Computer problem

[thepizzadude 26]

Start by doing one of these 2 things.

1. Plug the monitor into your notebook and see if it messes up there, if it does its the monitor OR 2. Get your neighbors monitor and plug into your computer if it works its your monitor.

Edited August 16, 2009 by thepizzadude

[David-and-Mae 15]

Thanks all for the replies... Unfortunately, even if I want to poke around and restore everything to its original settings before the problem started, the monitor doesn't stay long enough to see what's going on. Like I said, it only comes on in a blink of an eye then black out (the power button's on so I know it's not in a sleep mode). Our monitor is Hp vs17 LCD monitor and it's only 3 years old (the entire desktop) and we seldom use it. When you turn the computer on, it boots normally except the monitor only stays on for a second then I have to turn the monitor off then on again just to see what's going on. No, it doesn't have a beeping sound like a computer would do if the videocard is failing. Most of our neighbors are using laptops so there's no way we can plug our monitor to theirs. I was thinking of plugging the monitor in this notebook but from what I've read somewhere, my notebook has to have 2 video card ports (???).

Anyway, we'll see what the computer tech would say. It's driving my husband crazy when something's not working around the house.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

did you try going into safe mode?

[Muhammad n Maryam 1]

Just last week , I also had almost the same problem as you. And was so worried of loseing all my documents !! It turned out to be my video card. Had it back and runing the next day. Hopefully ur problem is simple !

Good luck

[David-and-Mae 15]

did you try going into safe mode?

Yes I did... same thing, monitor came on for a second, went black like it's off, had to turn it on and off just to see what's happening. It baffles me that when I turn the tower on, everything seems doing ok, loading and all that, except as soon as I turn the computer on, the monitor just comes on for a second. It's running right now except you cannot see anything unless you play with the monitor's power button. I also checked the BIOS (pretty frustrating since I can only see things by turning the monitor on and off) and everything seems fine, no changes whatsoever. And that box showing the monitor status is still there and it says it's active and with proper setting.

Just last week , I also had almost the same problem as you. And was so worried of loseing all my documents !! It turned out to be my video card. Had it back and runing the next day. Hopefully ur problem is simple !

Good luck

That's my suspicion too... the videocard's failing.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Can you see if the fan is turning on the vid card?

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Can you see if the fan is turning on the vid card?

not all video cards have fans.

[David-and-Mae 15]

Can you see if the fan is turning on the vid card?

I opened the CPU and both two fans are working. Just curious though... does one of the fans really make a loud noise when you turn the tower on? It's just a quick distinct noise then everything's quite except a sound that tells you that windows' being loaded.

Edited August 16, 2009 by David-and-Mae

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Can you see if the fan is turning on the vid card?

I opened the CPU and both two fans are working. Just curious though... does one of the fans really make a loud noise when you turn the tower on? It's just a quick distinct noise then everything's quite except a sound that tells you that windows' being loaded.

The CPU fan generally spins up really fast, then settles down. But if it's noisy, it may need some attention.

[Jauque 1]

Whenever I have an issue with my computer I open it up and clean it, especially the area's around the fans and the fans themselves, it's amazing how much dust you'll find on the blades. Nine times out of 10 that solves my problems. Some computers when they are overheaing will shut down certain parts (usually all parts however) as a means of staying cool. The fact that your fan is making noise when it first starts is a good indicator that it needs some TLC.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Can you see if the fan is turning on the vid card?

I opened the CPU and both two fans are working. Just curious though... does one of the fans really make a loud noise when you turn the tower on? It's just a quick distinct noise then everything's quite except a sound that tells you that windows' being loaded.

The CPU fan generally spins up really fast, then settles down. But if it's noisy, it may need some attention.

a can of blonde brains (compressed air) should help get rid of the dust bunnies.

[yogib37 3]

I am begining to think it is the video card. Is the video card on the mother board or do you have a card in a slot?

[David-and-Mae 15]

I am begining to think it is the video card. Is the video card on the mother board or do you have a card in a slot?

Everything's built in so I guess it's all part of the mother board. I so like the old towers where you can remove the cards from the slots, clean it then put it back in. I guess I have tried everything that you guys suggested here and none worked so I'm giving up. I'll just wait for the tech to check it this weekend and see what he thinks. Then I'll post an update whether it's the monitor or video card... it could also be my cat's been playing with the cables while we were gone for two weeks.

[NickD 202]

You guys are thinking about a hundred years ago, more likely like ten when a monitor had a real power switch on it. Everything today is software controlled and that includes the monitor.

Storing data on your computer, especially on the root drive is crazy, if Windows becomes corrupted, you are as good as dead, you have to make backups. Is tantamount to leaving bag full of money on the hood of your car and expecting it to be there when you get back. You have to have at least two computers, with a good computer, can connect the hard drive to a working computer and providing the hard drive is still good, can have a bad motor, IC or anything to prevent it from working, you can retrieve your data. If not, you can hope an pray by having an identical hard drive, can switch the electronics and pray it works. This is in lieu of doing what you should have done in the first place, make backups. Our immigration, IRS, and other important data is not only on four different computers, but also burnt to a couple CD's. With a motor failure, far more complicated to remove the disks from a defective hard drive and install it on an identical good hard drive. Not exactly a DIY project as you need special jigs to hole the many heads in place. Outfits will do this for you, but be prepared to pay a very stiff fee.

Had a computer just like yours where the monitor would switch on, kid was downloading MP3's off the net loaded with viruses, first told him, this is illegal, FBI is watching you, second, was able to retrieve his important data, myspace is yet another site where you are opened to be shot at. Then I reformated his drive, and reinstalled Windows after checking his drive out for any errors, yes there is software for that. All was okay again, installed a backup drive and informed him to store his data their.

Thinking way back, like over twenty years, only found one video card that was actually bad, did find many broken pins in monitor connectors, care must be used in installing them straight in. What does PC stand for? Poor connectors is one of them, all use poorly plated edge connectors that turn a light brownish color and can be cleaned with a #2 pencil eraser head, but not too firm, you will remove the rest of the plating. This especially applies to the RAM. But the biggest problem is software. Not only a problem with the zillions of viruses on the net, but mostly they become obsolete after a couple of years, tossed many a good computer for this reason alone.

[David-and-Mae 15]

OK, here's the update about our computer problem. After having a professional technician checked on it last weekend, we found out that it was indeed the monitor that's causing the problems. So we got a new one yesterday and everything's working fine again. We also bought another 3-year extended warranty to it in case it will break down on us after a year or two.

Thanks guys for helping!