Visat 64 bit freezes switching users

[DeeDub]

Friends,

The computer is less than 2 months old. We have four Users accounts set up
on the computer and they are all setup as Administrators. When we switch
between users the computer freezes up. The computer screen goes blank and a
"NO SIGNAL" comes on the screen. I have to press the power button and the
computer shuts down and then I can restart it. It happens every time. If I
select the Start button then "Switch Users" it will go to the user I select
but when I try to switch back the computers freezes, no mouse, no cursor, no
key board, it flashes No Signal and then just a blank screen.

I have restored windows to earlier configurations, I have researched the
problem on the internet through Google, I have gone to Microsoft's web site
and searched for the answer and I have contacted Gateway and they had no
idea.

I created a Recovery Disk, backup all my settings and files, installed the
recovery Disk and restored all the backup files, reinstalled all the
programs and I still have the same problem.

My Computer:
Manufacturer: Gateway
Model: DX4200-09
Rating: 3.7
Processor: AMD Phenom 9150e Quad Core Processor 1.80 GHz
Memory: 4.0GB
System Type: 64 Bit Operating System
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit

 

[RalfG]

On an off chance that the monitor is being sent an incompatible signal at
some point during the User change sequence, double check that you have a
driver file for your specific monitor installed. In the Advanced Display
settings, on the Monitor tab put a check mark in the box labelled Hide modes
that this monitor cannot display.

The "No Signal" notice indicates that the monitor has stopped receiving a
usable video signal from the computer. If the video card has dual output
capability it might be switching the video signal to a second non-connected
output port on the card when you change users. I've only ever seen
something similar happen (default display switched to secondary monitor
after a reboot) when the video card driver was messed up but it is a
possibility. Connecting a second monitor would show if that was what is
happening when you change users. A clean reinstall of the video card drivers
should fix it in that scenario.

Otherwise, if the same problem also happens after a fresh system recovery
but before you reinstall any of your user files suspect defective hardware.
If it only exhibits the symptom after you restore your user files then it
could be a malware infection or software (including drivers) conflict of
some sort causing the problem.

 

[DeeDub]

I am grateful for your input. When you mentioned duel inputs on the the
video card it struck a nerve. I checked and you were right. When we would
switch users the video card would switch from the HDMI to the VGA output. I
plugged in the VGA cable and it works fine. It switches between users
without problems.

I asked Gateway for a new video card and low and behold it is part of the
mother board. I have to change the mother board.

There are a couple of slots looks like a PCI and a AGP slot. Is it possible
to disable the onboard video card and install a new one in the slot? Or
should I install a new mother board?

 

[Tae Song]

I would get a new video card.

I am grateful for your input. When you mentioned duel inputs on the the
video card it struck a nerve. I checked and you were right. When we would
switch users the video card would switch from the HDMI to the VGA output.
I
plugged in the VGA cable and it works fine. It switches between users
without problems.

I asked Gateway for a new video card and low and behold it is part of the
mother board. I have to change the mother board.

There are a couple of slots looks like a PCI and a AGP slot. Is it
possible
to disable the onboard video card and install a new one in the slot? Or
should I install a new mother board?

 

[RalfG]

I am grateful for your input. When you mentioned duel inputs on the the
video card it struck a nerve. I checked and you were right. When we would
switch users the video card would switch from the HDMI to the VGA output.
I
plugged in the VGA cable and it works fine. It switches between users
without problems.

I asked Gateway for a new video card and low and behold it is part of the
mother board. I have to change the mother board.

There are a couple of slots looks like a PCI and a AGP slot. Is it
possible
to disable the onboard video card and install a new one in the slot? Or
should I install a new mother board?

You should be able to install a video card. I'd try and find out if this
video switching problem is a chronic issue with that model of motherboard
and decide which way to go based on that. If going through the hassle of a
motherboard change could leave you with exactly the same issue then it may
be just as well to skip it and just install a new card. Add-in video cards
usually out-perform the on-board graphics adapters anyway. Check in the
computer owners manual/motherboard BIOS for the settings to enable/disable
the on-board video adapter before booting up with the new card installed.

Some things to do before buying a video card... Check the Gateway
motherboard or owners manual to find out what type of slot it has available
for an add in video card. It might be VGA or it could be PCI-Express, which
is becoming the new norm. Neither type is compatible with each other or with
regular PCI cards/slots. A regular PCI video card is also an option if you
have a spare PCI slot but these days the variety of available PCI video
cards is fairly limited. Check the computer's power supply rating before
buying any video card. Many of the new cards and pretty much all of the
higher performance video cards require the PS to be rated at more than
300Watts.