computer problem-what causes this?

whizzkid_3

hi,
my girlfriends sister has a new computer which has just been connected to talktalk broadband.
it is working fine most of the time but sometimes the screen goes black and a red box appears saying there is no input signal.

does anyone have any ideas on how to stop this or even why it is happening at all?

thankyou

albertross_2

Loose video (vga) cable, or dodgy graphics card.

cledor

It could be the screen saver / power saving settings. Right click on an empty part of the desktop, then choose properties.

whizzkid_3

unfortunately it doesn't seem to be any of these!

think it needs to go back to pcworld unless anyone can think of anything else

sho_me_da_money

Personally i think its an issue between the cable and/or video card as the first reply suggests.

To determine the culprit,

I would first of try connecting a different monitor to the machine and see how that goes.

If the error doesnt come up, then you have found the cause to your problem - The monitor.

If the error does come up, change the video card and reconnect the original monitor back to the machine and see how that goes.

If the error doesn't come up, you have found the problem - The Graphics card.

If the error does come up then i would try a different video card and differnet monitor connected to the machine and see how that goes.

If it works you have narrowed down the culprit BOTH - video card and monitor.

If the error comes back up - then it's something else.

Thanks Soul, no problem.

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

If you know for sure that the graphics card is connected correctly and the vga cable is connected properly then it's likely there is a break in the vga cable.

maninwhitecoat

Yah, i agree, that message you are getting is a message from the monitor telling you it isn't plugged into anything.