Computer Screen Goes Black

About 4 years ago I built a computer with an MSI board, Windows XP and AMD XP2000 Chip. I have 1gb of memory. Recently, I started having problems with the computer screen. I would be using the computer and the screen would flash (the flash was to a black screen). This would happen from time to time with the frequency of the flashing increasing right before the screen went all black. The computer would still be running but the screen stayed black. Once I rebooted the computer went back to normal. I first thought that my hard drive was crashing so I just installed a new Seagate 160mb hard drive. The slower flashes have gone away. However, if the computer is on for about 30 minutes or more it goes straight to the black screen. I cannot reboot without pressing the power button. Does anyone know what could be causing this? My two guesses are either a power issue or a graphics issue. I have an NVIDIA 128mb AGP graphics card. One time when the computer did go blank as I described I powered off and then back on and got an error message that my graphics card drivers needed to be updated and/or I need to lower the acceleration on the card. I did both of these things that did not fix the problem. What should i do to get my computer fixed? If it is a graphics card issue, what do you suggest as an affordable replacement? Thank you in advanced for your help.

 

I should add that I have an MSI KT4AV-L(MS-6712) motherboard.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll try your suggestions tonight.

The power light stays green but it flashes. Its a Samsung 19" flat CRT. I've checked the monitor to card connection and it seems fine. I don't have another monitor to try but I can try another computer this weekend.

 

I've checked the main plugs, tried different outlets and surge protectors, etc. I hope its a power issue rather than a monitor issue. Monitors are so much more expensive.

 

Yes, the monitor would be the first thing I would check.

If the graphics card has a fan, run with the case open and check that the fan is spinning freely.

Ahh, VIA chipset. VIA have a CPU to AGP Bridge driver in their set of chipset drivers.

It is just as important to have a good set of chipset drivers in this case. There are a new set of chipset drivers available at VIA for Win XP. Up until recently, you were supposed to use those supplied on the Win XP CD, but I think new ones have been released to keep pace with Windows Updates.

If the graphics drivers still seem to be the problem, first, you might try running Dxdiag (enter dxdiag into Start -> Run), there are some simple tests there. Secondly, uninstall and reinstall the graphics drivers. Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the nVidia listing in Add/Remove Programs, reboot, point the Add New Hardware wizard to your graphics drivers CD or those recommended/supplied by the graphics card manufacturer (or cancel out of the wizard and run the driver installation program).

Matt

 

I've already updated the chipset drivers. Last night I opened the case and refitted the graphics card and i cleaned out the inside of my computer. I also changed the refresh rate to 75. There is not a fan on my video card. I'll try the tests. I'm pretty much reserved to getting a new graphics card and power supply at this point.

 

I tried the monitor on another computer yesterday and no problems whatsoever. Sorry, I forgot to metion that in my previous post.

 

Problem solved!

This weekend I installed a new 480W power supply. Everything works fine now. Thanks for all of the suggestions.