Monitor doesn't display anyting

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  1. Posts : 41
    Windows 7
       #1

    Monitor doesn't display anyting


    Hey all.

    Around a week ago, while using my Dell Dimension 9200, the screen would go black for a couple of seconds and then come back, displaying an error in the bottom right of the screen about my graphics card (NVIDIA 7900).

    A couple of days ago it did the same thing, but instead of coming back on it stayed black. I turned the power off, left it for a short while, and when I turned it back on everything was returned to normal.

    However, today the screen isn't returning. I've unplugged everything, restarted over and over -- nothing. The screen is just displaying black. The PC is starting up fine (in that I can hear it), but there's no output on the screen.

    Pressing a couple of buttons on the screen displays the following message:
    2: Digital Input
    In Power Save Mode
    Press computer button
    or any key on keyboard or move mouse

    The screen itself is working perfectly fine on the Analog Input as I also use it to run my Wii, and I've absoloutely no problems with that.

    Please could someone help me!

    Thank you.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #2

    Sounds like the video card may be toast on you! The warning about the card was the hardware failure detection Dell apparently has inplace and why you were seeing that appear. On custom builds in most cases a long beep followed by two short depending on bios is what you typically hear at post time when a card fails.

    The one way to find out if this is the case would be using another card. Since everything else seems to be running normal this is what to look at there. If the picture returns with the substitute or replacement card you've found the problem. If still under warranty you would need to bring it back or send it in to be covered.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 41
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I too assumed it was the graphics card. Sadly, I do not have a suitable replacement card to test out and my PC is out of warrenty.

    What are my options? Buy a new graphics card? If I do this, how do I know that everything will co-oporate with the PC as it is at the moment? Would buying a new PC be more cost effective?

    Thanks.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 41
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    As an aside, I opened the computer up and the graphics card fan-thing is spinning. I assume this doesn't mean it is or isn't woring though?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #5

    The card could be lifted up in the slot. That was one other thing to consider I didn't mention before.

    The fan is totally separate from the vpu chip on the card itself. That will continue to run even on a bad card especially with a separate power connector since it's not going through the card itself.

    The last thing before assuming the card is toast would be powering everything down and removing the card to then reinsert down again fully to make sure it's reseated properly. Generally if a card is toast an audio alert is generally heard while a card lifted up just a bit will break the connection just enough to see the card missing warning.

    As you mentioned restarting suddenly saw the card working again which is one last thing to check. Make sure to use a can of air cleaner as well to blast any debris out.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 41
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I turned on my computer this morning and oddly it worked, although I'm sure not for long... it's a bit odd that it has suddenly started working again, so whatever it is can't be completely dead. If When it next happens I will try reseating the card like you suggest. I did take a look and notice that the card is very dusty - I will also attempt to get rid of this.

    Thanks, I'll be no doubt updating here soon!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #7

    I'm sure the card is lifted up as well as the buildup of crud causing an intermittency where you have to get in there and blast the contacts in the slot as well as the dust on the card. At least you know the card isn't completely toast at seeing this quite yet anyways.

    With the system here I have to kept up with the house cleaning as far as getting in there and wiping down the fan blades on the case and cpu fans as well as going over the board and other hardwares. That's one thing you don't want to neglect for sure. In fact I cleaned up one case for someone who never did any cleaning and ended up peeling a wool blanket off of the board! yikes!
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 2,685
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86-64
       #8

    Night Hawk said:
    I'm sure the card is lifted up as well as the buildup of crud causing an intermittency where you have to get in there and blast the contacts in the slot as well as the dust on the card. At least you know the card isn't completely toast at seeing this quite yet anyways.

    With the system here I have to kept up with the house cleaning as far as getting in there and wiping down the fan blades on the case and cpu fans as well as going over the board and other hardwares. That's one thing you don't want to neglect for sure. In fact I cleaned up one case for someone who never did any cleaning and ended up peeling a wool blanket off of the board! yikes!
    In addition, dust traps heat and that is something you definitely don't want to happen to your PC or its components.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4,517
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #9

    Agreed on dust.
    Its def. worth keeping a can of compressed air around, and blowing everything out every other month or so .. depending how dusty it is in the area the PC is in, or how much it draws in.

    Walmart carries em for like $4 and is good for 4-5 clean outs.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #10

    Another thing besides simply blasting compressed air to clean(which reminds me of someone using a portable air tank used for filling car tires to blast a case out with an 80lb.psi air hose!) is knowing what become the worst dust magnet inside.

    Surprizingly the fan blades for case and cpu fans often have to be manually wiped down. Antistatic wipes in plastic containers are generally found at office supply stores that will tend to that. For the PCIe slot there a small thin tube is included with a can of air cleaner you use to clean that out with.
      My Computers


 
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