Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: CPitalo on June 18, 2009, 09:57:11 PM
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Hi, there.
I've been experiencing this problem for several weeks now and it's quite annoying. After several minutes of operating normally, the 'hardware connection' sound clip is played and the monitor goes dark. The monitor acts as if the computer is in standby and it cannot be brought out of this.. even though the computer is still on and functioning normally.
The only way I can seem to reset this is through pulling the power cable from the tower. Even at that, the computer only resets after about five to six pullings-out of the cable. Once Windows loads, wash, rinse and repeat. I've only had luck running the computer in Safe Mode, as I am right now. I've rolled back my video card drivers, I've upgraded them, checked the cables.. nothing seems to help. My system specs are as posted:
Dell XPS710
Intel Core2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13 Ghz
2 GB RAM
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3
Dual nVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS cards (driver 6.14.11.8618 - 06/10/09)
DirectX 9.0c
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Once Windows loads, wash, rinse and repeat.
uh, did you remember to add fabric softener, and be sure to only tumble dry on low heat ;D
Nice looking computer...It kind of looks like one of those portable living room heaters.. ::)
Anyway, could you describe the "hardware connection sound clip" a little better...not exactly sure what you mean...
Have you looked inside the computer lately? Is there any dust that needs to be blown out? It seems like you've tried everything.......If it is going into hibernation or standby, you might be able to prevent it...Check here: START>control panel>Display>Screen Saver tab>Under "monitor power", click the "power" button, under "power schemes" tab & under "settings for presentation power scheme", make sure all those settings are set to "NEVER" Be sure to click the "APPLY" button after changing the settings. Like I said, this will not correct the problem of not being able to come out of hibernation or standby, but it will prevent your PC from entering either one, period..
Most likely, there are settings for your video card as well....LOOK in Control Panel for your video card settings...
If all else fails, you could just reinstall your OS, because the monitor works in safe mode, so the problem is NOT with the monitor...The problem exists between the video card driver and Operation system
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Thanks for the reply! Yeah, it does look like a space heater.. ;D
Anyway, the sound byte could best be described as 'badunk' for a connection and 'dadunk' for a disconnection. Plug something into USB.. the sound it makes is what I'm poorly describing. :P
I've also adjusted the power settings but it's a no-go. The computer itself stays active, it's only the monitor that appears to go into hibernation.
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did you look in Control Panel for your graphics card settings? There may be some settings that you can adjust in the graphics card properties, that is causing this
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Yeah, I did. I reset to the factory settings, turned SLI off too.. neither worked. I haven't opened the tower in a while but then again, it rarely ever moves so I don't suspect anything to be loose. Definitely going to dust it later today though.
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Was your computer always like this or did this start recently?
I would just back up everything that you can and reinstall
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It's fairly recent.. it's been a couple of weeks now.
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Boot into SAFE MODE and do a System Restore, before trying to reinstall
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Yeah, will try that. I restored about a week ago to a week before that but the problem still occurred.
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go back to the point when you first installed, if you can!
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System restore is a no-go. Monitor blacks out as soon as the reboot starts.. system carries on. I ended up having to pull the power cable and restart about four times until the monitor came back to life.
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time to reinstall :o
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NOOOOOOO! :-[
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If it runs properly in safemode then it's a driver issue...
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That's what I was thinking, but with the rolling back, leaving be, and upgrading of the drivers, I can't seem to hammer it out.
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definitely a driver issue but we can't seem to pin down the problem...he's already rolled back AND updated......I doubt uninstalling in Device Manager would make any difference. There's something going on between the driver and the Operation system....
This is a long shot, but try this: boot into safe mode with command prompt, insert your installation disk, type sfc /scannow at the prompt and see if the System File Checker utility finds anything corrupt or missing in your OS that needs repair
Do you have the latest Windows Updates?
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I do. Will try the disc suggestion and post results.
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Did you try another cable?
Did you try THIS monitor on another working computer, or another working monitor on THIS computer?
Do you have any power saving features enabled?
How long does it take for the monitor, running in Normal Mode, before it dies?
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Did you try another cable?
I didn't. I don't have another cable to use and do not know of anyone who has one.
Did you try THIS monitor on another working computer, or another working monitor on THIS computer?
See above.
Do you have any power saving features enabled?
No. I disabled these just to be safe and the problem still occurs.
How long does it take for the monitor, running in Normal Mode, before it dies?
It depends. It can last a couple of hours or a couple of minutes.
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I can't see how another cable would make a difference, the monitor works while in SAFE MODE...
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Well, testing first two possibilities would answer a lot of questions.
Is it on-board video, or video card?
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It's a dual card set: nVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS dual / SLI.
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Is there an onboard video port on the motherboard you can try?
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I can't see how another cable would make a difference, the monitor works while in SAFE MODE...
CPitalo
For how long, and how many times have you tested monitor in Safe Mode?
I'm asking, because of your answer:
It can last a couple of hours or a couple of minutes.
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Is it LCD, or CRT monitor?
I assume, the card has two ports: VGA, and DVI, correct?
Which port do you use?
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Download, and install SpeedFan: http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
Post your computer temperatures:
(http://209.85.48.8/228/109/upload/p4151509.gif)
Provide processor info (hold Windows logo key, and hit Pause/Break key to find out).
Post back with initial temperatures, and then keep watching them, while using computer.
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CPitalo
For how long, and how many times have you tested monitor in Safe Mode?
I'm asking, because of your answer:
Several. I left it in Safe Mode overnight to see if the problem would reoccur, but some twenty-eight hours later, it's still on and functioning properly.
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Does the motherboard have a video port you can try? (not the video card)
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Download, and install SpeedFan:
Post back with initial temperatures, and then keep watching them, while using computer.
(blue downward arrow) GPU: 0C
(flame) GPU: 125C
(green check mark) HD0: 40C
(flame) Core 0: 57C
(flame) Core 1: 58C
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Does the motherboard have a video port you can try? (not the video card)
There are two plugins for the monitor to the card.. I tried the other but nothing at all.
@ Broni:
The cable is DVI-D into an LCD monitor.
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What processor is it? Dual core?
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Intel Core 2
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Be more specific. What model, speed?
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From the first post in the thread: :P ;D
Dell XPS710
Intel Core2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13 Ghz
2 GB RAM
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3
Dual nVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS cards (driver 6.14.11.8618 - 06/10/09)
DirectX 9.0c
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Your computer is hot! Too hot.
Max temp for your processor is listed at 61.4° C.
Start with cleaning inside, using compressed air.
If this is true reading:
(flame) GPU: 125C
you're boiling your video card.
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EEK! I'm going to buy Duster right now.. be right back.
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I take it "flame" next to the temperature readings indicates the temperature is too high??
Well I sure jumped the gun a little :(
Three cheers for Broni ;D
edit: how can you use Speed Fan while in Safe Mode? The the CPU work relatively just as hard in SAFE MODE as normal mode?
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Ok, back. I opened up the case and gave it a through dusting. For now, it's running normally again.. I have the side of the case open and a room fan blowing on it. The HD0, Core 0 and Core 1 are all down, put the two GPU are flaming.
(flame) GPU: 67C
(flame)GPU: 52C
(downward blue arrow) HD0: 30C
(downward blue arrow) Core 0: 38C
(downward blue arrow) Core 1: 39C
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What kind of motherboard is it, make/model?
You should make sure that the heat sink is seated against the processor correctly and if it is already, then you should remove the heat sink, clean off all the old thermal grease with some alcohol and apply a new layer....
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sorry, you already specified the make/model of the computer, I can get it the mobo make/model from there
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GPU at 52C, or 67C (I'm not sure, which temp is correct one) is acceptable. GPU can take temperatures like those.
38-39C for CPU is surely much better, but I'd still like to see it lower. For idle desktop, I'd like to see them below 30C
You may want to reapply thermal paste.
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As I leave the case open it seems the temperatures are slowly decreasing. I wonder if the current temperatures are due to the dust AND leaving it on in safemode, enclosed, over a twenty four hour period.
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I'll keep this thread updated through-out the night. In the mean time, thanks for the outstanding assistance! ;D
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awww, it was nothing......don't mention it ;D
kudos to Broni
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Here's a shot of today's temperatures.. a couple still running a bit high even with the tower open and the room fan still blowing. The PC was shutdown or in standby for the duration of the night.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Yeah, video card at 73C is hot.
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What do you recommend?
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Since CPU is not cold either (38C), I'd start with reapplying thermal paste.
Maybe some extra fan is needed. Maybe video card fan is going out...
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Do you know of any write-ups on where to purchase and how to apply thermal paste?
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Very good manual: http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm
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Excellent. Thanks! ;D
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You're very welcome :)