Screen Keeps Blacking Out

[1eejit]

hey, i've had my computer for about 5 years and it's always worked fine.

 

a couple of years ago i got a new screen (HP w20) for it and it worked fine. the connection was sometimes lost but a new cable fixed that problem.

 

however for the past 6 months, after about 40minutes of using the computer the screen blacks out and i have to push the source button to get the screen back. after it does this once the time intervals between the black outs get quicker and quicker.

 

if i suspend the computer or turn it off for a while, the cycle begins again and i'll get a good 40 minutes before it all starts again!

 

i don't have to turn the monitor off to do this and the connections seem fine.

 

any ideas? is the graphics card dying?

 

cheers

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

 

Is there a fan on the graphics card? If yes make sure it is working.

 

Also make sure all the other fans are working.

[Dalo Harkin]

Are you 100% sure that the monitor is not set to hibernate or turn off after 40 minutes:-

Comtrol panel - power options -

and then make sure that its all turned to off - or MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

[1eejit]

thanks for the suggestions guys!

 

- there doesnt appear to be a fan for the graphics card but the other fans seem to be working. i did try blasting it with the hairdryer on cool to see if that helped but no change!

 

- power options aren't set to hibernate, although i hadn't even thought of checking that so thank you!

[Dalo Harkin]

Ok right click on the desktop and select properties -

on the screensaver tab there is an option at the bottom that says power saving

then on power schemes there is one called 'turn off monitor'

check its set to never

[1eejit]

yup it is set at never... i don't think it's a problem with the settings, in order to get the screen back i have to push the source button, going through each of the input sources till the image reappears.

 

i timed it again, 29 minutes, then intervals of between 2 -6 minutes of blackouts. i do tend to watch a lot of tv/films online.

 

thank you though!

[Tony D]

Since the only thing you do to get things working is press the input select on the monitor, then that pretty much rules out the computer because you didn't touch the computer. It's probably the monitor getting hot. Try another monitor to verify. Maybe try using a fan to blow cool air across the monitor.

 

That brings up another point. This is summer in the northern hemisphere and the ambient temperature is a bit higher than in winter. You didn't state your location, but if you're in the northern hemisphere, that would add to the heat theory.

[Seth]

Best bet now is to test the system with a different monitor.

 

You can pick up a crt for next to nothing at just about any thrift store.