Randomly not Getting Video on Start Up

[EatYaVeggies]

Starting about 2-3 months ago, once every 2 weeks or so, I started getting a problem that when I powered up my computer, there was no video.

The weird part is that everything else, as far as I could tell was operating normally. It would give the audio for windows booting, and I could even login. After maybe 4-6 tries of turning it off and on, with varying amounts of messing with external wires, it would give video and everything would work normally.

I didn't try to fix it at the time since it barely ever happened so I thought troubleshooting a problem that only happens twice a month would be a nightmare. Then it happened twice in a row on Sunday and Monday.

I think it might be my power supply, but since it is a video problem I posted in the graphics card section.

I also think it could be my monitor cable, the monitor itself, or my graphics card.

I believe I can get a test monitor, and cable, but not sure if there's a spare graphics card or PSU I can get.

 

[maxie]

Hi there ... It could be your Graphics Card or as you state maybe PSU ... If you can test with another Monitor and cable to rule that out .. You could also use your On-board Graphics .. You can rule things out one by one till you identify the problem .. Could be many things ..

 

[EatYaVeggies]

Thanks for the reply. Mostly wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything obvious before testing a bunch of hardware.

 

[EatYaVeggies]

I'm back. Progress has been slow since I still don't have an extra PSU, or graphics card, and the problem only happens once every 1-2weeks or so.

Tested the monitor and moniter cable, and both are not the problem.

I do not know if this is actually solving the problem, but the most consistent way I have found to fix the problem is to re-seat the 6-pins connected to my graphics card.

 

[Mellon Head]

I do not know if this is actually solving the problem, but the most consistent way I have found to fix the problem is to re-seat the 6-pins connected to my graphics card.

It sounds like you have a faulty connection. Try inspecting the 6-pin cable for something loose by giving a little tug on each individual wire - not too hard. One of the wires may pop out. If it does, you'll need to push it back into the connector until it clicks.

Something else to try is to use the other 6-pin connector on your PSU (Most have two or more).

 

[EatYaVeggies]

Well, the problem reappeared today, so I was finally able to test your suggestion. I was not able to see any obvious faulty connection, but my PSU does in fact have two extra 6-bins. So I switched the old ones for the extra ones.

Don't know if the problem is fixed or not since reseating those connections temporary solved the problem before, but here's hoping it does for good this time.