Screen randomly goes blank but system doesn't seem to reset...

New system:

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.

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?

How to view and manage event logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427

Yes. Card power is plugged in. I will check all connections and try to recreate another fail tonight.

Eel_brio

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)?

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.

DUDE i have the same problem, its on my 4670 Force3D, it doesnt need a power connector and its working on a 22" Samsung LCD with 500W generic PSU, a previous MSI 4670 card worked before, its cutting randomly for me but in the background i can still hear the music and stuff

the video card i got is a 4670 Force 3D, i still have warranty on it, should i RMA it or get a new power supply?

I have same totally problem.
Buu here is same monitor goes black and PC is still running ...monitor light ficker on and off.
But i did change new monitor same thing happened.
Also i did download all updates for video card again same problem,download updates for windows xp again same, changed power supply for my PC same
I got angry now please help!!
what do i do? Please!!

I have a similar problem.

But!!

It is a laptop Dell Latitude D620.

happens with 2 different monitors and I have swapped the drive to another D620 that has a brand new mobo from Dell that a tech replaced. The only thing I can think of is that it is software related. Not sure if it is the driver or some 3rd party app that the user installed. I will reply back with the solution as soon as I find one, until then I will continue checking back to see if anyone found something.

I just started having the same problem. The thing is that I have a dual monitor setup and only the main monitor is going blank. The secondary monitor works just fine. The light on the main power indicates that it is getting a signal ( light changes color when computer is powered off). And also when I power off and then power on the monitor it will display for approx. 4 secs then go blank again. Very frustrating. Any ideas?