Severe issue

[kefkarz]

Okay, some background: my system...

Intel P4 516 2.93Ghz 1MB C 533 FSB Socket 775
Intel D945PSNLK Socket 775 Motherboard
Corsair Value Select 512MB PC4200 DDR2 x3
Ultra 500w V-Series PSU
Radeon X700 128mb graphics card
WD 250gb HDD
generic DVD/CDROM
generic keyboard/mouse
M-Audio Audiophile USB sound card

Anyway, the other day I was using the computer when it froze. I reset,
and although the comp itself booted, nothing displayed on the monitor.
This happened every time I reset (12-15 times), so I powered down,
turned off the surge protector, and went to bed.
The next day, I tried again, and it booted up just fine - until the
Win XP boot screen, whereupon the monitor froze -- but oddly, the
computer booted up as if nothing was wrong. Just, the display was
stuck.
So I bought a new monitor. Still the same thing.

The longer I leave the power off before rebooting, the longer it goes
before the monitor locks up, thus why I'm suspecting the PSU.

And please, don't suggest things like 'did you try reseating
-component?' or anything else obvious, because I've tried it. I have
not tried a different graphics card due to me being kinda broke and
not wanting to spend $200+ on something if I don't absolutely have
to. It's not a bad connection, it's definitely a hardware failure of
some kind. I get no error beeps or anything, so it's hard to pinpoint
the problem. Thanks for any help.

 

[JAD]

if you have removed everything except the nessasary compontents for booting
and the problem persist, it usually points to a major component such as the
PSU or HD(cable, although they don't usually 'go bad' more often its the
first boot scenario). make sure all USB has been disconnected and that OB
sound hasn't been enabled by chance while your USB sound is still
connected..

 

[w_tom]

I am completely confused by what this means:

it booted up just fine - until the Win XP boot screen,
whereupon the monitor froze -- but oddly, the computer
booted up as if nothing was wrong. Just, the display was
stuck.

If the "monitor froze" then the entire computer froze. Equivalent
would be that your TV froze on a picture but a TV station kept
broadcasting the movie. Your monitor simply receives a broadcast from
a TV station called your computer. The 'movie' playing on that
computer is Windows XP.

So how does either a TV receiver or a monitor 'freeze'?

TV station transmitter is called a video display card or video
controller. If the 'movie' froze, did transmitter (video controller)
fail or did Windows (the movie) fail? Using information provided, we
cannot even guess. (and if money is so dear, then why did you waste it
on a monitor without first collecting facts).

Numerous and essential facts should have been collected. If computer
is from a responsible manufacturer, then manufacturer provides
comprehensive diagnostics - for free. Ohterwise go to component
manufacturers for their diagnostics. Run diagnostics to test only
hardware - without complications from Windows. IOW break a problem
down into parts. Analyze each part - separately. Do not even attempt
to load Windows until hardware is first confirmed good.

Other useful information may exist in system (event) logs found in
all Windows NT operating systems. Use Help, if necessary to find that
historical information.

Video controller is another computer (yes, even the disk drive is an
embedded computer). Touch ICs on that video controller. Any that are
too hot will harm skin. If not, then heat is not be an issue. However
defective ICs on a video controller will fail or become intermittent
when warm - not hot enought to harm skin but fail anyway. Heat is not a
problem. Heat is another diagnostic tool. If video controller is
defective, then applying a hair dryer on high directly to that video
controller may recreate the problem.

Above are some first steps to break the problem down into parts -
then analyze those parts.

BTW, some useful functions occur when pressing F2, F5, F8, or F10
when system first boots. Your problem is due to lack of useful
information.

 

[Mike T.]

Okay, some background: my system...

Intel P4 516 2.93Ghz 1MB C 533 FSB Socket 775
Intel D945PSNLK Socket 775 Motherboard
Corsair Value Select 512MB PC4200 DDR2 x3
Ultra 500w V-Series PSU
Radeon X700 128mb graphics card
WD 250gb HDD
generic DVD/CDROM
generic keyboard/mouse
M-Audio Audiophile USB sound card

Anyway, the other day I was using the computer when it froze. I reset,
and although the comp itself booted, nothing displayed on the monitor.
This happened every time I reset (12-15 times), so I powered down,
turned off the surge protector, and went to bed.
The next day, I tried again, and it booted up just fine - until the
Win XP boot screen, whereupon the monitor froze -- but oddly, the
computer booted up as if nothing was wrong. Just, the display was
stuck.
So I bought a new monitor. Still the same thing.

The longer I leave the power off before rebooting, the longer it goes
before the monitor locks up, thus why I'm suspecting the PSU.

And please, don't suggest things like 'did you try reseating
-component?' or anything else obvious, because I've tried it. I have
not tried a different graphics card due to me being kinda broke and
not wanting to spend $200+ on something if I don't absolutely have
to. It's not a bad connection, it's definitely a hardware failure of
some kind. I get no error beeps or anything, so it's hard to pinpoint
the problem. Thanks for any help.

OK, this could be caused by any one of four different bad components, in
this specific order:
Power supply
RAM
Video card
Motherboard

Most likely suspect (by far) is the power supply. But you can eliminate RAM
as a suspect without spending any money. If I read right, you've got three
sticks of RAM. Remove two of them, and put the 3rd in a different slot.
For example, remove sticks 2 and 3, and install stick 1 in the slot where
stick 3 was. If that doesn't help, take out the ONE stick and install a
different stick. If that still doesn't help, then you can cross off RAM
from your list of likely suspects. The video card or motherboard (either
one) could be bad, but that's a longshot. So if you can rule out RAM as the
problem, then there is at least a 75% chance that you are looking at a bad
PSU, which is what you were starting to suspect anyway. -Dave

 

[tom hunt]

Okay, some background: my system...

Intel P4 516 2.93Ghz 1MB C 533 FSB Socket 775
Intel D945PSNLK Socket 775 Motherboard
Corsair Value Select 512MB PC4200 DDR2 x3
Ultra 500w V-Series PSU
Radeon X700 128mb graphics card
WD 250gb HDD
generic DVD/CDROM
generic keyboard/mouse
M-Audio Audiophile USB sound card

Anyway, the other day I was using the computer when it froze. I reset,
and although the comp itself booted, nothing displayed on the monitor.
This happened every time I reset (12-15 times), so I powered down,
turned off the surge protector, and went to bed.
The next day, I tried again, and it booted up just fine - until the
Win XP boot screen, whereupon the monitor froze -- but oddly, the
computer booted up as if nothing was wrong. Just, the display was
stuck.
So I bought a new monitor. Still the same thing.

The longer I leave the power off before rebooting, the longer it goes
before the monitor locks up, thus why I'm suspecting the PSU.

And please, don't suggest things like 'did you try reseating
-component?' or anything else obvious, because I've tried it. I have
not tried a different graphics card due to me being kinda broke and
not wanting to spend $200+ on something if I don't absolutely have
to. It's not a bad connection, it's definitely a hardware failure of
some kind. I get no error beeps or anything, so it's hard to pinpoint
the problem. Thanks for any help.

If you bought a monitor because of a freezing problem you are clueless.
Take it to a professional before you hurt yourself.

tom