HELP PLEASE! : pixilated dots on black screen...is there anything I can do?

jenniewb

Really worried about this because I can't afford a computer MOT or any help that costs money. I am up to my eye balls in bills and can't take out any credit.

I turned on my computer to find what I recognise to be a diagnostic screen. No idea why, I usually get a log in screen.

I tried to exit the screen, the mouse and keyboard worked and I selected to 'exit'. I got a pop up asking me if I wanted to restore and reset (can't recall tyethe exact terminology)clicked 'yes' after scouring around to see if anything else was possible to get out of the diagnostic page, it did seem like my only option. IveI've no idea why the diagnostic page was even up in the first place.

The computer turnes itself off.

I turned it back on expecting to log on as normal but after the usual boot-up screen the page stayed black but with tgethe additiomaddition of many coloucoloured digital dots. Never seen this before! The curser is at the top of the screen but wont respond to tge keyboard, there is no mouse.

It looks dead. I'm really worried; its only just 3 years old and was not cheap. It's no longer in warranty and I havw no way to fix it financially. I need this computer and am really scared its broken for good. It was only a few weeks ago I had memory stick issues and now this! I'm really worried and have no idea what to do or if there is anything I can do.

If anyone has any options I would be extremely extremely grateful.

jenniewb

Ps, apologies for the typos, I'm trying to write this all on a phone and can only view part of the box I am typing in.

bluesnake

A vague request. It would have been good if you gave us the computer manufacturer and model no and the OS version.

It still could be a memory (ram) issue, but this is doubtful.

3 years - Apple? Apple on some of its products, if they had faulty parts installed (hard drives), then apple may still repair your PC for free as they did this for my local takeaway on their 5 year old imac.

Think the diagnostic screen pops up on the apple when the batteries are flat too.

You really need to write down all the correct error messages as they appear on the screen too.

Copy off your data, if you still can.

stator

Please take a photo of your screen and post it on there so we can see.

The BIOS/'diagnostic' screen does come up when the battery runs out, which is very cheap to replace if you do it yourself, you just need to take the cover off and find where it is. But it could also mean it detected a hardware change and wants you to check the settings. If you post the specs of your computer and some screenshots from the BIOS people could suggest if anything needs changing.

jenniewb

Ok so the computer is purpose built by Novatech for myself in June 2013.

It has lost a memory card due to it being faulty, only has 4 of space.

I can't seem to submit any pictures here, I'm on my phone, the screen looks like something out of the 1970s or 1980s, pixilated patters of dots on a black screen.
Being that I get the normal boot up screen (Novatech logo and boot up options (none respond to key taps but they never have done) I am doubtful its a monitor issue.

Spoke to a company rep who advised to get it to them to be repaired. Will be doing this after trying to mess with the graphics card (with instructions via phone) and getting nowhere.

Looks like I'm going to have no computer for a while not sure how I handle no computer; everything from email to my TV and radio happens by computer, I pretty much have no other media other than a dated mobile phone. I can't get a new one.

Sorry for the typos, I have no way to see as I type as there is a good 10-30 second delay to when I type a key and when I see anything on the mobile screen and its a nightmare to use! (Though right now I'm grateful I have anything at all)

jenniewb

Ok so the computer is purpose built by Novatech for myself in June 2013.

It has lost a memory card due to it being faulty, only has 4 of space.

I can't seem to submit any pictures here, I'm on my phone, the screen looks like something out of the 1970s or 1980s, pixilated patters of dots on a black screen.
Being that I get the normal boot up screen (Novatech logo and boot up options (none respond to key taps but they never have done) I am doubtful its a monitor issue.

Spoke to a company rep who advised to get it to them to be repaired. Will be doing this after trying to mess with the graphics card (with instructions via phone) and getting nowhere.

Looks like I'm going to have no computer for a while not sure how I handle no computer; everything from email to my TV and radio happens by computer, I pretty much have no other media other than a dated mobile phone. I can't get a new one.

Sorry for the typos, I have no way to see as I type as there is a good 10-30 second delay to when I type a key and when I see anything on the mobile screen and its a nightmare to use! (Though right now I'm grateful I have anything at all)

jenniewb

bluesnake wrote: »

A vague request. It would have been good if you gave us the computer manufacturer and model no and the OS version.

It still could be a memory (ram) issue, but this is doubtful.

3 years - Apple? Apple on some of its products, if they had faulty parts installed (hard drives), then apple may still repair your PC for free as they did this for my local takeaway on their 5 year old imac.

Think the diagnostic screen pops up on the apple when the batteries are flat too.

You really need to write down all the correct error messages as they appear on the screen too.

Copy off your data, if you still can.

Error messages would be a great thing, I don't get anything after the logo white type on black screen. I don't get a diagnostic screen I don't get that far before the screen changes to ...something else

Am going to apply for a loan or credit card to pay for it to be taken away and fixed. No other option from what I can see.

jenniewb

OK so to update this!

I managed to find someone to look at the computer for free I am really grateful for this because it did look as though the initial cost even to have the computer looked at, after insured delivery and return was over £50 and then further if there were any parts to be repaired.

The computer is now running fine- I am very very relieved about this! The reason we think it was not working properly could be due to the memory sticks upsetting the bios (or something like that!) on the computer and any new updates were unable to be added. I was getting a broken looking screen when I turned on because the computer was trying to update itself after installing updated software but was unable to complete the update so I wasn't able to use the computer because the updates were causing it to crash.

The computer at first on being able to complete the updates did appear to work properly for about half an hour, then started to turn itself on and off and on and off again (about 5 seconds a time) so if you recognise your PC doing this it could be worth looking at the battery or resetting the bios (these are terms I just about understand so please forgive my ignorance if what I am saying sounds stupid; I am trying to feed back what I think I heard because I want to be able to help others who may be having similar issues, my thoughts are in a decent place if my words aren't!)

The problem was remedied by removing the battery (to reset the bios) by manually removing it from the tower and waiting for about 10 minutes and then replacing everything, magically it worked perfectly after doing this (so far at least!)

I am just crossing my fingers now in hope that it wont break down again because I don't think my nerves can tolerate it!
I can go without most forms of technology (I have no TV, I did without a mobile phone several years before it proved pretty essential to have one (dodgy ISP/landline supplier plus immediate health issues are not a good mix), I have had my radio break down for weeks and managed, my internet has gone down for days/a week more times than I can remember and I don't have an internet signal unless through BB and I also don't have a tablet). I have even had my heating not work for an entire winter and manage all of these things. I can't cope very well without my computer.
Much of the time it can be my only form of communication and is invaluable to me.

I am really really relieved and very grateful that it works again and wanted to report back in case anyone has the same or similar issue and was also grasping at straws at what else to try.