Screen Blanks out, rest of computer keeps on truckin'.

TheUnlimited · 07-04-2006, 09:26 AM

So, I'm fiddling with this new computer, and it does something strange every now and then. I'll just be going along my merry way -- perhaps playing a ROM or another game -- and the screen will black out.

When I say black out, I mean just that. Like when you turn the computer off but don't turn the screen off, so it shuts itself down and waits for a new signal to come in to tell it the computer's back on. The rest of the computer, however, keeps going. I discovered this when I was able to blindly talk in an IM to someone.

The card is a Sapphire 9550. It's not overclocked and runs very cool. The rest of the system doesn't appear to be having heat issues either.

There were a few things I was thinking it could be, so I was wondering if anyone could help me narrow it down:

1. The 9550: Maybe it's just bogus. Fast Writes & Write Combining are Disabled. It's running at 8X mode. I'll try setting it to 4X.
2. The Motherboard: A K7VME. Perhaps something to do with the AGP slot, the Chipset (KM400), or some other section.
3. The PSU: It's 300W, an Enermax. I have a 400W Fortron on the way to replace it, since I think that this system is pushing the limits of the Enermax.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Zazula · 07-04-2006, 09:32 AM

Just a couple of quick thoughts, till the Hardware team kicks in:

a. Does your pc exhibit the same behaviour in all screen resolution settings?

b. Have you tried connecting another monitor to see if this occurence is reproduced (although I think the monitor must not be part of the problem)?

TheUnlimited · 07-04-2006, 09:44 AM

Thanks for the quick reply. This has happened on two different monitors at two different resolutions.

My spare monitor that I use to set up new computers is very, very old. It's got a hulking metal connector that needs a screwdriver to hold it in. Its max resolution is 800x600, and it needs to be run at 56Hz to get a remotely decent picture. When it first started to happen on that monitor, I thought it was outright crashing, but now I see that it was the "black out" fault.

The second monitor is the one from my main rig (which has been put aside while I test this new one) -- a 17" Compaq CRT, about 4 years old, currently at 1024x768 (1152x864 on my regular rig). It's never given me any trouble, but it's starting to develop what I call the "Egyptian Eye" in its old age. This is the one that I discovered it to be a black out rather than a crash on.

**Terrister** · 07-05-2006, 06:53 AM

The power supply would be the 1st thing to try.
If it does not fix this, post back and we will troubleshoot the video card

TheUnlimited · 07-05-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrister

The power supply would be the 1st thing to try.
If it does not fix this, post back and we will troubleshoot the video card

Righto. I've got a more powerful new Fortron unit on the way. I'll report back when it gets here.

07-04-2006, 09:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
TheUnlimited Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New England Posts: 139 OS: Windows XP Home SP3 My System	Screen Blanks out, rest of computer keeps on truckin'. So, I'm fiddling with this new computer, and it does something strange every now and then. I'll just be going along my merry way -- perhaps playing a ROM or another game -- and the screen will black out. When I say black out, I mean just that. Like when you turn the computer off but don't turn the screen off, so it shuts itself down and waits for a new signal to come in to tell it the computer's back on. The rest of the computer, however, keeps going. I discovered this when I was able to blindly talk in an IM to someone. The card is a Sapphire 9550. It's not overclocked and runs very cool. The rest of the system doesn't appear to be having heat issues either. There were a few things I was thinking it could be, so I was wondering if anyone could help me narrow it down: 1. The 9550: Maybe it's just bogus. Fast Writes & Write Combining are Disabled. It's running at 8X mode. I'll try setting it to 4X. 2. The Motherboard: A K7VME. Perhaps something to do with the AGP slot, the Chipset (KM400), or some other section. 3. The PSU: It's 300W, an Enermax. I have a 400W Fortron on the way to replace it, since I think that this system is pushing the limits of the Enermax. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

07-04-2006, 09:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zazula Manager Emeritus, I'm blond, James Blond Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 7,667 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Just a couple of quick thoughts, till the Hardware team kicks in: a. Does your pc exhibit the same behaviour in all screen resolution settings? b. Have you tried connecting another monitor to see if this occurence is reproduced (although I think the monitor must not be part of the problem)? __________________ "Time is the wisest because it discovers everything" Thales of Miletus (ca.624BC-ca.546BC) "Everything flows, nothing stands still." Heraclitus of Ephesus (ca.535BC-475BC) "One thing I know, that I know nothing" Socrates of Athens (ca.470BC–399BC)

07-05-2006, 06:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	The power supply would be the 1st thing to try. If it does not fix this, post back and we will troubleshoot the video card __________________

07-04-2006, 09:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheUnlimited Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New England Posts: 139 OS: Windows XP Home SP3 My System	Thanks for the quick reply. This has happened on two different monitors at two different resolutions. My spare monitor that I use to set up new computers is very, very old. It's got a hulking metal connector that needs a screwdriver to hold it in. Its max resolution is 800x600, and it needs to be run at 56Hz to get a remotely decent picture. When it first started to happen on that monitor, I thought it was outright crashing, but now I see that it was the "black out" fault. The second monitor is the one from my main rig (which has been put aside while I test this new one) -- a 17" Compaq CRT, about 4 years old, currently at 1024x768 (1152x864 on my regular rig). It's never given me any trouble, but it's starting to develop what I call the "Egyptian Eye" in its old age. This is the one that I discovered it to be a black out rather than a crash on.