Guest maryc Posted September 13, 2007 Posted September 13, 2007 As above, then restarts with no problems - any idea what is causing this or how to find out what the problem is. Thank you -- maryc
Guest Malke Posted September 13, 2007 Posted September 13, 2007 Re: windows xp pro "no signal" then reboots maryc wrote: > As above, then restarts with no problems - any idea what is causing this or > how to find out what the problem is. Thank you "No signal" means that no signal is getting to your monitor from your video card. Since we know nothing about your computer, your monitor, or what changed between the time things worked and the time they didn't (if anything), that's as specific as I can get. The usual troubleshooting steps for video issues are: 1. Attach the computer (assuming it is a desktop machine) to a different monitor. If all is well, there is a problem with the first monitor. Look for bent pins, etc. Usually you will wind up replacing the monitor. 2. If the problem occurs when the computer is connected to a different, known-working monitor then start by swapping out the video card for a known-working one since the issue is with the computer and not the monitor. Malke -- Elephant Boy Computers http://www.elephantboycomputers.com "Don't Panic!" MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Guest z1z1z1 Posted September 13, 2007 Posted September 13, 2007 Re: windows xp pro "no signal" then reboots Malke <notreally@invalid.invalid> wrote in news:OO#WJZf9HHA.3548@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl: > maryc wrote: >> As above, then restarts with no problems - any idea what is causing >> this or how to find out what the problem is. Thank you > > "No signal" means that no signal is getting to your monitor from your > video card. Since we know nothing about your computer, your monitor, > or what changed between the time things worked and the time they > didn't (if anything), that's as specific as I can get. The usual > troubleshooting steps for video issues are: > > 1. Attach the computer (assuming it is a desktop machine) to a > different monitor. If all is well, there is a problem with the first > monitor. Look for bent pins, etc. Usually you will wind up replacing > the monitor. > > 2. If the problem occurs when the computer is connected to a > different, known-working monitor then start by swapping out the video > card for a known-working one since the issue is with the computer and > not the monitor. > > > Malke If the problem were just with the monitor/cable, I doubt that it would reboot automatically (and it likely wouldn't restart ok after that). Does this happen every time you start up, or only at "random" times? Does it happen when the computer is cold after being off for a while, or when it is still hot from running? Does this happen after a power-on from a power-off state, or after a "restart" without power off, or after a "shut down"? Note that "shut down" usually leaves some power on your motherboard - you have to flip a physical switch or pull the plug to totally power off. The power button on the front does not cut the power, it just signals the motherboard to turn most power off. Does it happen after you have run certain programs (especially something that may involve heavy video use such as a game), or perhaps when something has ended abnormally? If this happens every time, or you can predict which times it will - can you go into the computer's BIOS (usually by pressing Del, F2, or perhaps another key right after power-on)? If you can't get this far, it is likely a hardware problem as it has not started Windows at this point. Next, try going into Safe Mode (hold F8 while Windows starts). This may let you get into Windows if it is a driver or other software problem. If this works, you may then be able to reinstall the video driver or look for other software errors. If you have access to another video card, you can try all of the above with it installed in place of your current one. Another hardware "fix" would be to pull your video card and memory sticks and clean all the dust from the contacts, then reinsert. If your video is on the motherboard instead of a separate card, you may still be able to install another card, which often automatically disables the onboard video.
Guest maryc Posted September 14, 2007 Posted September 14, 2007 Re: windows xp pro "no signal" then reboots happened again, this time got chance to send error message - received one from microsoft suggesting "consider bios upgrade". couldnt determine exact cause but noticed that bios system does not match spec for cpu etc. this is a tiny pc of which nothing has been changed. I am only a basic user what to do next? -- maryc "z1z1z1" wrote: > Malke <notreally@invalid.invalid> wrote in > news:OO#WJZf9HHA.3548@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl: > > > maryc wrote: > >> As above, then restarts with no problems - any idea what is causing > >> this or how to find out what the problem is. Thank you > > > > "No signal" means that no signal is getting to your monitor from your > > video card. Since we know nothing about your computer, your monitor, > > or what changed between the time things worked and the time they > > didn't (if anything), that's as specific as I can get. The usual > > troubleshooting steps for video issues are: > > > > 1. Attach the computer (assuming it is a desktop machine) to a > > different monitor. If all is well, there is a problem with the first > > monitor. Look for bent pins, etc. Usually you will wind up replacing > > the monitor. > > > > 2. If the problem occurs when the computer is connected to a > > different, known-working monitor then start by swapping out the video > > card for a known-working one since the issue is with the computer and > > not the monitor. > > > > > > Malke > > If the problem were just with the monitor/cable, I doubt that it would > reboot automatically (and it likely wouldn't restart ok after that). > > Does this happen every time you start up, or only at "random" times? > Does it happen when the computer is cold after being off for a while, or > when it is still hot from running? > Does this happen after a power-on from a power-off state, or after a > "restart" without power off, or after a "shut down"? Note that "shut > down" usually leaves some power on your motherboard - you have to flip a > physical switch or pull the plug to totally power off. The power button > on the front does not cut the power, it just signals the motherboard to > turn most power off. > Does it happen after you have run certain programs (especially something > that may involve heavy video use such as a game), or perhaps when > something has ended abnormally? > > If this happens every time, or you can predict which times it will - can > you go into the computer's BIOS (usually by pressing Del, F2, or perhaps > another key right after power-on)? If you can't get this far, it is > likely a hardware problem as it has not started Windows at this point. > Next, try going into Safe Mode (hold F8 while Windows starts). This may > let you get into Windows if it is a driver or other software problem. If > this works, you may then be able to reinstall the video driver or look > for other software errors. > > If you have access to another video card, you can try all of the above > with it installed in place of your current one. Another hardware "fix" > would be to pull your video card and memory sticks and clean all the dust > from the contacts, then reinsert. > If your video is on the motherboard instead of a separate card, you may > still be able to install another card, which often automatically disables > the onboard video. >
Guest Malke Posted September 14, 2007 Posted September 14, 2007 Re: windows xp pro "no signal" then reboots maryc wrote: > happened again, this time got chance to send error message - received one > from microsoft suggesting "consider bios upgrade". couldnt determine exact > cause but noticed that bios system does not match spec for cpu etc. this is > a tiny pc of which nothing has been changed. I am only a basic user what to > do next? Sounds like hardware failure. Since you say you are a "basic user", take the machine to a professional computer repair shop. This will not be your local version of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad. Get recommendations from family, friends, and colleagues. Have all your data backed up before taking it into the shop (if possible). Malke -- Elephant Boy Computers http://www.elephantboycomputers.com "Don't Panic!" MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Guest maryc Posted September 14, 2007 Posted September 14, 2007 Re: windows xp pro "no signal" then reboots Thanks - is there nothing I can do in the meantime. I dont know of anyone personally and because they know that you dont, well I think I would rather buy a new unit! I have downloaded a file to determine the bios/processor -- maryc "Malke" wrote: > maryc wrote: > > happened again, this time got chance to send error message - received one > > from microsoft suggesting "consider bios upgrade". couldnt determine exact > > cause but noticed that bios system does not match spec for cpu etc. this is > > a tiny pc of which nothing has been changed. I am only a basic user what to > > do next? > > Sounds like hardware failure. Since you say you are a "basic user", take > the machine to a professional computer repair shop. This will not be > your local version of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad. Get recommendations > from family, friends, and colleagues. Have all your data backed up > before taking it into the shop (if possible). > > > Malke > -- > Elephant Boy Computers > http://www.elephantboycomputers.com > "Don't Panic!" > MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User >
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