Screen Turns off, computer won't restart until a later time

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here. Please excuse me! But, if anyone could offer some advice, I'd be very grateful!

My computer screen will regularly turn itself off (light goes yellow). The computer is still "on" but I don't think the programs are running (windows media player audio will stop when the screen does). The computer will not restart. I usually walk away, come back over an hour later, or the next day and it will start up.

I've installed a new video card - still turns off.

Tried my screen on another computer - it works. Tried another screen on my computer, it switches off.

Tried to format my hard-drive today and couldn't. I boot from the cd, get to the screen where it says it is "starting windows" and the screen freezes. I've left it for a good half hour to no avail.

Does this ring any bells for anyone? Might I have a virus? I've scanned with AVG free and spybot, and they come back clean.

If anyone could offer any advice, I'd most appreciate it.

Thanks for your time!

Rachel

 

Hello Rachel and welcome,

First, hold off on Tried to format my hard-drive today and couldn't, this seems to be a hardware issue - could be a connection issue to the tower, it could be the power supply.

If you haven't, look in the power options and see how its setup.

You should also specify the hardware specs. Download/install Everest Home edition http://www.lavalys.hu/products.php?lang=en It also might point to a problem.

Regards - Charles

 

Okay, normally when your computer is running, the processor is asking the RAM and hard drive for data, manipulating it and sending it back to them and on to the video card to generate the display you see.
If the processor stops, the video card keeps displaying the last frame it was sent. So then you still have a desktop, but since the processor is not accepting or sending data, you can't get the mouse cursor to move, any program which was running stops dead, and even the ctrl+alt+del twice on the keyboard to reboot does not work. All you can do is shut down by holding the power button or pulling the plug.

Is this what is happening?

There are two major causes of this type of behaviour; heat and power.
If there is a buildup of dust on the heatsink/ fan of the processor; or if its fan is slowing down with age or due to dust buildup this can cause the processor to reach its thermal limit and lock up.
The first thing to try here is to get a can of compressed air and blow all the dust off the heatsink and out of the case. When heat causes a lockup, letting things cool off will solve it. But generally it takes as little as five minutes for it to cool enough to start up again.

But based on your description of the problem also occuring during a reinstall I would go with it being more likely to be an issue with your power supply. If you add new components (extra drives, a more powerful video card etc) you need to get a more powerful power supply. And powersupplies do fail. Generally the first sign of a bad power supply is bizarre and unexplained lockups which you have to shut down and wait a bit. The longer this goes on, the more frequent it may become and the longer you may have to wait. Often there is no predictable pattern as to how long it takes.

Yes, it could also be a bad hard drive or just defective hard drive cable (the processor panics when it looses connection to the hard drive and locks up). But this generally should have triggered a BIOS SMART (System Monitoring and Reporting Tool) warning of imminent hard drive failure.


I would replace the power supply with a more powerful (higher wattage) one of known quality. I would blow out all dust and then if windows will not install run the hard drive manufacturers diagnostic tool. You could do this first if you can download it or have it on disk already. These are normally something you burn to a bootable CD or boot floppy and run to diagnose the hard drive.

You can also try booting to bios setup (generally it says something like press del to enter setup just as you hear the initial post beep) and check the operating temps. If they are extremely high that could be a problem and if the voltages reported are off by 10% or more you are having a serious power problem.

Other things known to cause this? Electrical noise on the line, such as plugging the PC into the same circuit as somethign with a heavy duty electric motor (Washing machine, air conditioner) without using a Uninterruptable Power Supply with Automatic Voltage Regulation and Line Filtering. (Same if your power company schedules brownouts to save power and lowers by over 10%)

 

It sounds to me like the computer is just going into stand by. Some computers have problems recovering from standy by so perhaps you could try disabling it. Right click on the desktop and choose properties>screen saver and then click on the power button. Set all of them to never. Then click on the hibernate tab and make sure the line that says enable hibernation is not checked. If stand by or hibernation is what's causing your problem, this should take care of it.

 

Thanks so much for your help!

Hello Everyone,

I'm not sure if I was clear: The screen randomly goes completely blank and the yellow light comes on as though I've switched the screen off. When I try to format the screen freezes on "setup is starting windows" and remains on the blue screen.

I've set all the settings to "never hibernate" already and hasn't helped (thanks anyway for the advice).

I downloaded the program... It doesn't make much sense to me, but here is the summary it gave me:

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack -
DirectX 4.08.01.0810 (DirectX 8.1)
Computer Name RACHEL
User Name Me

Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Duron, 1300 MHz (13 x 100)
Motherboard Name Epox KT-133M/M+ (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 3 DIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8363 Apollo KT133
System Memory 512 MB (PC133 SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award Modular (04/17/01)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 (128 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Monitor Acer V771 [17" CRT] (00991)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter VIA AC'97 Audio Controller

Storage:
IDE Controller VIA Bus Master Ultra ATA Controller
SCSI/RAID Controller SCSI/RAID Host Controller
SCSI/RAID Controller SCSI/RAID Host Controller
SCSI/RAID Controller VIA bus master IDE drivers
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive ST320014 A SCSI Disk Device (20 GB, 5400 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4520B SCSI CdRom Device (DVD:16x, CD:52x/24x/52x DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Optical Drive MITSUMI CD-ROM FX54++W SCSI CdRom Device (54x CD-ROM)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (FAT32) 19075 MB (5199 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Easy Internet Keyboard
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Peripherals:
Printer Canon Bubble-Jet BJC-210SP
Printer Canon MP360 Series Printer
Printer Microsoft Office Document Image Writer
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller

...Is that of any use to anyone?

The temperatures are currently...

Motherboard: 25C/77F
CPU: 33C/91F
Aux: 21C/70F
Seagate ST320014A: 28C/82F

... Is that pretty normal? The temps are slowly going up, the longer I have my computer on (I think).

I've plugged my computer straight into the wall, have blown dust out of the consul (though it still has some - I used my hairdryer on cold, ha!). I took out my dial-up modem and cable thingys from their slots...

Uh, can I ask how to identify the power supply? I'm not sure what I would be replacing... Um... Is it internal or external? Does it look like my video card?? (Sorry).

Maybe I'm more of a beginner (blushes)?

Thanks,

Rachel

 

Those all look good, (temperature wise)
Check the power readings in everest
Click on computer/ sensor
Look at the voltages
You will see something like this
Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.47 V
+2.5 V 2.47 V
+3.3 V 3.14 V
+5 V 5.03 V
+12 V 11.99 V
Debug Info V 7C 98 91 7B CF C5 CB C8



I would consider my 3.3V rail very low (5% below nominal) and worth keeping an eye on and replacing if I got a new video card or something which needs 3.3V power.

I suspect you have one extremely low or more than one out of range.
It is also possible the power supply just becomes unstable randomly.

 

What are you doing to restart it? Mouse? Keyboard?

Was your original video 'on board' or a separate card in a slot on the motherboard? You have replaced the video card?

If you looked at Control Panel and have all 3 settings under the general tab set to Never, and have hibernation turned off (unchecked), then that's not the problem.

Don't believe yet that this has anything to do with the power supply. Need more facts.

Seems more likely to be the video card not sending a signal to the monitor, when the monitor is on standby (amber led). Video cards may become intermittent. Even the motherboard is suspect Can you borrow a friends monitor to hook up for a day or so? Leave it on for the test.

A good power supply costs around $100, and lots more if your computer is proprietary (like Dell,etc.), so try everything else first. Unless you built it yourself, suggest you take the computer to a shop for the replacement of a power supply.

 

Thanks oshwyn:

Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.77 V
+2.5 V 1.54 V
+3.3 V 3.31 V
+5 V 4.95 V
+12 V 12.35 V
Debug Info F 26 00
Debug Info T 7C 9D 88
Debug Info V 94 81 D0 C8 CE

I really appreciate your help, thank you!

sparrow:

To turn off my computer I hold down the power button. Reset might work, the computer tends not to want to turn back on right away.

My original video card was in a seperate slot. I replaced it in an attempt to fix the problem. It didn't seem to make any difference.

I tried my consul with another monitor and the same thing happened.

I'll keep trying the things you've suggested. Thanks so much for your help!

Rachel

 

Is there per chance a small fan on the motherboard (besides the one on the CPU)?.

 

+2.5 V 1.54 V
That is your problem. You need a new power supply.
That is almost 40% low.

 

Re: Screen switching itself off...

Hello again,

It took me two hours of searching to find this website again and my old post is gone!

I finally bought a new power supply, only I'm not sure if it will be strong enough?

I previously had a 230w and bought a 300w which I can't return once I've hooked it up.

Here is the report that lead to the recommendation of the new power supply:

Voltage Values:

CPU Core 1.77 V

+2.5 V 1.54 V

+3.3 V 3.31 V

+5 V 4.95 V

+12 V 12.35 V

Debug Info F 26 00

Debug Info T 7C 9D 88

Debug Info V 94 81 D0 C8 CE

... Someone said I was running at less than 50%? Could someone tell me if that would mean I need a stronger power supply than 300w?

Here's some more info...

Computer:

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional

DirectX 4.08.01.0810 (DirectX 8.1)

Computer Name RACHEL

User Name Me



Motherboard:

CPU Type AMD Duron, 1300 MHz (13 x 100)

Motherboard Name Epox KT-133M/M+ (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 3 DIMM, Audio)

Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8363 Apollo KT133

System Memory 512 MB (PC133 SDRAM)

BIOS Type Award Modular (04/17/01)

Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)

Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)

Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)



Display:

Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 (128 MB)

3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200

Monitor Acer V771 [17" CRT] (00991)



Multimedia:

Audio Adapter VIA AC'97 Audio Controller



Storage:

IDE Controller VIA Bus Master Ultra ATA Controller

SCSI/RAID Controller SCSI/RAID Host Controller

SCSI/RAID Controller SCSI/RAID Host Controller

SCSI/RAID Controller VIA bus master IDE drivers

Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive

Disk Drive ST320014 A SCSI Disk Device (20 GB, 5400 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)

Optical Drive HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4520B SCSI CdRom Device (DVD:16x, CD:52x/24x/52x DVD-ROM/CD-RW)

Optical Drive MITSUMI CD-ROM FX54++W SCSI CdRom Device (54x CD-ROM)

SMART Hard Disks Status OK



Partitions:

C: (FAT32) 19075 MB (5199 MB free)

Thanks so much for all your help before! I really appreciate it!

Rachel

 

Check out this Power Supply Calculator to determine your needs.

You might also consider checking/reseating the connections from your power supply to the motherboard prior to doing any parts replacement.


Glad to see you found us again!

 

Thanks!

Thanks for that,

I did the calculator and it says I need 243w. I have a 300w ready to go, should I chuck it in, or upgrade??

Thanks again,

Rachel

 

Rachel,

The 300w power supply should be fine unless your planning on adding more hardware. Is this a good reputable, brand name power supply? I ask because... sometimes the wattage ratings can be mis-leading (as stated in the introduction to the 'Power Supply calculator'). If you are not sure, reply with the manufacturer and model number and the 'specs' should not be too hard to find.
Glad you caught your failing power supply in time, I lost my main computer to a power supply meltdown in July.

B

 

Thanks!

OMG! That would be awful! I didn't realise how important it was that I have a better one. Lucky my screen kept switching itself off, or I wouldn't have realised???

As I'm going to sell the computer, I opted to go for the cheaper, louder, less well known brand power supply:

Auriga 300w ATX Power Supply

What do you think? As long as it is sufficient, I'm not really fussed, but I think people might want to change to a bigger hard-drive in the future as the one I have on it is only 20gig!

Thanks,

Rachel

 

Rachel,

That should be fine. If the new owners want to add another hard drive that shouldn't be a problem. The power consumption of a hard drive is very small, they could add *several* (if there was room in the computer case) and things would still be fine. I tried to locate the 'specs' for that particular power supply and have come to the assumption that you are not located in North America.
(I'm guessing maybe Australia...) I found several places that would sell me one, but they didn't offer any information about the power supply.
Maybe someone else is familiar with the "Auriga" brand and can offer some input.

B

p.s. The premature loss of my other computer has a silver lining... a custom built machine that I didn't think I would see for another year and a half.

 

Well, I looked it up on the net and found out the brand is approved by intel and some other well known company, so I figure it can't be that bad.

Thanks so much for your help everyone! I'm putting in the new power supply now and hopefully everything will run fine!!

 

What do you think?

This is the report after installing the new power supply...

Sensor Properties:

Sensor Type VIA 686 Internal (ISA 6000h)



Temperatures:

Motherboard 29 ∞C (84 ∞F)

CPU 40 ∞C (104 ∞F)

Aux 22 ∞C (72 ∞F)

Seagate ST320014A 29 ∞C (84 ∞F)



Cooling Fans:

CPU 4441 RPM



Voltage Values:

CPU Core 1.77 V

+2.5 V 1.54 V

+3.3 V 3.34 V

+5 V 4.93 V

+12 V 12.35 V

Debug Info F 26 00

Debug Info T 7E A9 90

Debug Info V 94 81 D2 C7 CE

What do you think?

Rachel