Ok, so my desktop has been acting a bit strange lately. It has been randomly losing video signal for the past few weeks. Sometimes immediately when I boot up, it starts loading, goes past the BIOS, etc... then the signal just dies and the monitors go into No-Signal mode... yet the Computer is still running... so can't be a Power Supply issue I wouldn't think. Its not the monitor, or the video card (I bought a new one to see if that would solve the problem and no luck)... I've tried cleaning off the mobo, making sure the fans are all working, resetting the RAM, etc... is my mobo biting the dust here? Please advise.
Did you try a different monitor or just a new video card? The reason I ask is I had something very similar happen to me with a CRT monitor except sometimes I would get no BIOS screen at all but the computer was on and running. I tried another CRT and LCD and they both worked fine.
It is most certainly not a simple connection issue or a monitor issue. I've ran my 19" almost brand new Samsung off the DVI slot simultenously while running an old 15" LCD off the VGA and the signal cuts off both of the them at the same time. Even with a Brand New Video Card.
It can definitely still be a power supply issue moes. Power supplies can cause any and all errors with bootups sometimes lol. How old would you say the power supply is?
This. If the pins on your cables look ok, I'd start looking at the power supply or the motherboard. Also, make sure there's no loose wires (metal) touching the motherboard. A short could cause something like that. I'd try reseating all of the power connections to the motherboard...and if that doesn't have a positive effect, I'd then swap out power supply.
I'll try reseating some shiz. If that no work, I'll get a power supply. It built this one from scratch about 2 and a half years ago, Power Supply is that old.
My bet with the info at hand is the new vid card. I'm guessing it craps out with the dual signal. Have you tried using only one monitor only for a while to see if the signal cuts off? (then alternate with the other) New cards actually have a lower quality check tolerance than refurbs. Might just be unlucky
It still behaves in the same manner with only 1 monitor. The only reason I was using Dual Monitors was to make sure I had no monitor or cable connection problems.
BTW - Sunday after I blasted the damn thing with canned air, reseated my PCI slots and RAM, and installed new video card.... It was up and running for about 4 hours or so, then now its back to where it was again. I turn the Computer on, the Monitor shows the start screen for about 2 seconds and then immediately shuts off and goes into No-Signal mode.
It's likely if the signal would have kept its strength to the point of loading windows, he'd of attempted system restore by now.
Hmm if it's a different vid card, then my next guess is faulty ram or the powersource. There's some online ram check/stress tests you can run without loading Windows. I don't have any off the top of my head (usually comes preloaded in OEM machines). One indicator of the powersource is to unplug all the non essentials (CD rom drive, extra HDD, one monitor) and letting it run. Even then, you're back to square one if the vid signal fuzzes out randomly. Sorry for the call center checklist-like help. Just my personal experience.
What happens when you run in safe mode? Same issue? It could be two things, broken video card, or corrupt driver. Corrupt driver is easy, broken video card not so much.
I've had this problem often with alot of old Dell's. The computer will turn on and run, but is usually a problem with the power supply. Go over to Directron on Westpark to get a replacement power supply.
