Athlon X2 5000+ Black Box
500W Antec Earthpower PSU
Biostar TA770 MOBO
400GB SATA HD
Optical SATA DVDR
2gig Kingston 1066 DDR2
GeForce 6800GT EVGA 512MB
Problem:
I’ve just had the system up and running for a week or so. The problem is that, all of a sudden, the screen will go blank. I don’t think the system resets though. It sits there and the system light and fan are still on. Everything seems like it is working fine but the monitor goes out and there is apparently no way to get it back without turning off the computer and rebooting. This has happened 3 or 4 times in the last week and it is distressing me greatly.
The problem seems to be independent of what I am doing. I got a reset while I was browsing the internet. I have played Crysis for 2 hrs at a strech without the problem happening. I has also happened while playing Crysis. Monitor is a Samsung 20” flat panel. I’m not using video card manufacturer drivers… went straight to NVIDIA for latest drivers. Video card is not over-clocked.
What I have tried:
Monitor refresh was set to 60mhz. I reduced it to 59mhz. These are my only options.
Check sleep mode/power save functions and made sure they were off.
Other things to note:
- One of the resets occurred exactly as I plugged in a thumb-drive into the front panel USB port.
- Since I am just setting up my computer it has been sitting on the ground (carpet). My apartment is dry during the winter and very static-y. Could it be related to static?
- During my last Crysis session, I noticed some minor artificing (sp?) on the screen during one of the cut scenes.
My plan of attack:
Download Prime 95 and stress test memory
Download 3dmark and stress test video card
Download a CPU benckmarking program (someone recommend one please!) and stress test CPU
Take box off of carpet and attach it to desk and ground it.
If someone has had this type of problem and has any other hints/suggestions, please let me know.
I doubt it's static. I'm willing to bet that it could be a power issue though.
Try checking your even log around the time it happens to see if there are any application hangs or system errors.
Try the thumb-drive thing a few times and see if you can reproduce the results. If so, then maybe update USB / motherboard drivers or BIOS.
Also, to verify whether or not your system is still responding and not displaying anything. Try the following when the screen blacks out: Press the Windows Key > Press "U" > Press "R" > Hit "Enter". That should restart your machine if it is still responding.
Message edited by rgeist554 on 01-29-2008 at 03:41:35 PM
Hmmm... Event log is where? I don't think I have ever looked at it. I was leaning toward bad VGA card. I have both mobo power connectors connected. That isn't a problem is it? Also, 500 W. should be plenty for this system correct?
I just mean that it could be a power failure. Not an insufficient amount of power. See most of the time a hardware / driver conflict will result in an instant reboot or BSOD. You're just getting a black screen... so it could be a power issue.
My wife has the same problem.. if it is the same...
monitor goes blank.. but system still seams like it is responding....
for my wife... well her monitor crashes...
she has a 22" BenQ but the problem seems similar...
next time it happens... unplug the power to your monitor...
then plug it back in in 10-15 seconds...
that may solve your problem....
it happens to my wife.. 3-4 times a week...
then it doesn't happen for a few days... strange
I have both mobo power connectors connected. That isn't a problem is it? Also, 500 W. should be plenty for this system correct?
yes the ps looks ok,there is 2 -12 volt 17 amp rails on that power supply.but are you useing 2 seperate mollex line connectors from seperate rails(not two mollex connectors on the same cable)?
Message edited by major53 on 01-29-2008 at 06:17:20 PM
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GIGABYTE p35 ds3l-- e8400 wolfdale-- 4 GIG RAM g.skill 800 -- xfx 9800gtx 512-- OCZ 700 POWER SUPPLY---NZXT Apollo BLUE NP Blue SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower---acer 2216 wide screenl---logitech 3000 keyboard and mouse--- vista 32 bit
I had a similar problem not long ago, which I finally decided was due to static coupled with poor grounding on my case. It was resolved when I moved all my parts into a new case. Hmmm, need to update my specs. Anyway, doing most anything on the front panel would cause it. You say plugging in a USB stick did it to you. Heck, mine would wig out every time my fluffy cat just walked nearby. Anyway, since switching cases, the problem is gone.
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There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
Hmmm.... If I recall correctly, one time I touched the front bezel and it did a hard reset. Maybe it is static. I am unsure of Molex config. Mobo connectors are not Molex. One 6 pin (I think) and one of the big (12 pin?) connectors. Both connected. I will make sure vid card is on it's own rail.
Definitely a power supply issue. As they age they put out less power. I've had this happen to me before. The screen just goes black, but everything is still running. I actually was using an antec 430watt myself. Switched it out and haven't had a problem since on the old comp. It happens when you are running big drains on the vid card like crysis. It normally wont happen if you arent doing anything, ie, browsing the net. Pretty much how you know it's the power supply.
