Monitor loses signal??

spirit

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
Hey all,

Been having some problems recently regarding my monitor and my graphics card, every now and then my monitor will loose signal resulting in the display going black and then comes back on again after a few seconds. I thought this was a problem with my monitor, so I tried my monitor with another PC and it was fine. I've had this problem for a week or so now and I'm not sure what's up, I think it could be my graphics card or possibly my power supply. I lose signal on the monitor at any random time, whether it be whilst playing games or just looking at the desktop, but one thing I have noticed is that I tend to lose signal when maximising and minimising windows in Windows 7 by using Aero Snap. Could it be my GPU is failing or my power supply is not giving my GPU enough power? I have tried re-seating my graphics card and when I did this I noticed that the lock on the PCI Express slot was broken, so the card is only being held in by the chassis, and not on the motherboard. I have also tried making sure my DVI cable is plugged in firmly at both ends, which it is. The hardware is an EVGA GTS 450 1GB SC overclocked (factory overclock), my monitor is an Iiyama ProLite E2409HDS running over DVI, and my PSU is a 650W one, hate to say it but it's generic brand. :-/ Any help much appreciated, thanks.

~ EDIT 4th Feb 12. I have taken out my GeForce GTS 450 and put in an old 9800 GT for testing purposes. I've only had the 9800 in there for about half an hour so too early to tell yet, but I have been looking at EVGA's warranties and this GTS 450 has a 3 yr warranty on it so ideally if I need to send it back I need to do it sooner rather than later, was the GeForce 400 series launched in 2010? I can't remember! Does anybody also know if EVGA's warranties are still valid if you purchased the card second hand?
 
Last edited:
Try popping the RAM, give it a wipe on a cloth/trousers! and put it back in.

Had one like this that in the end wouldnt boot (in Rackheath, wont mean anything to anyone else but the OP should know where it is :) ), replaced the card with a different card, PSU and monitor before trying the RAM.

Wiped it on my trousers and popped it back in, hey presto PC booted first time.

Should add the computer was "on" when I got there thats why the monitor got changed first.

HTH
 
Good to see somebody who lives locally! ;)

The RAM in my machine is fine I have tested it with Memtest (did previously have a problem hence the testing) but I will re-seat it and see what happens. I'm looking to send this GTS 450 back to EVGA to see if they can replace it for me. I didn't have any problems at all with the 9800 even after like 6 hours of use so I think my GTS 450 could possibly be to blame. However, this 9800 GT was an odd one because it didn't require any external power (it just drew it from the motherboard), so could my PSU potentially also be at fault? I don't have another PSU that can run this card adequately to test out.
 
Last edited:
I think that may be your problem potentially. And if it isnt the problem now it could well be in the future. Regardless of whats causing your issues id suggest you upgrade that psu pronto to avoid any other, more serious problems, further down the line.
 
yeah I'm a bit tight on money which PSU/wattage would you recommend for my system (see signature). I think 550+ would do...
 
Having a look on the psu guide it says that you should be looking at 400watts minimum with the gts 450. I gues that would mean this >http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...430CX+V2+80PLUS+Power+Supply+?productId=42487

I wouldnt go for that though as it seems pretty borderline to me and you have some decent gear there so you really want something thats going to be fully in the safe zone :P FRor just over a 10er more this is much better, http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...600CX+V2+80PLUS+Power+Supply+?productId=44572
 
Yep I was looking at this PSU on Novatech but at Aria it's a couple of quid less. Would you recommend the OCZ ModXstream 600W modular PSU? I've read a review on it on the Overclocking Club and the reviewer said that it didn't pass the 80+ efficiency test? Would this ModXstream 600W be better than a CX 600 because the ModXstream is modular? It's only £5 more than the CX 600.

Also, before I go and buy a new PSU, is it definitely the PSU that is causing this issue and not the GPU do you think? I've got a spare PSU sitting around, but it's only 400W and it only gives 15A or so to the +12V rail, and it's another generic one. I don't want to plug it in and then my whole system explode! :-o
 
Modular and none modular just means one has wires that cant be taken off for ease of use, or tidyness and the other can be taken off (modular). I would still go for the corsair. I dont know too much about the OCZ but i know corsair is up there with the best of them. I bought my pc used early last year, it had been built by someone else and she had built it in 2007 i believe ( i added the gpu) and the psu is still going strong.
 
Yeah I knew that with the modular PSUs you could remove the cables you don't use. I think I'll go for the Corsair when I buy a new PSU.

My computer just randomly restarted out of the blue, and then immediately turned back on again, so I think the PSU is definitely on it's last legs.

~ EDIT 5th Feb 12 - A new PSU is on the way for me, a Corsair CX 600. :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top