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I hope someone can help, this is driving me crazy.

Basically, every so often my PC monitor just cuts off. By this I mean switches to 'sleep' mode and doesn't go back. I have to end up switching my PC off, waiting for a bit then switching it back on to get it started again. I've tried cleaning out the inside of the tower just incase dust or something was causing something to fuck up inside.

Anyone got any ideas? If you need more info - just ask.

Thanks in advance,
Craig.

[Dave]

I had a problem like this a couple of years ago. Turned out my graphics card was on its last legs and every so often the connection between it and the monitor would be lost, with no way of restoring it short of switching off and switching on again.

My advice would be to take out your graphics card, make sure it's clean, replace it securely, re-install the drivers, and if the problem persists borrow someone else's for a while to see if that's the problem.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Craig C

I hope someone can help, this is driving me crazy.

Basically, every so often my PC monitor just cuts off. By this I mean switches to 'sleep' mode and doesn't go back. I have to end up switching my PC off, waiting for a bit then switching it back on to get it started again. I've tried cleaning out the inside of the tower just incase dust or something was causing something to fuck up inside.

Anyone got any ideas? If you need more info - just ask.

Thanks in advance,
Craig.

If I had to guess I would say there is nothing wrong with your monitor but your PC is overheating and so shutting-down. Hence why waiting a wee while solves the problem temporarily.

If the PC appears to still be on and functioning (i.e. there is hard disc activity etc) when the monitor suddenly goes to sleep then I suspect it's the graphics card itself that is overheating and switching off. Open the case and check that there is no large build-up of dust on the fan that your graphics card most likely has on it. Also verify that the fan on the graphics card is actually working when the PC is switched on. Also check the card is seated correctly by gently pressing it in. Sometimes the heat can cause components to expand in size and move out of position.

If you could give me the made and model of your graphics card then I could try and point you in the direction of a utility that will report how hot your graphics card is running at.

Originally Posted by Neil

If you could give me the made and model of your graphics card then I could try and point you in the direction of a utility that will report how hot your graphics card is running at.

It's a Radeon 9600 XT-4 ?


Thanks for the info by the way

[Neil]

Try to download and install this utility:

ATI Tray Tools

I believe it can give you temperature information on your graphics card. Let me know what it says.

[Alvin Starclusk]

Is your PC made by a particular, large company? I may have an answer if so...

Do you know what make/model the motherboard is?

[Lester Burnham]

Originally Posted by Alvin Starclusk

Is your PC made by a particular, large company? I may have an answer if so...

Do you know what make/model the motherboard is?

Swollen capacitors?

Yeah, it's a common issue with Dell Optiplex GX270's (I've only seen it once on a 280). To be honest... it doesn't sound like it to be me - I've had to deal with them a lot at work.

You can check if it's this anyways by having a look on the motherboard. The capicitors should be completely flat but a common issue has occurs where they are swelling and as a result are causing the PC to crash.

Right,

I've opened up the tower again and gave the whole thing a clean using a rocket blower. Especially the graphics card (which did have a fair amount of dust on it). Everything seems to be fine...so far.

If it crashes on me whilst I'm downloading Frampton Comes Alive - I shant be happy.

[Alvin Starclusk]

Originally Posted by Lester Burnham

(I've only seen it once on a 280).

*cough* Well that's something for you to look forward to then.

The symptoms described in the first post are actually some of the more common ones that occur with the swollen caps. But I can't say too much...

[Lester Burnham]

Originally Posted by Alvin Starclusk

*cough* Well that's something for you to look forward to then.

The symptoms described in the first post are actually some of the more common ones that occur with the swollen caps. But I can't say too much...

Gads.
They are a pain in the arse. It's basically a replace the motherboard job. Cue spending an hour on the phone to Dell demanding an engineer, waiting two days and then him spending half a day doing a 10 minute job. Joys.

We're mostly bringing in GX620's just now in regards to new PC's and they seem to be behaving themselves so far *touches wood*.