New
#11
Also ran checkdisk and sfc scannow. No problems on scannow. Didn't see the results of checkdsk, as I left the house, but it had encountered no problems by the beginning of stage 5, which checks the empty sectors.
Intermittant Blank Screen: Win 7 : Geforce 460 GTX
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New #12
Hello Gannon. Tested it out and unfortunately didn't identify the part. Getting a loan of a GPU tomorrow, so that should allow me to eliminate/isolate the GPU as the problem. The only thing i've definitely eliminated so far is the monitor. Have done quite a few checks on HD and memory, so they seem less likely.
If it isn't the GPU, that leaves MOBO, CPU and PSU.
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New #13
If that loaner GPU fails I'd put money on it being the PSU
Unfortunately brand names fail as well.
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New #14
Yeah, GPU seems most likely. Hope I don't end up buying every part in turn, and not get the comp fixed for a few weeks. Cleaned out comp and reseated memory and GPU yesterday. No crashes yet, and unlikely that will solve the problem, but will wait till the error occurs again before replacing the graphics card. Thanks for your suggestion.
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New #15
Bit of a weird one, but since re-seating memory and GPU (5 days or so ago), there have been no crashes. Anyone else hear of anything like this happening? I'll close this off in another few days if the system remains stable.
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New #16
Reseating is standard early troubleshooting procedure.
Any reasonable PC repair place can fast test your PSU for failure.... you can buy the gadget [a PSU tester] yourself for:
About $15 for a cheap one, $30+ for a good one. [just checked on newegg] I spent $30 on one last year, it's a good investment.
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New #17
Been meaning to learn a little about repairing and working with hardware since my Dad's friend fixed my Samsung monitor by replacing the caps a few months back and saved me buying a new one. I'll look into getting a PSU tester, thanks.
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New #18
A+ study guide reminds me: The Big 4 are your normal failure points:
RAM (rare) [OC'n danger certainly, like all parts]
Motherboard (rare) [So many failure points on mobos, amazing that they don't fail MORE]
Video Card (again OC'n and poor air circulation/fan failure = murderers]
Power Supply [Doomed to fail eventually, helped by surges and blocked or clogged fan]
[CPU failure is rare and usually caused by OC'n by foolish users, failed installs in the first place, &/or bad fans/heatsink use, so doesn't make the list]
Personally, my failures have mostly been motherboard... 2nd PSU, 3rd Video card, never on RAM or CPU, although it getting loose over time on motherboards and needing reseated and/or slots cleaned, yes for RAM.
Users who never ever do routine maintenance on their PCs are lucky to get to 3 years, the amount of gunk and dust expected on opening their cases, I would cover my mouth and nose for a while.
Would you like a can of compressed air with those fries, sir?
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New #19
Thanks for the info Faladu. Nothing OC on my system. Really hope it isn't motherboard, as I have OEM windows and I think that dies with the board. I got a PSU Tester (one for dummies, with LED) and it tested ok. Guessing I can't be 100% sure without seeing voltages, but I didn't know that when I bought. Going to switch in the loaner graphics soon (its a crappy AMD - keep putting it off : ) Usually clean out the comp every 9 months or so. How much do you reckon this kind of maintenance extends the life of the comp?
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New #20
I don't know about extending life (although it stops overheating) but it will make it run cooler. As for OEM windows my mobo has died loads of times, just phone Microsoft and they will give you a conformation ID (or use chat, its really easy to copy and paste that way) and I've used unused OEM keys from bottom of my laptop on X computer then moved it to Y computer. But you must remember to replace the key with a trial key to turn it into retail before moving to a new mobo then reenter your key and contact Microsoft if needed. The only one I don't have to contact Microsoft for is my GGOK :)
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