Windows XP blank-screen problem

[Dan Bock]

I have a two-year-old Compaq laptop. A few weeks ago it started having
an occasional problem. The screen would go black, for two or three
seconds at a time, then come back. It looked like when the computer
turns off the screen when it's been idle for 15 minutes or whatever I
have it set to. Except this would happen when I was sitting right there
working, not idle. After the screen came back on, the computer would
work fine. When this started, it happened maybe once an hour, but it
got more frequent. Yesterday it was happening maybe once every ten
minutes or less. Also, not as frequently, the screen would get fuzzy
for a few seconds at a time. Today the computer wouldn't start up in
normal mode - I'm in safe mode.

So, where do I begin? How do I figure out how to fix this?

 

[Brian A.]

Three things come to mind, in order:

Try uninstalling/reinstalling your video drivers.
Take it to a qualified repair service.
Have it hit the bricks and purchase a new one.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts:
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Brian A.]

Sorry, make that 4 and list this one first: Check/change the battery.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts:
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Dan Bock]

Well the battery has been dead for months. It won't hold a charge at
all, not even for one second. So I only use the computer when it's
plugged in.

 

[Roberto]

I have a two-year-old Compaq laptop. A few weeks ago it started having
an occasional problem. The screen would go black, for two or three
seconds at a time, then come back. It looked like when the computer
turns off the screen when it's been idle for 15 minutes or whatever I
have it set to. Except this would happen when I was sitting right there
working, not idle. After the screen came back on, the computer would
work fine. When this started, it happened maybe once an hour, but it
got more frequent. Yesterday it was happening maybe once every ten
minutes or less. Also, not as frequently, the screen would get fuzzy
for a few seconds at a time. Today the computer wouldn't start up in
normal mode - I'm in safe mode.

So, where do I begin? How do I figure out how to fix this?

Could be a failing backlight, take it to a competent repair centre.

rgds
Roberto

 

[Drew Tognola]

Dan,

Possibly a bad power supply.

Drew

Could be a failing backlight, take it to a competent repair centre.

rgds
Roberto