Re: Computer Issue

Kergal · Unread post by **Kergal** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:42 pm

Well here is hoping there is a solution I can do myself instead of needing to take it in to the shop. If anyone knows or has any input on what this might be it would be much appreciated. I myself don't know a whole lot about the workings of computers.

I was using the computer this morning and it was working fine. I left it on while I had lunch and took care of some things. When I came back to it a couple hours later is was in sleep mode like normal, but when I hit the keyboard to wake it up the tower turned on but nothing was coming to the monitors. I have since checked all the cords to be sure they are all connected and not loose, and restarted it multiple times with still nothing coming to the monitors. On startup the tower sounds like it is starting normally, no beeps or anything, but the monitors are remaining in sleep mode like they aren't getting any signal. Only difference with the tower is about the time it should be reaching the desktop after startup it is still running pretty high and staying that way.

Any help would be appreciated otherwise I'll see about getting it looked at.

Unread post by **Aquizit** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:56 pm

Kergal wrote: sleep mode

Well there's your problem!

Honestly, I have no clue -- but seriously, sleep mode is evil. Just shut the PC down.

Unread post by **Canaie** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:59 pm

It's hibernate that's truly evil. You hear no beeps on startup at all?

Kergal · Unread post by **Kergal** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:05 pm

Nope, I don't hear any beeps at all.

Unread post by **Pincus** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:06 pm

If the monitor is really in "sleep mode" (usually an amber light), it tends to mean no sync signal is getting to said monitor.

So, I'm guessing you've tried unplugging everything from the wall socket, and trying again.

If that doesn't work, check the video card. If it's not seated properly on the motherboard, the machine may act funny.

My bet is on the video card part of the system.

Kergal · Unread post by **Kergal** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:52 pm

Opened it up and I don't know enough about video cards to know if it is or isn't seated properly. I turned it back on and there is a light close to the video card and it is yellow if that means anything.

Unread post by **Aquizit** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:26 am

If there is no light appearing on your monitor at all, such as... no yellow light or no "No Sgnal" on your screen.. your monitor likely died.

Buy a new one!

Kergal · Unread post by **Kergal** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:17 am

The monitors look fine and appear to be working normally, I'm guessing there are video card issues. I'll try and get it into the shop tomorrow.

Unread post by **Pincus** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:28 pm

The way I'd check it is thus:

Pull the card out. I'm assuming it's a modern PC, so there's going to be a power cord attached to it internally. Remove that as well.

Blow on the contacts and heat sink. Make sure the fan is dust free.

Plug it back in, making sure it seats nicely.

Before closing up the case, turn it on. Make sure the fan spins. If there's still no display, then it's the vidcard or something more serious. I'm assuming youve tested the monitor on a known working machine.

Unread post by **Kazthul** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 3:34 pm

Pincus wrote:
Blow on the contacts and heat sink. Make sure the fan is dust free.

You sir are a mad scientist, the rest of use compressed air.

Unread post by **Aquizit** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:06 pm

Saliva makes things cleaner!

Unread post by **Pincus** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:58 am

Look, you don't want to know what kind of science I've done with a laser pointer and a pair of Wal-Mart sunglasses...

...it's the things you learn when you're a grad student. Always poor, overworked...and to get things done, you got to improvise. Oh, and always have the bottle of scotch in the lower desk drawer.

Deminthus · Unread post by **Deminthus** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 3:17 pm

Pincus wrote: ...it's the things you learn when you're a grad student. Always poor, overworked...and to get things done, you got to improvise. Oh, and always have the bottle of scotch in the lower desk drawer.

You must not need it much, then. Mine's in the top drawer, lol.

Unread post by **Pincus** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:21 pm

It was a large bottle...

Unread post by **Abric** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:21 pm

Heh, your ideal of poor seems to be pretty well off paying for Scotch, Pincus. A poor student drinks Bud Light or Natty Ice. Not scotch.

Fail poor is fail.