Is my computer dying????

Miró

Problems have escalated from niggly to major over the last few weeks!

When booting up my screen (Acer TFT) keeps flashing on and off, frequently displaying 'No signal'. This can happen for dozens of time until it eventually, (usually), settles down. Sometimes in the middle of all the flashing on and off...the system re-boots itself. Sometimes I get that blue screen saying there has been a serious error and things have shut down to protect the system. I have also been getting the 'Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and must close' message a lot too. All in all it can now take up to half an hour to get things stable and working when switching on and it is a right pain as well as a worry! I have done all the obvious things, (well, obvious to me!), like checking leads and connections, updating drivers, running security checks... Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be and if it is fixable?

I am running XP + SP2 with all updates, firewalled, AVG, Spybot, Adaware, Spywareblaster, Windows Defender, defrag frequently and DiscClean

Many thanks in advance for any thoughts

albertross_2

have you checked both ends of the video cable

loudcox

Sounds as though your graphics card might need reseating. It's quite simple to do:

1) Disconnect the PC from the mains
2) Discharge any static you may have built up. You can easily to this by touching a radiator. (Unless you're going to be thrashing around on a nylon carpet there's no need to wear an earthing strap)
3) Unscrew the side of the PC.
4) Find the card that's connected to the monitor cable. It'll either be held in place by a philips screw or a thumb-clip. Detach the monitor cable.
5) Unscrew or unclip the graphics card from its bay
6) Fully remove the card, then place it back into the same slot. It's easiest to line up the long slot first and then worry about the small T bit that slides down the back of the motherboard.
7) Remember to screw it back in place.
8) Reattach the monitor cable
9) Reseat the cable at the monitor end as well (if it's detachable).

loudcox

Also, the startup problem might be to do with the number of anti-virus and anti-spyware products you've got installed. You should only have one firewall, one anti-virus, one anti-spyware. Be aware that some products cover more than one area.

spud17

You should only have one firewall, one anti-virus, one anti-spyware.

One anti-virus, yes.
One firewall, yes.
One anti-spyware, better to have more than one, different modes of action will result in better detection.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269

Miró

Erm.....

albertross: Yes I've checked all leads/cables/connectors

loudcox: Eeek, I thought I had only one firewall and anti-virus?? As for 're-seating the graphics card'....OMG that sounds seriously scary!!! (And I don't have a radiator!)

albertross_2

if the lead is in, and no bent pins in the connector, then it sounds like a graphics card problem

if the vga connector on the motherboard (main board in pc), or a daughterboard (smaller boards plugged into motherboard)?

Miró

albertross wrote: »

if the lead is in, and no bent pins in the connector, then it sounds like a graphics card problem

if the vga connector on the motherboard (main board in pc), or a daughterboard (smaller boards plugged into motherboard)?

Oh dearie me...I have no idea...sorry am not at all techie:o
It was a 'package deal' thingy, Packard Bell with nVidia GeForce 4 MX 440 64MB DDR....is now about 5 yrs old. Have made no changes at all recently to account for malfunction?

Should also have mentioned that I have been getting some really bizarre and untrue colours showing on screen at times too.

If it is the graphics card...are things likely to go pffft at any moment???
*Gulp*

loudcox

Definitely your graphics card / cable / or monitor

Have you checked the cable? It's generally blue at both ends. Just try removing it and putting back into the same slot. This is about as technical as plugging in a kettle!

albertross_2

Are you sure you have checked both ends of the vga (video) cable for bent pins, and reconnected it without screwing in too hard, funny colours is usually lead/pins related, as is "No signal".

Miró

:j OMG...OMG...OMG :j

Just switched off and unplugged the vga cable, (yep, blue at both ends:rolleyes:) checked the pins...all looked pukka, put the plugs back carefully, switched on...and...and...no flashing :eek: and no strangel colours:eek:

Sshhhh...early days praps but I am soooooo happy...thank you all so very much for your help :T

(Can't understand it though as nothing has been unplugged for over a year!)