Pute or Monitor?

David_Aston

That's it really guys.
eight year old Dell, running Visa. Similar age Samsung 204B monitor. On start up, the monitor either stays on a black screen, or cycles through a couple of grey screens. Up to now, have been able to force a startup by unplugging the monitor briefly from the mains, and plugging it back in again. Any ideas?

kwikbreaks

David_Aston wrote: »

Up to now, have been able to force a startup by unplugging the monitor briefly from the mains, and plugging it back in again. Any ideas?

That suggest's it's the monitor. Check what happens if you just unplug it from the computer and plug it back in. If that fixes it suspicion falls on the video card.

Does the pc appear to have been starting up while there was no video though? If not then it's up in air as to the culprit and you'd need to play the substitution game.

David_Aston

Thanks for your quick comments kwikbreaks. The computer appears to be running, from when I turn it on at the mains, and then press it's start up button. It is subsequently, how the monitor fails to produce it's log in page, without all the faffing about as per my op. The monitors on/off switch does stay illuminated through out the process. Indeed, it doesn't allow me to by-pass the unplugging process, as it won't turn off by using this button.

kwikbreaks

You could try entering your password and pressing enter after waiting until you are certain it should have asked. That way once the video is restored (by whatever means you are forced to use) you can see if the PC was hanging or if you just weren't seeing any video. In general machines don't need any monitor to start up so it would need to be some hardware hangup and I really doubt that it is that.

If you had access to another machine you could install teamviewer on both and check what was happening from the other pc - you may have to set it up to bypass password on startup too for that to work. In truth it's a lot of faffing about - better to borrow another monitor if you can. Failing that I've seen monitors at car boots for ~ £5 from time to time.

David_Aston

Thanks again kb.
I have been entering the password while the screen is being uncooperative. When it does appear, it does show the logged in screen.

My other relatively recent posts would show you that I have been considering a replacement computer for a while. Perhaps, sooner rather than later, and of course to include another monitor!

However, maybe replacement double glazing should take priority!!

Le_Kirk

David_Aston wrote: »

However, maybe replacement double glazing should take priority!!

At least that will be Windows and no one can suggest Linux!!

esuhl

Yeah -- it definitely sounds like the monitor's faulty.

David_Aston wrote: »

However, maybe replacement double glazing should take priority!!

Sounds like you've been booting Windows too much.

David_Aston

Brilliant quips guys! Thanks for the smile.

bluesnake

Le_Kirk wrote: »

At least that will be Windows and no one can suggest Linux!!

Funny enough I was going to suggest a cd or usb bootable version of Linux, just in case the windows drivers/refresh rates are messed up.

I have been entering the password while the screen is being uncooperative. When it does appear, it does show the logged in screen.

Does appear ....Logged in screen??? Take them both to a friends house and individually try their monitor on your pc, and your pc on their monitor.

Strider590

Sounds like the classic bulged 1000uF monitor power supply capacitors, easy to change DIY, but for what it'd cost to get repaired most people would opt for a new monitor.

Chino

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR4sn4cuPdM