Hardware - Should I be concerned?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 322
    Windows 7 x64 Pro
       #1

    Hardware - Should I be concerned?


    Over the past two days, my monitor has gone black, for less than one second, three times and this has happened when nothing special was going on. Question: Should I be concerned about the computer's hardware? If so, are there any tests I can run to figure out the cause of the problem?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP3
       #2

    This happens to me when someone, elsewhere, plugs in a portable electric fan. Could just be the building circuits. Or, if you're in a hemisphere that's at the height of summer, I guess heat might be involved?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 322
    Windows 7 x64 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Clippy84 - I would agree with you, but my monitor is plugged into a UPS...
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 19
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP3
       #4

    Ok, well then the only thing I can suggest is that some UPS's have a couple of 'surge only' plug-sockets. If it's not plugged into one of those, then I'd suggest the graphics-card's heat triggering a small cut-out of the signal to the monitor? Could heat be causing the graphics-card to flex in its motherboard socket, perhaps? Is it firmly seated and locked in with levers?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 758
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #5

    What did you do to your PC before the blackout issue occurred?
    What type of cable connection (VGA, HDMI, DVI, etc.) do you have between the PC and monitor?
    How old is the monitor?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 322
    Windows 7 x64 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Did nothing to the PC.
    The cable is a VGA cable - perhaps change it to HDMI?
    The monitor is not that old - five or six years.

    Monitor just went dark again - twice - each time for 30+ seconds. Very annoying and concerning. I checked the power and signal cables an all are properly attached and the monitor's ON LED stayed lit.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 758
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #7

    Does your PC have integrated graphics or a dedicated graphics card?
    Does your monitor have built-in speakers, or are you using external speakers?
    Have you tried using a different VGA cable or testing the monitor on a different PC?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 322
    Windows 7 x64 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Dedicated graphics card, but it is relatively new.
    External speakers.

    I decided to try using a HDMI cable, but my monitor does not have an HDMI port. So, I am going to purchase a new monitor.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 599
    Windows 7 x64 SP1
       #9

    A good option, if you can afford it. You can always use a spare monitor, if the old one does still work. I had a similar problem, and a new monitor solved it. I also replaced the old computer it was attached to, just in case. I mean, the computer was from 2009, so it was time! Sometimes you do have to upgrade hardware, as much as I prefer to keep old stuff going. Still, the "new" computer was actually almost as old as the "old" one. But a reconditioned HP Elite 8300 is a very good machine, for 131.00.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 16,395
    7 X64
       #10

    HP Elite 8300
    I have an old 8300 sff . They cost next to nothing now
      My Computers


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:11.
Find Us