"no signal"

[Not a computer expert]

hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was working, the
screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting, and always
somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon thereafter, the same
thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes blank. only thing
that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then, often but not
always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i move my mouse.
what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files to a backup hard
drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is it a video card
problem or a software problem?

 

[JS]

hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was working,
the
screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting, and always
somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon thereafter, the
same
thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes blank. only thing
that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then, often but not
always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i move my
mouse.
what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files to a backup hard
drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is it a video card
problem or a software problem?

Check your cable from the graphics card to the
monitor, connectors could be loose.

Next check to see if the graphics card is not loose.
You will need to remove the case cover to see if the
card is fully inserted and the retaining screw is not loose.

With the AC power cable removed, try removing the
graphics card and then re-inserting it. If the card has a
cooling fan does it spin freely, not clogged with dust.
Also if the card has an power connect located at rear,
remove and reseat the cable/connector that runs from
the card to the power supply.

Then connect the AC power cable and try rebooting.

Check for dust bunnies while you have the case cover off.

If you have not replaced the CMOS battery in 5 years its
time to put a fresh one in.

Also try installing the latest driver for card from the manufactures
web site.

If all of the above fails to solve the problem then the graphics card
may need to be replaced.

 

[Brian A.]

hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was working,
the screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting, and
always somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon thereafter,
the same thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes blank.
only thing that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then, often
but not always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i move
my mouse. what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files to a
backup hard drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is it a
video card problem or a software problem?

To add to the suggestions from JS, another cause could be that the power
supply is on its way out. If the PS doesn't provide the proper voltage
output, it can still be possible there's enough power to operate some
components but not all of them. If you can enter the BIOS you may be able
to check the voltages if it's available under one of the tabs, although
AFAIK what's reported/shown isn't always 100% accurate it's not that far
off. If it reports/shows any of the voltage at a significant difference
than what the PS output is, you should check the voltage(s) with a volt
meter or a PS tester, or you could swap out the PS with a known good working
one to rule out if it's bad or not.

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Does another monitor work OK?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was working, the
screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting, and always
somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon thereafter, the same
thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes blank. only thing
that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then, often but not
always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i move my mouse.
what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files to a backup hard
drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is it a video card
problem or a software problem?

If JS's and Brian A's suggestions don't help, the next thing to try is
a borrowed monitor or try yours on a friend's computer. If another
monitor works OK, or yours fails on a friend's computer, you need to
replace your monitor. If the borrowed monitor fails, you probably need
to replace your video card.

 

[jinxy]

If JS's and Brian A's suggestions don't help, the next thing to try is
a borrowed monitor or try yours on a friend's computer. If another
monitor works OK, or yours fails on a friend's computer, you need to
replace your monitor. If the borrowed monitor fails, you probably need
to replace your video card.

If the bios has onboard video turned off because the vid card is now
the default, try turning the onboard back on and see what happens. If
it works and the monitior lights up the you know it's the vid card.
-J

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

[There's that echo again! <w>]

If JS's and Brian A's suggestions don't help, the next thing to try is
a borrowed monitor or try yours on a friend's computer. If another
monitor works OK, or yours fails on a friend's computer, you need to
replace your monitor. If the borrowed monitor fails, you probably need
to replace your video card.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

[There's that echo again! <w>]

I saw your message after I sent mine. Sorry.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

S*** happens, no worries

[There's that echo again! <w>]

I saw your message after I sent mine. Sorry.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

S*** happens, no worries

Not to mention that saying the same thing as someone else reinforces
that point of view, which can be valuable. And saying it a slightly
different way may also be helpful to the person with the problem.

[There's that echo again! <w>]

I saw your message after I sent mine. Sorry.

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was
working,
the screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting, and
always somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon
thereafter,
the same thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes blank.
only thing that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then,
often
but not always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i
move
my mouse. what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files to
a
backup hard drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is it
a
video card problem or a software problem?



If JS's and Brian A's suggestions don't help, the next thing to try is
a borrowed monitor or try yours on a friend's computer. If another
monitor works OK, or yours fails on a friend's computer, you need to
replace your monitor. If the borrowed monitor fails, you probably need
to replace your video card.

 

[db]

I agree with your
assessment.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

S*** happens, no worries

Not to mention that saying the same thing as someone else reinforces
that point of view, which can be valuable. And saying it a slightly
different way may also be helpful to the person with the problem.

On Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:54:53 -0400, "PA Bear [MS MVP]"

[There's that echo again! <w>]



I saw your message after I sent mine. Sorry.



Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was
working,
the screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting, and
always somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon
thereafter,
the same thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes blank.
only thing that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then,
often
but not always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i
move
my mouse. what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files to
a
backup hard drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is it
a
video card problem or a software problem?



If JS's and Brian A's suggestions don't help, the next thing to try is
a borrowed monitor or try yours on a friend's computer. If another
monitor works OK, or yours fails on a friend's computer, you need to
replace your monitor. If the borrowed monitor fails, you probably need
to replace your video card.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Yes, unless the OP never returns to read the replies to his/her post (which
may be the case here).

S*** happens, no worries

Not to mention that saying the same thing as someone else reinforces
that point of view, which can be valuable. And saying it a slightly
different way may also be helpful to the person with the problem.

On Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:54:53 -0400, "PA Bear [MS MVP]"

[There's that echo again! <w>]



I saw your message after I sent mine. Sorry.



Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was
working,
the screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting, and
always somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon
thereafter,
the same thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes
blank.
only thing that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then,
often
but not always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i
move
my mouse. what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files
to
a
backup hard drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is
it
a
video card problem or a software problem?



If JS's and Brian A's suggestions don't help, the next thing to try is
a borrowed monitor or try yours on a friend's computer. If another
monitor works OK, or yours fails on a friend's computer, you need to
replace your monitor. If the borrowed monitor fails, you probably need
to replace your video card.

 

[JS]

Yes, unfortunately that happens all too often,
but sometime the person who posted just can't
get back to read the replies until later in the day
or the next day sometimes.

But this grasshopper always likes to chomp on
a blade or two of your lawn ;-)

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com

Yes, unless the OP never returns to read the replies to his/her post
(which may be the case here).

S*** happens, no worries

Not to mention that saying the same thing as someone else reinforces
that point of view, which can be valuable. And saying it a slightly
different way may also be helpful to the person with the problem.

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
On Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:54:53 -0400, "PA Bear [MS MVP]"

[There's that echo again! <w>]



I saw your message after I sent mine. Sorry.



Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was
working,
the screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting,
and
always somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon
thereafter,
the same thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes
blank.
only thing that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then,
often
but not always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i
move
my mouse. what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files
to
a
backup hard drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is
it
a
video card problem or a software problem?



If JS's and Brian A's suggestions don't help, the next thing to try
is
a borrowed monitor or try yours on a friend's computer. If another
monitor works OK, or yours fails on a friend's computer, you need to
replace your monitor. If the borrowed monitor fails, you probably
need
to replace your video card.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Yes, unless the OP never returns to read the replies to his/her post (which
may be the case here).

That's certainly true. We never know.

S*** happens, no worries

Not to mention that saying the same thing as someone else reinforces
that point of view, which can be valuable. And saying it a slightly
different way may also be helpful to the person with the problem.

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
On Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:54:53 -0400, "PA Bear [MS MVP]"

[There's that echo again! <w>]



I saw your message after I sent mine. Sorry.



Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
hoping someone can help.

have not had a problem in 5 years with xp. yesterday, as i was
working,
the screen went blank with a no signal message. tried rebooting, and
always somewhere along the way either before i log in or soon
thereafter,
the same thing happens. the pc's lights are on but screen goes
blank.
only thing that works is if i reboot in "safe mode"; and even then,
often
but not always, the screen starts getting colored dots all over as i
move
my mouse. what is the problem? in safe mode i can still copy files
to
a
backup hard drive so it doesn't seem like a hard drive problem. is
it
a
video card problem or a software problem?



If JS's and Brian A's suggestions don't help, the next thing to try is
a borrowed monitor or try yours on a friend's computer. If another
monitor works OK, or yours fails on a friend's computer, you need to
replace your monitor. If the borrowed monitor fails, you probably need
to replace your video card.