[Solved] Monitor starts then goes blank before desktop screen arrives.

[Ray1000]

When starting my newly acquired Vista O/S Sony Vaio Desktop Model PCV-RS704 the connected Samsung SyncMaster 172V monitor starts normally ... it shows the Vaio logo, then the Intel logo, then the Microsoft Corporation name and bar across the bottom of the screen then it goes blank and stays that way.

 

The computer starts normally in the background ... the windows start up tune plays and even "your Avast Antivirus has been updated".

 

If I detach and replace the VGA cable the monitor comes on and stays on.

 

I changed the monitor while the computer was running and it displayed a "Input signal out of range" message and went onto a Power Management screen with a 20sec countdown?

 

I haven't yet tried the spare monitor from start up, thinking it is a Video card problem.

 

Since Windows update has been applied the Graphics driver is newer than it was, now .02/06/2008 from 2004

 

I have also removed the TV card and the dial up modem card from the tower.

 

I have changed the VGA cable for a new one.

 

Thank you for you time,

 

Ray

[KenB]

Input signal out of range"

This could be because the resolution settings are not supported by your monitor.

 

Boot up in Safe Mode ( Tap F8 after switching on )

Change the resolution to 1024 × 768.

Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Personalization > Display Resolution

[Ray1000]

Thank you Ken,

 

It has been set on 1280 x 1024 and it started up normally this morning, making it into an intermittent fault.

 

I have reset it to 1024 x 768 and will see how it performs now.

 

Edit ... I see the resolution on the spec for the Samsung Monitor is 1280 x 1024.

 

It was my spare LCD that gave out the "out of range" message, which may be less

 

Ray

Edited February 2, 2014 by Ray1000

[KenB]

Let's see how it goes Ray :)

[Ray1000]

You were right again Ken,:D

 

It’s been of on and off twenty times since the last post and only failed three times

.

It has only failed to start on the highest setting, 1280 x 1024. And starts normally on anything less, I have it on 1152 x 864

.

Presumably after the “Vaio” > “Intel Inside” > “Microsoft Corporation” screens this is where it loads the chosen resolution ... and in this case sometimes fails because it is on the borderline for this monitor?

 

Ray

[kernel]

Yes, after the "Microsoft Corporation" the OS loads the video driver and sets the display resolution to what was chosen. Your monitor may have that resolution available, but you may not be able to use it because your refresh rate is to low/high. Do you only have one refresh rate or multiple? You can find that out by going to where you changed your display resolution. And is all of your drivers up to date? Edited February 5, 2014 by kernel

[KenB]

and in this case sometimes fails because it is on the borderline for this monitor?

 

According to the specs for your Samsung monitor the refresh rate is 75 Hz

click here

 

Some older monitors require a refresh rate of 60 Hz

kernel may be correct.

Check the refresh rate and if it is set at 75Hz change it to 60Hz [ assuming you are using your old monitor ]

 

Also - we have no information on your old monitor so we cannot discover the exact resolution that it should be set to.

If 1024 × 768 looks OK and is not giving any problems then stick with this :)

[Ray1000]

Thanks for the replies,

 

I'm using the Samsung SyncMaster 172v ... it is set for 75Hz in the box of the two choices - 75 and 70.

 

With regard to the driver ... it says Generic PnP Monitor and the driver date is 2006.

 

I haven't had the installation disc in for the monitor by the way ... I don't know if this would be a good idea ... I usually don't bother with discs if it will run without them.

 

Ray

[KenB]

I haven't had the installation disc in for the monitor by the way

Pop it in Ray.

The Generic PnP Monitor is Windows - it knows there is a monitor connected ....but not which one.

Install the drivers and see how things are then.

[Ray1000]

Done that Ken,

 

It now shows the Samsung model name in Device Manager and it re-started at the first attempt on full resolution.

 

Even if it occasionally fails from now on at least I now know what the problem is.

 

Thank you again for you help.

 

I just have one more thing to do complete the machine regarding the HD for which I'll start another thread.

 

Ray

[KenB]

I think that will sort it Ray - let us know how you get on :)