Idle computer won't wake up

[Bill Pine]

I'd like a suggestion where to start with this problem.

I'm running XP Home SP2, currently updated.

My four-year old Samsung SyncMaster 753DF monitor won't wake up from an idle
or asleep condition when I strike a key or mouse button. This is a new
behavior. Since I don't know whether I've got a monitor problem, a video
card problem, or a Windows problem, here's my guess about some useful
information.

My power options are "Turn off monitor after 20 minutes," Turn off hard
disks never," and "System standby never."

My six-month old video card, NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200, is working according to
Windows Device Manager.

Thanks,

Bill Pine

 

[Malke]

I'd like a suggestion where to start with this problem.

I'm running XP Home SP2, currently updated.

My four-year old Samsung SyncMaster 753DF monitor won't wake up from an idle
or asleep condition when I strike a key or mouse button. This is a new
behavior. Since I don't know whether I've got a monitor problem, a video
card problem, or a Windows problem, here's my guess about some useful
information.

My power options are "Turn off monitor after 20 minutes," Turn off hard
disks never," and "System standby never."

My six-month old video card, NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200, is working according to
Windows Device Manager.

The best way to troubleshoot whether the problem is the monitor or the
computer is to connect to a different monitor. If the problems are gone,
then you know the Samsung is dying and needs to be replaced. OTOH if the
problems occur while connected to a different, known-good monitor then
you need to look at the computer. If you don't have a second monitor for
testing, take the machine to a friend's house or to a local computer
shop (not a BigStoreUSA type of place).

Malke