OT--Computer problem

Jiles · May 30, 2014

I have a HP computer that is about 4 years old. As I am typing, monitor screen turns black for one to five seconds. It comes back on and typing was not affected in any way. I have checked all connections because it acts like a loose connection. Sometimes it will work fine for hours, then starts this.
Any suggestions?

Allan in NE · May 30, 2014

Does the battery work okay?

Allan

Allan in NE · May 30, 2014

Assuming it is a laptop?

Allan

Jiles · May 30, 2014

(quoted from post at 14:41:25 05/30/14) Does the battery work okay?

Allan

Since I don't know a lot about computers, where an what type battery does the monitor have?
Isn't the screen the monitor?

JRSutton · May 30, 2014

If not a laptop -

Best thing you can do is just wiggle the wire and see if that pops it back on.

If so it's a cable problem - if not, it doesn't prove much.

Is it a flat panel lcd type monitor? or an "old" tube type?

Allan in NE · May 30, 2014

Is this a laptop or a desktop computer?

Allan

Jiles · May 30, 2014

(quoted from post at 14:50:48 05/30/14) Is this a laptop or a desktop computer?

Allan

Well-- I guess I did what aggravates me, like when someone asks "what's wrong with my tractor?"
Sorry for my lack of information --It is a 23" Full HD LCD Monitor.
I might add that the computer stays on constantly so that the security can update and scan.
I do shut down and reboot daily.
I have AVG --SUPERAntiSpyware Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

ss55 · May 30, 2014

Try connecting the computer to a different monitor to isolate if the problem is in the monitor or the computer's video. A TV with an HDMI or computer input might fill in as a monitor. I'd suspect the monitor is going bad.

Hammer house · May 30, 2014

I have A HP desktop with flat screen monitor. About 4 yr. or older. Mine does the same thing as yours. All I do is move my mouse A little, the screen will come back on to where it went off. You don loose anything. No problem.

Hammer Man

pete black · May 30, 2014

if you cannot fix it with a hammer then you have
an electrical problem.

jimg.allentown · May 30, 2014

Just a thought - do you use a screen saver or power management activated? Recheck your power management settings, and possibly your screen saver.
Power management looks for a certain level of video activity to keep the screen on. Typing may not be a high enough level of activity to keep the power management satisfied that you are actually using the computer. If moving the mouse brings the screen right back, it is probably power management causing this. Otherwise, look into your screen saver settings. Sometimes, a screen saver is set to turn off the screen during periods of inactivity.
Hope this solves the mystery.

Two Dogs · May 30, 2014

My several year old HP does that too. The only thing that has saved its being used as target practice many times is close neighbors and an elementary school across the road. TDF

Dr. Walt · May 30, 2014

Go to the "HELP" section of your computer, in the
open box type "Sleep", and follow instructions.

Your timer that determines sleep activation is set
too low.

Doc

TomH in PA · May 30, 2014

Sounds to me like your video card might be overheating. Buy a can of compressed air and blow any dust off the fan. It the computer is a desktop open it up and blow the dust out of any heat sinks you see.

IHC Red · May 30, 2014

If you have a separate video card, that could be the problem. You can get a replacement and your computer will be good as new. It"s pretty easy to replace. It"s the card that your monitor plugs into. Make sure your replacement does not draw more power than your power suplly is capable of providing. You might be able to get an exact replacement on Ebay (which will make it even easier). If you post specifics of what your computer model#, etc is, we may be able to help you find a suitable replacement.

If your monitor plugs directly into your motherboard, then you have a bigger problem and your motherboard may need to be replaced.

Some systems come with a graphics system on the motherboard and a separate graphics card. On these systems, when the graphics card fails, you can remove it and use the other video system on the motherboard.

I have fixed two computers with an issue similar to yours in the past few months.

On one, there was a little fan that quit working. On the other, the "heat sink" had come loose.

An intermittent black screen is a fairly typical symptom of a graphics card issue. It will eventually fail completely. The "chip" cooks itself to failure... kind of like when an engine runs hot once to many times.

MarkB_MI · May 31, 2014

The problem is most likely in the monitor.

Most monitors have more than one interface. Check to see if you have more than one connector at the back of the monitor; you might have both analog (VGA) and digital (DVI-D or HDMI) inputs. You can try switching to a different interface, assuming your PC supports the other interface and you have an appropriate cable. (Note that you can use adapters to mate HDMI and DVI-D devices.)

If you have another computer, see if your monitor has the same symptoms with the other computer.

Jiles · May 31, 2014

As I stated earlier, this is an intermittent problem. It acted up several times yesterday morning and has not shut off since. I used the computer many hours last night.
This morning, no problems. I am sure it is not fixed but will have to troubleshoot when problem is present.
This computer has not been trouble free. It does other weird things, like shutting down on it's own, occasionally.
Last year, a connection could not be made between the Monitor and Hard Drive and my son installed an adapter that would allow the internet input to be hooked up in a different spot on the hard drive.
Thanks for all the advise, and from what I have learned, I may need to purchase a new computer

MarkB_MI · May 31, 2014

>Last year, a connection could not be made between the Monitor and Hard Drive and my son installed an adapter that would allow the internet input to be hooked up in a different spot on the hard drive.

Holy cow. I don't even know where to start on that one.

Jiles · May 31, 2014

(quoted from post at 15:29:22 05/31/14) >Last year, a connection could not be made between the Monitor and Hard Drive and my son installed an adapter that would allow the internet input to be hooked up in a different spot on the hard drive.

Holy cow. I don't even know where to start on that one.

This is it, bought it from Amazon---

[b:a7f95790b6]TRENDnet USB 2.0 to 10/100 Fast Ethernet LAN Wired Network Adapter for Macbook, Chromebook, Windows 8.1 and Earlier, Wii, Wii U, Linux, and Specific Android Tablets, ASIX AX88772A Chipset, TU2-ET100[/b:a7f95790b6]

MarkB_MI · May 31, 2014

OK, with that bit of information I think I can decode what you were trying to say.

How's this sound: "The ethernet port on the PC crapped out so we replaced it with a USB ethernet adapter."

Note that I didn't use the terms "monitor" or "hard drive". Your problem didn't have anything to do with either one. Good luck with your monitor problem.

Jiles · May 31, 2014

(quoted from post at 17:25:37 05/31/14) OK, with that bit of information I think I can decode what you were trying to say.

How's this sound: "The ethernet port on the PC crapped out so we replaced it with a USB ethernet adapter."

Note that I didn't use the terms "monitor" or "hard drive". Your problem didn't have anything to do with either one. Good luck with your monitor problem.

"Last year, a connection could not be made between the Monitor and Hard Drive and my son installed an adapter that would allow the internet input to be hooked up in a different spot on the hard drive."

[b:47da25bace] Your problem didn't have anything to do with either one.[/b:47da25bace]

Then why did this adapter correct my problem???

MarkB_MI · May 31, 2014

Because a USB-to-ethernet adapter does not connect to either a monitor or a hard disk. It connects a USB port to an ethernet cable, just as the name would imply.

For that matter, your monitor is not connected to your hard disk. Your monitor is connected to a video adapter, which may be on the motherboard or it may be a separate card. You can in fact remove the hard drive from the computer and still have video, although the computer can't boot to Windows. Likewise, you can remove the monitor and the computer will continue to work even though you can't see anything. (In fact, that's a common practice in server rooms, where video monitors would just be useless clutter.)

You may think I'm a nitpicker, but imagine the drubbing someone would get here if they made the following post:

"My tractor wouldn't start, so I swapped the front and rear tires around. Now it works but only in reverse gear."

You need to get the nomenclature and details straight if you want to get useful feedback.

Jiles · May 31, 2014

[b:332643a4e7]You need to get the nomenclature and details straight if you want to get useful feedback.[/b:332643a4e7]

Thanks for your reply but-----I think most responders here knew what I was asking.

IHC Red · May 31, 2014

By "hard drive" I believe you are actually referring to the "tower" or "system" which everything plugs into... is this correct ?

For techies, the "hard drive" is just one part of "the system".

It does sound like you have had a history of problems. Sometimes you need to cut your losses... but you could try locating a computer repair shop which may charge you some minimum of $60 or so to diagnose (and possibly) fix the thing for you.

OT--Computer problem

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