• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

[H]elp - Strange Video Problem

U

Useness

n00b
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
31
My problem is this, upon restarting my computer for whatever reason, my monitor fails to turn on. It appears that my computer is booting normally. However I can't confirm because my monitor stays inactive.

For Reference:
Monitor Power Light when Idle, Blinks
Monitor Power Light when Active, Solid
Monitor Power Light when no power, Off

For some reason I have to restart my computer 2-3 times on average before my monitor will turn on with the computer.

Once the restarts spark the monitor I have no issues for days, weeks, etc, until I either have to restart or I attempt to play a graphics intense game. Then I will randomly lose video and my comp locks up...

Any help you can toss my way would be most appreciated.


Monitor: Dell 19"
Vid Card: Nvidia GeForce 6800 GT 256MB (Driver Ver. 6.14.0010.9371)
Mobo: ASUS A8V-Deluxe
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3800+
OS: Windows XP Pro


Some odd things of note.

I have all this in a Lian Li case, which I erroneously bought for merits of being 'sound proofed' What I didn't realize at the time of purchase that what sound proofing translates to is heat insulation... So when playing games such as HL2 or NWN2 I am forced to open my case for increase airflow to avoid what I believe is an over heat issue. I believe this to be the cause because I can only play the game for about 3-7 mins before my monitor goes IDLE and I lose Video, Audio continues for a shortwhile before the comp locks up. I've only gotten one BSOD from this and it cited a obscure code, possible related to a boot sector virus. AVG Anti Virus detects no threat.

Also my Video card was shipped slightly askew on it's mounting bracket, which doesn't allow for a smooth fit into the AGP slot. It will seat fully but it seems straining.
 
Leave the side off and set a fan blowing in there to ensure it is not a heat issue.
 
That's my new routine now :D Otherwise... no gaming for me
But doesn't solve my strange issue
 
Well first I would solve that problem as it is likely to be related. :p
 
It's not a boot sector virus.

My money is on a video card giving up. If it doesn't fit in the slot correctly, that can be a problem, and to me it seems pretty obvious that heat is the actual source of the problem.. You may get a few more miles out of that card if you can come up with a cooling solution that works... but I don't think that card has got much left in it... Good luck.
 
Well that sounds unfortunate...

Looks like I'll be in the market for a new vid card then. :mad:

What would be a good upgrade for the MOBO? A8V-Deluxe
 
If heat is killing your GPU it's also likely to be killing your PSU...

As for motherboard replacements (I take it you're building a whole new machine now?) Gigabyte P35C-DS3R or the equivalent in the DQ6 line (if you want all solid caps), or an EVGA 680i board if you want SLI.

If you want a new case that's quiet and won't kill your components for heat, a P180/182 is a good option. You should be able to get one for around $80 after rebate. Add another $15-20 for new fans, though. 3 or 4 Yate Loons at $4-5 a piece move more air than the TriCools that come with it, and they're quieter.
 
My 7900GT Does the same thing. Instead of restarting, powering the machine completely off for a couple seconds, then turning it back on does the trick every time. Of course I also have problems with my CMOS being reset every time I power off my PC but not when I reboot....it's odd.

I really hope this isn't a sign of a video card failing...I have noticed occasional artifacts in BF2142, but I was attributing it to game glitches since that game is notorious for them. It is a lot warmer here lately though, so if it's the same problem then the point of temperature damaging it is very valid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top