bronislav84

Recently, sometimes when I turn on my system, it starts up but the screen is blank. I turn the monitor on and off, and it flickers momentarily to show what's on the screen, then goes off again. As in I get a blank screen while there is something being sent to the monitor. I've been able to fix it by disconnecting and reconnecting the video cable, then rebooting. But how long until this method stops working? I'm looking for a more permanent fix. Can anybody help diagnose what's causing this?

I decided to upgrade the drivers for my Nvidea Geforce 7900 GS from Omega Drivers like I usually do (In an attempt to fix it, thinking my drivers were old), and saw the link to this forum so I thought maybe I could get some help.

I hope this is posted in the right section. I'm new here.

BlueMak

I am not sure it is a great idea to unplug and plug the monitor cable to the graphics card while either/both are powered on.

Have you tried a different monitor or the monitor to a different system yet? If you could it would help a lot.

__________________

The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm Sic semper tyrannis.

bronislav84

I know its not a good idea, but it does fix it. It's either this or have a blank screen, and I kinda prefer to be able to see. Next time I will try it while everything is off.

I have a CRT type monitor stashed away somewhere. I could test it, but the thing is, I have no room for it on my current desk, and this happens randomly, so I can't expect it to happen right away on the other monitor. I could be using it for a while and not get this to happen, or not, but it would be sitting in an odd position or not even on my desk in the meantime, which is uncomfortable on a desk made for a flat panel. The monitor was the most expensive part of my PC (Flat panels cost a lot as people know), and I really hope that it's not the monitor cause it will probably cost a ton to get checked/repaired. It happens randomly and I can't just force it on my own, so as I said I could be powering it on and get this problem, or not. I'm trying to see if anybody could tell me what's causing it, or diagnose with me.

And I only have one working PC, since I crashed my previous one (I didn't mean to, it just kept having one problem after another until if finally just stopped being able to load Windows) and what's left of it that was salvageable in the current motherbboard compatibility world (The HDD mostly) I plugged into this one.

EDIT: System specs on my Xfire profile: Clicky

cozumel

Hi, welcome to DH.

Just confirming: When you say it "flickers momentarily to show what's on the screen", do you mean you can see the XP display during this flicker?

Try another monitor cable for say a week. (I take it the problem occurs more than once weekly?). If it's still the same then you will have to swap monitors for a week, either with your CRT or maybe by lending the CRT to a friend while you borrow their LCD (this sorts out the lack of space problem).

Your specs that you linked to are very vague.

What model monitor do you have and how old is it? It could still be uder warranty (my IIyama that I keep as a spare has a 3 year warranty)

__________________

BlueMak

You don't have to replace your TFT with a CRT monitor for ever. But if you try the other monitor and it has the same problem very soon, the it is obviously not a monitor problem.
First though, try a different cable with your TFT as cozumel suggested, in case it is something minor like a bad cable.

__________________

The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm Sic semper tyrannis.

Tipstaff

Questions, questions:

What about monitor settings in Windows? Is it listed as being a default or plug and play monitor? Or do you have the drivers installed for you monitor? Also, what refresh rate do you have it set to, and if there are any other frequencies, have you tried them as well?

As well, what type of connection are you using? DVI or D-Sub VGA? If you have a card that has dual DVI, which of the connectors are you using? Are you using the one closest to the screw, which is usually the primary connector, or the other?

You list that you have an Hitachi 17" LCD. Does it have more than one connector that you can test with, such as a DVI and a D-Sub VGA port?

I know, a lot of questions, but they are also ideas to try out.

__________________

bronislav84

Fantasitc, I write all of this out and then Metconnect decides to hijack the submit and of course IE doesn't save. I'm too lazy to open FF. Here we go again....Yes, it flickers and I see it for a second or two then it goes blank again. It hasn't happend yet since the last time I posted, probably because I've had it on for the Trickster Xfire contest, but I rebooted and could see. I will try a cold boot later to see if it only happens with cold boots or not.

This happened twice in the span of two power ons (One night in between them only), so I decided enough was enough and decided to ask for help, but it hasn't happend since my last post as I said. I think I have another cable lieing around somewhere, I will try it next time I get a blank screen.

I updated my specs with a model number on Xfire, and the last reciept I have from Dell is marked November 6, 2007 so it's barely a year old or around there.

Oh, and I don't have a friend to lend a monitor from unfortunately.I will try that next time I get this problem again, definitely. I'm kinda grateful it hasn't happened yet, but that also means I can't test anything until it happens again. If the cable fixes it I won't have to use my fat CRT.It's listed as a Plug and Play, but I do have a driver disk that came with it lieing around somewhere. The booklets said to only install it if I have display issues (Not like this one, since this happens even before Windows boots up) during use, or if the Video card is too old and doesn't detect it. It's on 60hz and I don't get any other options besides that.

I'm using a DVI, and yes, it has two DVIs. It also comes with a converter so a VGA can be connected. The monitor has two inputs. I haven't checked, but I assume one is DVI and one is VGA. It's connected by the right side connector right now (Looking from the point of view of the back of the case. Left side if youre looking at it from the front of the case. Also, on the monitor it's connected tothe right most one too. I'm right handed). Since I forgot which side has the screw (Haven't opened a case in a while, sorry), I couldn't tell off hand which one this is, but you can probably tell me if I should switch to the other connector or not.


I'm sorry I took so long to reply, but it was a lot of info and I was kinda dreading replying. Plus the post was eaten one time, and I had to retype it. Now I'm going to save it on the clipboard before I submit it.




Also, does anybody know what could be causing an HP printer to not be able to print? Every time I try I get an error like this:
"System Error
The document cannot be printed due to a system error.
Try prining again. If unsucessful, restart withdows and try printing again."

I've done what it says many times, even uninstalled and reinstalled my printer, and still I get this error. What could be causing it? Just thought I'd ask here instead of making another thread.

SeraphicSorcerer

You didn't disable the printer spooler service by accident did you?

I had a similar problem with a Acer LCD recently, it was the inverter board going out.

__________________

bronislav84

What's a priner spooler?

And what did you do to fix your monitor Seraphic? Please don't say bought a new one.

And I just had this happen again with the monitor, with NOTHING being sent (Cable was disconnected), not even the No Signal message would stay on the screen longer than a second. It seeems to be harder and harder to keep it on and I've decided to just never turn it off for fear that it won't come back on again. I think I need to replace my $1500 monitor, or maybe get it repaired.

BlueMak

You have a 17" TFT monitor that costs $1500? Is it made of gold?

__________________

The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm Sic semper tyrannis.

bronislav84

I remember I got it in 2003, and it's out of warranty I think. It cost a lot of money five years ago when they were not so easy to produce yet. I paid somewhere between 1k and 1.5k for it. I've seen 17" (Viewable) ones go for 400 dollars now, or even less.

Anyway I'm pretty sure there's something wrong with it. I'll either replace it or repair it, but in the meantime I'm afraid to turn it off. This time I was sure it wouldn't come on at all, but I was just playing with the On/Off and it actually stayed on so I'm gonna keep the system on and sending a signal all the time now until I can get a new one or fix it. It seems mom threw out my old CRT. >.<

Can anybody help with my printer please?

BlueMak

Well, if it is damaged and can't be repaired, you will have to accept it and just buy a new one when you can afford it. You can buy a 17" one for far less than $400.

As for the Print Spooler.
Open Control Panel. Open Administrative Tools. Open Services. Scroll down the list till you find "Print Spooler". Make sure it is set on Started and Automatic. You can change the Status of it by right clicking on it and click start. You can change the Startup Type of it by right clicking and choose Properties. Right in the middle of the new window, in the first tab, you will see a drop down menu. Just choose Automatic and click ok.

The close (ok) everything. I don't remember if you have to restart the computer after that, but you might as well do so.

__________________

The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm Sic semper tyrannis.

bronislav84

It's on Standard and Automatic (I changed nothing). Any other ideas?

bronislav84

Ok this is on page 2, almost 3, and I still need help. I'm afraid I have no choice but to bump. Very sorry.

cozumel

Lets get back to the monitor for a minute. One thing at a time.

Have you tried a different cable for a week yet?

Have you tried your CRT for a week yet?

These are the things you have to do with an intermittent problem that only happens every couple of days. Once you have done both of those two things and the problem remained the same then you would know it isn't the montitor/cable and you begin to look elsewhere. Things have to be done in a logical manner or you keep going in circles and getting frustrated. (I'm just as bad though sometimes, I have to say )

__________________

Tyrsonswood

When it goes blank like this what is the on/standby indicator LED doing, what color is it? Is it flashing?

This sounds like the monitor is dying and will need repaired or replaced. I found a dead 17" Dell in the trash that was doing something similar but would not come on at all by time I got it.... the indicator was flashing orange and erratic, and would not even display the no signal message with the cable unplugged. It ended up being some blown capacitors in the power supply section. Cheap fix for a DIY guy like me, but to pay someone to do this you may as well buy a new one...... Repair prices are not cheap.

In my case I got a free monitor for about a half hours work swaping out the caps with some used ones I had laying around..... still works great too

__________________

bronislav84

Mr. cozumel I have tried a VGA cable (Using a DVI-VGA converter provided with my video card, and the monitor has both kinds of connectors). Tried this that time I said it wouldn't turn on and I was very close to giving up on it. Both kinds of connectiors gave the same result, no differences what so ever. It's working on the DVI right now, simply because I have it strung through the back of the desk and all, and the VGA was just put in on the outside to test it out.

Ever since that large reply above, I haven't turned it off once yet. I could turn off the computer but I'll probably keep the monitor on with No Signal being shown, because I'm afraid I won't be able to turn it back on. I've been downloading something large for a few days so I haven't needed to turn anything off.

Unfortunately mom and I threw out my old CRT monitor, nor can I borrow one from a friend since I don't know anybody in this new neighborhood since I moved.

Should we go out and buy a new monitor? T_T

EDIT: Woops, there's a page 2. It just goes black. The monitor acts like it's immediately off. What do you suggest, Tyrson, replace right?

If there's nothing anybody can think of, time for the printer maybe?

Tyrsonswood

It would be nice to verify that it was not the monitor first but without that old crt you don't have anymore you're kinda stuck there. You ruled out cables and it doesn't sound like a videocard problem at all if it goes black with no "no signal" message when there's nothing pluged into it..... sounds like replacement time to me.

Did you ever try using a different AC power cable? Those things rarely go bad but give it a shot and try a different AC cable or at least make sure the end plugged into the monitor isn't loose...........

Other than that it sounds like you need a monitor

__________________