the monitor came back on. It might be something or it might not. Just thought I should add that bit of info.

 

By the way, I checked the monitor cable at the back of the video card and it was secured. I also reseated the video card and ram; they were on properly to begin with. I'm almost 100% positive it's the monitor but what's with the beep when I hit the Esc key and the fact that I don't think it booted to desktop at all on most occasions?

 

Help guys...

[thereminqblank]

Try a different monitor cable if possible. Or if you've got two output ports on the video card, try plugging the cable into the other.

[brewber19]

I had the same issue and, for me, it was the mobo itself was failing. I tried a few things, cos I have the occasional spare lying around, and nothing worked so in the end I concluded it was my mobo.

 

I tried changing monitor, changing VGA/DVI lead, changing the gfx card (and slot) and replacing the CMOS battery but nope, the mobo itself had decided to do everything except the VGA.

 

Before you jump to that conclusion though, try as follows:

 

(1) Try another VGA/DVI cable

(2) Try another monitor/any other screen that accepts a VGA type connection just to see if you get any video type image from the PC (like the BIOS)

(3) Try another GFX card, or the GFX card in another slot

(4) Replace the CMOS battery (should be cheap, <4 stirling...unless you buy from PC World...other Brits will know what I mean when I say PC World, Dixons and Currys are absolute thieving bandits when it comes to things like that).

(5) Cry and resign yourself to it likely being a mobo issue.

 

Also, have you tried hitting DEL on bootup to get in the BIOS at all? Do you even see the BIOS screen?

[leafer]

I mentioned that I wasn't sure if the comp even boot through the sequence in my first post but I take that back. As of last night, I am possitive the comp is able to complete the booting process. The Windows start-up jingle is the only clue it completed the booting process. If I hit the reset button, the comp will boot again without any problem. Just to be sure, I tried the reset button about 5-6 times last night and each time it does complete the cycle but won't give me the image on the monitor.

 

So the question is, if the culprit is the graphics card, the computer would have refused to boot at all, correct? Can we rule the graphics card out at this point? My mobo has one PCI Express slot btw, and the card is GF 7600 gs.

 

Again, I'm getting black screen from start booting to desktop, so no, the BIOS screen doesn't show up. Banging on the monitor is not the answer either. It was probably a fluke that one time but banging the hell of it didn't work for me last night. The screen, it seems, decides to come on when it feels like it. Absolutely nothing to do with anything I did. The thing is, once it comes on, it stays on so I'm guessing it's not the monitor.

 

The interesting thing is, once I get the image on the monitor like now, it stays! I have been experimented with restarting by going through the Start/Shut Down menu and the image remains on the screen no matter how many times I restarted. Weird. I haven't tried turning the monitor off then on in fear of losing the image again, but I'll try that after I post this.

 

I'm using a 5-6 year old Samsung SyncMaster 793df so it might be the monitor. The VGA cable on the monitor end is non-detachable. There really is no other computer for me to try different parts.

 

Oh! Is there anything I should check for in the BIOS setup?

 

 

Swapping parts is not an option; I don't know anyone with a computer. I'll try replacing the CMOS battery.

[leafer]

Oh crap!

 

I just tried turning the monitor off then back on and it did it again! That black screen! For some reason, the image comes back on after about five seconds. Is this the warning sign that the monitor is dying? Should I bother with the CMOS battery?

[leafer]

Update:

 

Been working on the computer for several hours and about five minutes ago, the screen turned soft pink for about three second then it went back to normal. I could still see what I was doing when it dimmed to pinkish color, though.

 

Hmm... definitely monitor?

[G3]

all indications so far point to the monitor itself.

the intermittent behavior sounds like a bad or cold solder joint on a pcb or similar in the monitor, eg: a dead or failing component.

funnily enough a sharp whack on the side can actually help :) temporarily.

 

best thing is borrow a mates monitor or pick up a small second hander and use that for a period of time to determine for sure if its the monitor.

 

i agree with your findings so far, seems to be booting fine and videocard issues usually do give some sort of beep warning.

 

can you connect the pc vga output to your tv, or use s-video perhaps.

its just a process of elimination but you need spares to swap and try.

at least another screen obviously.

 

u mention its a non removable lead from the monitor end so confirm its not the monitor to pc connection, worth just giving it a few plug in and outs to ensure you don't have a poor connection at the videocard output.

 

thats all i got

good luck :thumbup:

[leafer]

I'm 100% certain it's the monitor at this point. The monitor dimmed out to that pink/purple-ish color a few times since my last post. Banging it on the side brought the normal brightness back the first time but since then I had a few more that didn't respond to whacking. heh

 

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help. Mod can delete this thread if you want to.

 

peace

 

Edit:

 

ggg87,

 

I just read your response and thanks for the advice. I unplugged the cable at the back of vid card a few times and nothing. It was one of the first things that I tried. The connection is solid at the card output terminal. I don't have a tv at the moment. lol I'm pretty sure it's the monitor at this point.

 

I wonder if five years is the normal life expectancy for monitors. Perhaps I shouldn't have bought a Samsung.

[VMFA-Blaze]

I'm 100% certain it's the monitor at this point. The monitor dimmed out to that pink/purple-ish color a few times since my last post. Banging it on the side brought the normal brightness back the first time but since then I had a few more that didn't respond to whacking. heh

 

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help. Mod can delete this thread if you want to.

 

peace

 

Edit:

 

ggg87,

 

I just read your response and thanks for the advice. I unplugged the cable at the back of vid card a few times and nothing. It was one of the first things that I tried. The connection is solid at the card output terminal. I don't have a tv at the moment. lol I'm pretty sure it's the monitor at this point.

 

I wonder if five years is the normal life expectancy for monitors. Perhaps I shouldn't have bought a Samsung.

 

No man I have a Samsung 32" LCD TV/monitor that is really a nice addition to my gaming rig, home-theatre setup ...And incidental Sony and Samsung have combined some of their manufacturing facilities here in the states..

 

You didn't buy that monitor as new or did you? Anyway I think that its probably about time to replace it for something more advanced.

 

Oh, and buy the way my old Sony CRT that I'm using with my older AMD system is still going strong.. I bought that new in 2001. Now that's excellent service..

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[viper3two]

Blaze

Sorry to be OT of this OT subject lol, but saw you had a 32" samsung. I have a 19" HP that is being pushed by an evga 8800GTS....I am considering going with a bigger monitor in the future sometime. A friend of mine said that a 32" lcd tv will work just fine but I did some looking at one, a vizio and it said that I could just get 1280x900 or something like that, and I run at 1280x1024 right now on all my sims.....does that samsung support 12x10? and what is the model if you dont mind me asking? thanks!

[VMFA-Blaze]

Hi Viper:

Regarding your question concerning my TV/Monitor, the model is the LN-S3251D..

Its actually about 2 years old and at that time I purchased it for $1400.00.. This was an outstanding bargain as the same model was going for $1900.00 at Best Buy ... This model of course doesnt have the current features like higher resolution or wide screen, but HD channels are superb and the desk top in the computer mode is very sharp and clear,the native resolution in computer mode is 1360x768...

Also the HD resolution is 1024i, while the newer modles are 1024p..

One thing you will need to do if your going with a TV/Monitor is to make sure that you have the right set connections.. Make sure that you have VGA plug on the back of the set.. If its HDMI you'll have problems getting the picture to align properly in the computer mode.. DVI is good, but I don't think that this connection is avaialble on a TV/Monitor, its most likely used with a computer monitor only ...

There's also other things that Samsung sets do well at, one of which is that they have an audio connection that you can plug your PC sound card into. This allows you to connect a stereo receiver to the TV/ Monitor... I have my Sony 7.1 sound system connected and its really awesome while watching for example a Blue Ray or HD DVD movie on the computer DVD player. And most importantly game sound is extremely life like...:lol:

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[viper3two]

Thank you Blaze.....gonna check that out, might be in my future one day I hope!