Monitor or Computer messed up?

aLfr3dLiU · 15-Feb-2009, 02:41 AM #1

I have a HP computer and I had it for a few months now. Recently, while i'm surfing the web, playing games, or just doing something on the computer, my monitor goes idle or receives "no signal". the monitor still has power because the you can turn it off and on, and the computer seems to be on because all the lights are still on. However, I can't see what i'm doing so I don't know where the problem lies. I have to turn it off, wait a while, then turn it back on for it to work again, but it has a habit of doing it again. What can i do to fix this?

IMiteBable2help · 15-Feb-2009, 03:33 AM #2

Sounds like an issue with your graphics driver or hardware. The message you are receiving is often the first sign of a graphics card trying to die. But then, your graphics might be "on board" meaning it's built into the motherboard. "No signal" means just that. your monitor is getting nothing from the computer. If it's an HP computer *gag* *choke* then it's likely onboard graphics. It would help to know if you bought this computer second-hand. If so, do you have any idea how old it is? If it's only doing this from time-to-time, it could be because it has not failed yet, but is overheating. Open up the case if it's used, and tell me, is it filthy inside? Bad if it is. Good if you clean it up and stop the overheating before the graphics hardware fails completely.

aLfr3dLiU · 18-Feb-2009, 05:47 AM #3

I bought this computer new. It's about 6 months old. I got it July 2008, or around that time. I'm confused about what to do with my computer. I opened it up and cleaned the inside. Here are the specs of my computer:

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6700 @ 2.66GHz
CPU Speed: 2.67 GHz
System Ram: 3.0 GB
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, 32-bit (Build Service Pack 16001)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GS (I tried to search for drivers but couldn't find any )

I usually get "No Signal" when I play Left 4 Dead. After a while, I'll start lagging and my monitor goes "No Signal" and I can't do anything, but my computer and everything is still on. When i just search the web or leave it on for a while without doing anything it happened like one time since the problem started. What else should I do?

Alrich05 · 18-Feb-2009, 06:12 AM #4

I know this sounds stupid, but try blowing the dust out of the case and reseat the graphics card. It worked for me awhile back.

aLfr3dLiU · 18-Feb-2009, 06:14 AM #5

how do you reset your graphics card?

Alrich05 · 18-Feb-2009, 06:30 AM #6

Reseat. Just remove the card and blowout the slot and reinstall.

IMiteBable2help · 18-Feb-2009, 06:57 PM #7

Dusty heatsinks and fans, especially on the graphics card, can cause it to get too hot, especially while playing graphics-intense games. I've seen the exact symptom you described, and it was simply a case of a filthy dust-choked heat spreader. The graphics card will shut down if it overheats, and you will get "no signal" If the problem is not corrected, you could ruin it completely. I only use compressed, dry air to clean dust out of my PC, and I do it regularly, paying special attention to heat spreaders and fans. Be careful not to use too much pressure. Your problem may also be caused by a fan failure. Make sure all your fans are spinning when the PC is on.

aLfr3dLiU · 19-Feb-2009, 04:58 AM #8

I tried to reset the graphics card, but i can't remove it. It's stuck on the mother board. I cleaned out the inside of my computer and i got most of the dust today, but it happened again. All the fans are running, but when i touch the graphics card, it was really hot. Would I need to add more fans? or get a new graphics card all together? I can no longer play any games what so ever, and if i want to surf the web or do some homework, i have about 2-2.5 hours before i get the "no signal."

Thanks for all your help everyone. I really appreciate it

IMiteBable2help · 19-Feb-2009, 07:08 PM #9

It's beginning to sound more and more like you need a new graphics card. Graphics cards are normally the hottest part of your PC and they can handle more heat than other components so even a perfectly good graphics card running at normal temperature is going to be hot to the touch.

If your graphics card has active cooling (a fan on it) did you make sure that was also spinning? If all looks well, and is clean, and still keeps doing this, it's time for a new card. Your games will thank you with better performance as well.

IMiteBable2help · 24-Feb-2009, 08:13 PM **#10**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aLfr3dLiU

I tried to reset the graphics card, but i can't remove it. It's stuck on the mother board.

Probably forgot to take the screw out of the rear slot!

Alrich05 · 25-Feb-2009, 02:59 PM **#11**

Yeah, the screw would keep you from removing the card.

IMiteBable2help · 25-Feb-2009, 06:56 PM **#12**

Ya think?

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