PC problem

[milly143]

For some reason the moniter just keeps going blank for no apparent reason. If I turn the machine off and back on it comes back again but then after about maybe 20 seconds it just goes black and the power light on the moniter flashes. There doesn't seem to be anything that triggers it so I'm really confused. Does anyone know what might be wrong?

[snook]

Run an anti-virus scan and also scan for spyware. Sounds like something's got it and it's telling it to close down intermittently.

If you haven't got a/v on your system as yet, get AVG, it's free and it's from: http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

For spyware, use something like Spybot Search & Destroy, Spyware Doctor, Adaware (you'll find them if you put the names in Google).

Also, if you're using XP, you could try a System Restore. Have you installed any programs lately? If so, uninstall them, that might be the problem. And clean up duff files - use CleanUp! or CCleaner (Google them, they're both free programs).

[snook]

Should read, "... something's got in..." (first paragraph).

[alunrw]

First thing I would do is rule out any loose conncections,check all the leads and wires /power supply are fitted properly and havn't worked themselves loose ?

[milly143]

Thanks, I'll try the anti-virus stuff tonight. I recently uploaded some camera software a few weeks ago. If I uninstall it will I lose all the pictures I have on there? Being the dipstik I am, I havn't backed them up.

I fiddled round with the wires and things yesterday and they were all firmly in place.

[qapmoc]

What you mean is that you cannot get the PC to boot at all? whats happens when you first switch on, do you get -

1. The page of the booting display which is just text only and then it goes blank.
or
2. Do you get the windows logo up and then it goes blank.
or
3. Do you get no display at all.

[milly143]

It boots up properly, get all the icons on the desktop and then connects to the internet. Thinking about it it can stay fine for up to 20 minutes then the screen will literally just go black. You can still hear the pc working though.

[snook]

I'll leave it to someone more computer-savvy to help out with getting the system past the start-up problem, but as for the photos you've put on your hard disk - just put a blank CD in your CD-Rewriter and copy them to it, using Nero or some other 'burning' software.

Then, in case that program's causing the problem, uninstall it. You can always install afresh later if it turns out it wasn't that, and if you reckon it was, use another program instead - if it's just for transferring the photos, and you're using XP, you don't even need it, the system will recognise the camera as just another drive and you can just drag-and-drop the photo files from it to wherever you want.

[milly143]

I was just wondering, how would I be able to do that stuff when it turns itself off after a few minutes (averagely)

[snook]

I understood you to say it can stay on for maybe 20 minutes or so. That's plenty of time to start Nero (or whatever) and copy some files to a disk. If the system shuts down, then restart it and start to strip out any recent software, run a spyware scan, or whatever. You could restart after each shutdown (obviously this might not allow you to do a full scan however). Also, on reboot, try a System Restore - this only takes a few minutes, and it might just get you back to a point a few days ago when the system was running okay. First though, as alunrw said, check all leads and connections are secure.

Above all, as Jonesey used to say, Don't Panic! We've all had this type of problem, and it always sorts itself out one way or another. Could I suggest you ask around, there may be a neighbour or friend who could help out - it's always easier if the person can actually get his hands on the system rather than just offering vague advice which may or may not be appropriate. Anyone who knows about computers will be happy to help, I'm sure. But don't let that put you off asking here, if you feel you need more advice. Just remember to give as much detail in your question as you can. ;o)

[qapmoc]

This really sounds like the monitor is on its way to the scrap yard, if you wait until the monitor goes blank and then switch off only the monitor power, wait 1 minute and then switch back on, does it stay blank, if so the problem is with the PC, if it come back on the problem is with the monitor.

[milly143]

Thanks for all your answers! I'm going to take another montier home from work today just to see what happens with a different one and if it's still doing it, I will have a play around with all the bits you guys have told me to do on here.

Thanks again! I 'll let you know what happens.

[milly143]

The good news is it was just the monitor. The bad news is I have to try and convince work to let me 'borrow' the one they gave me to test it out. thanks for all your help!!!!!!!!