Pc Help Needed

[Kyalami]

Hey guys. It's Kyalami again. Listen, my friend's computer monitorbroke down one day. She was using it one day, and then the next, it wouldn't power up anymore. The CPU did, but not the monitor. I fiddled around with it to see if it worked, and she said that, as i was fiddling, she saw something on the monitor for a split second, and then it went away. So, I took it to my house, and tried the CPU with my monitor. No good. Suggestions?

 

[i_am_a_noob]

Computer Renessaince(most likely not spelled right), or just get a cheap CRT.

 

[Kyalami]

Computer Renessaince(most likely not spelled right), or just get a cheap CRT.

What do you mean?

 

[i_am_a_noob]

If you live in the U.S.A. i was referring to a common computer repair shop, and a CRT is a type of monitor. You know, the big bulky ones that cost around $50

 

[Kyalami]

But I think the problem is in the CPU, rather than in the monitor. It could be that the video card is fried? Maybe!

 

[i_am_a_noob]

Bring her CPU to a computer repair shop. Or take your graphics card out and put it in her comp. Unless your integrated

 

[WarmFluffyUK]

Okay you need to localise the fault. things to check:

1. When you power up the system unit, do you hear any beeps at all, usually a PC will give one single beep indicating the POST (Pre Operating System Tests) have passed. The POST performs simple tests on the system such as quick CPU, Video and Memory tests, if all pass then it initialises the display, it gives one beep and continues on to boot. If you get any other beep codes i.e. multiple beeps, then POST has detected an error and generally stops. The Nature of the beeps gives you an idea of what error has been detected.

2. It could be the monitor, if possible, plug another monitor into the system to see if you get a display. If your girlfriend saw something flicker on the screen while you were mucking around, it's possible that the video cable between the monitor and the PC has a fault. Try jiggling the cable a bit. Also make sure the mains cable into the monitor is firmly pressed in, I have too often seen monitors with the power cable plugged in but not 100%.

3. If the PC seems to be running fine and trying another monitor doesn't get a display, then the video card could be at fault. Sometimes just re seating the card is enough, but if not, then try another card.

Okay here's an important a note on safety, not only for you but for your PC too. If you do anything inside your PC, you should do the following. Leave the mains cable plugged in, but switch the power OFF at the mains outlet. Why? Well by doing this you are cutting power from the system making it safe for you, but you're leaving it earthed. So why do you need it earthed? The main reason is to minimise the risk of you zapping components due to static discharge from your body. If you touch the case of your PC when it's earthed, you discharge any large static potential from your body, and it's less likely you can zap any CMOS technology chips, such as the CPU etc. I know that most chips these days have a certain amount of built in safety guards against being zapped, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Wite_Noiz]

Unless your integrated

Haha! Or /really/ handy with a saw

 

[WarmFluffyUK]

Unless your integrated

You should still be able to slot in and AGP card, most motherboards with onboard video have an AGP slot. But don't quote me on that

 

[GeminiDomino]

Okay here's an important a note on safety, not only for you but for your PC too. If you do anything inside your PC, you should do the following. Leave the mains cable plugged in, but switch the power OFF at the mains outlet. Why? Well by doing this you are cutting power from the system making it safe for you, but you're leaving it earthed. So why do you need it earthed? The main reason is to minimise the risk of you zapping components due to static discharge from your body. If you touch the case of your PC when it's earthed, you discharge any large static potential from your body, and it's less likely you can zap any CMOS technology chips, such as the CPU etc. I know that most chips these days have a certain amount of built in safety guards against being zapped, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Wow, no offense, but that is bad advice for one very big reason:

You're assuming the outlet is properly grounded(earthed). If it's not, then not only is leaving it plugged in not accomplishing anything to protect the components, but a power strike could come back UP the cable and fry the PC and, if especially unlucky, our fledgling tech.

If you're in the US, a Better way to ground, barring a dedicated grounding mount (generally you've only got one of these if you work on such equipment often and have a dedicated workbench) is to attach a conductive, insulated cable to the grounding screw of the outlet faceplate (the one between the two outlets, usually) and attach that to the chassis of the case via an alligator clip or similar fastener. This way, if the outlet isn't grounded correctly, you may still fry your box, but run far less chance of getting a fatal half-dozen mils across the chest.

 

[WarmFluffyUK]

Okay here's an important a note on safety, not only for you but for your PC too. If you do anything inside your PC, you should do the following. Leave the mains cable plugged in, but switch the power OFF at the mains outlet. Why? Well by doing this you are cutting power from the system making it safe for you, but you're leaving it earthed. So why do you need it earthed? The main reason is to minimise the risk of you zapping components due to static discharge from your body. If you touch the case of your PC when it's earthed, you discharge any large static potential from your body, and it's less likely you can zap any CMOS technology chips, such as the CPU etc. I know that most chips these days have a certain amount of built in safety guards against being zapped, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Wow, no offense, but that is bad advice for one very big reason:

You're assuming the outlet is properly grounded(earthed). If it's not, then not only is leaving it plugged in not accomplishing anything to protect the components, but a power strike could come back UP the cable and fry the PC and, if especially unlucky, our fledgling tech.

If you're in the US, a Better way to ground, barring a dedicated grounding mount (generally you've only got one of these if you work on such equipment often and have a dedicated workbench) is to attach a conductive, insulated cable to the grounding screw of the outlet faceplate (the one between the two outlets, usually) and attach that to the chassis of the case via an alligator clip or similar fastener. This way, if the outlet isn't grounded correctly, you may still fry your box, but run far less chance of getting a fatal half-dozen mils across the chest.

 

[Kyalami]

Thanks, guys. Will try it soon!

 

[nubie]

Thanks, guys. Will try it soon!

You didn't say what you were fiddling with.

I assume the wiring in the back, since she had to tell you it flickered.

I would try checking the plugs, they can be loose, or wires broken/ shorting out inside the cord from being twisted or smashed into the wall or something.

Did you mention whether the monitor boots up? IE does the light work, but stay yellow instead of turning green?

I would troubleshoot the video cable if the monitor seems to have power, maybe plug the monitor into a laptop and see what kind of video you get (beware that nothing may appear unless you send video out to the monitor with the correct setting in the Display tools in windows.

 

[GeminiDomino]

Okay here's an important a note on safety, not only for you but for your PC too. If you do anything inside your PC, you should do the following. Leave the mains cable plugged in, but switch the power OFF at the mains outlet. Why? Well by doing this you are cutting power from the system making it safe for you, but you're leaving it earthed. So why do you need it earthed? The main reason is to minimise the risk of you zapping components due to static discharge from your body. If you touch the case of your PC when it's earthed, you discharge any large static potential from your body, and it's less likely you can zap any CMOS technology chips, such as the CPU etc. I know that most chips these days have a certain amount of built in safety guards against being zapped, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Wow, no offense, but that is bad advice for one very big reason:

You're assuming the outlet is properly grounded(earthed). If it's not, then not only is leaving it plugged in not accomplishing anything to protect the components, but a power strike could come back UP the cable and fry the PC and, if especially unlucky, our fledgling tech.

If you're in the US, a Better way to ground, barring a dedicated grounding mount (generally you've only got one of these if you work on such equipment often and have a dedicated workbench) is to attach a conductive, insulated cable to the grounding screw of the outlet faceplate (the one between the two outlets, usually) and attach that to the chassis of the case via an alligator clip or similar fastener. This way, if the outlet isn't grounded correctly, you may still fry your box, but run far less chance of getting a fatal half-dozen mils across the chest.

Ah, Mea culpa I misread you saying "switch the power off at the mains." So yeah, you had the right idea.

In my defense, when I learned this stuff (the hard way. <_< ), it was "opening the breaker"

 

[WarmFluffyUK]

Did you sort out the problem?

If not, let us know of any disgnostics you have done and the results