Pc Virus??

sassybird

Yesterday evening my PC starded acting up. The screen started flicking on and off. Eventually it goes black and does not come back on. When I re-started the computer, on startup some of the letters on the screen were showing red. It starts up to the XP Screen and then the screen goes off again althought the base unit is showing still on.

I switched it off overnight and it started up ok this morning (no red letters) but after it had run for about 4 minutes the problem started up again.

I've tried starting it up and quickly running my AVG (free version) anti virus software, but this does not seem to keep going once the screen has gone black.

Also I've tried a system restore, but this also does not stop the problem.

Is there anything I can do, or do I have to take it to PC world and pay an extortionate price???

Luckily I've got my hubby's laptop, so I can contact you all and ask for advice - PLEASE HELP!! :eek:

chuckles1066

sounds like a monitor problem not a pc problem.

plug your monitor into your hubby's laptop (there should be the facility to do this)...........if the problem persists, it's definitely your monitor.

sassybird

Many thanks for your reply. I'll give that a go. I have another monitor in my son's room.

What about the red letters on startup though?

chuckles1066

red letters on warmup are typical symptoms of a monitor about to meet it's maker :-)

Browntoa

nows the time to buy that nice TFT screen

sassybird

Now you're really starting to cheer me up!! :-)

The day's starting to look a bit brighter.

I was convinced it was a virus. Will get onto the monitor change right away.

Will be back on later to let you know how it's gone.

Ta very muchly. 8-))

sassybird

Browntoa wrote:

nows the time to buy that nice TFT screen

Hopefully I'll be back later asking you all the best/cheapest screen to get at the moment. We've got a 19" screen at present. Any ideas?

Browntoa

i've no idea at the moment but I'm sure someone else will read this thread and let you know !!

aliasojo

I noticed an Acer 19" in Tesco last night for £180, but can't comment on how good or otherwise it would be.

chuckles1066

sassybird wrote:

Hopefully I'll be back later asking you all the best/cheapest screen to get at the moment. We've got a 19" screen at present. Any ideas?

Well a 19" CRT gives you probably a 17.8" viewable area so you could get Dell bargain 17" TFT with a full 17" viewable area (you won't miss the 0.8") for £126.

sassybird

HI PEEPS - IT'S ME AGAIN.

Have tried THREE different monitors on the pc and they're all playing the same on/off game.

I have tried the original monitor connected to the laptop and it is running fine.

I have realised that we had the graphics card changed on the pc a number of years ago because it was playing up (I think the symptoms were similar).

It seems that on the PC, it will work from cold until it has warmed-up for about 20 mins or so and then the problem starts.

I'm now thinking it may be the graphics card that's on the blink - what do you think?

Also, if I go and purchase a new graphics card will the pc (XP) recognise it automatically, or is it an absolute pain to replace?

Thanks to you all for advice.