Strange monitor/sound problem

[Firesole]

Hi all, today for the first time while playing a video game, my monitor as well as my sound went dead (my computer itself stayed on). To fix it i just restarted my comp, but this problem occurred twice more afterwards (the latest time, while not playing the video game, just browsing the net). I checked the power connections to everything to see if that may have caused the problem after the first incident but apparently it was not. Anyone know what could be going on here, or how to fix it?

Anyway feedback would be greatly appreciated.

-Thanks!

[honvetops]

Hey  Firesole  !! 

  welcome to our  fun  place!   

 Do you own a  sceptre  monitor?

  what  was the  game  &  how  did you play/  download this ? 
  also... how  old is the computer  /  make  &  model    any  video card in there ?

[Firesole]

My monitor is a samsung, my computer is 26 months old, compaq presario model SR155ONX, with a ati x700 series video card. The game was world of war craft, and i had just been playing for 3 hours or so.

Also when i awoke this morning this problem had gotten significantly worse. Now it occurs as soon as i turn on my comp, right before windows loads. I restarted it 4 times and every time it happened at the same screen. Not sure what to do with it now.

[honvetops]

ati   video  card....?
 
 I didn't go  googling  everything so I am going to ask  basic  stuff 
 are  you using  on-board  audio   ( any sound card in there?  check and make sure its  seated/  in the slot  nice and  tight)  same  with  video  card   ...

  had you downloaded  any newer  programs  recently ?
 done a  Full  system  scan  with  your  virus  protection?
 WOW  is  temperamental        noticed any  hangups  playing recently?
 
might also run a ram  test making sure no  problems  exit there as well  ...  how much  ram have  you got installed?