Yay computer woes

Post by **Vympel** » 2008-06-07 03:24am

No one knows, but since around 7 May I've been house-sitting my brother's place, using his PC (which is largely identical to the one I have at home). He comes back on the 18th. Anyway, was at my real home today to pick some stuff up, and turned my own PC on just for the hell of it, see how it was going, make sure no one had fucked around with it while I was gone.

The usual screens came up prior to the WinXP startup, except WinXP startup (you know, progressing bar, whatever) never happened. Instead, the monitor lost signal. The computer appeared to be doing nothing.

I reset the PC, and I didn't see anything come up save for a big, blown up, non-fit-my-screen normal mode/ safe mode blah blah blah screen. I chose safe mode went in there, it worked fine, reset the PC again to see what would happen. Bizarrely, the monitor had again lost signal, but then up came WinXP normally at it's usual resolution etc.

I even fired up Crysis as a sort of check. Ran fine. Played it for a bit for a laugh.

I decided to reset the PC again. Before it went to the usual pre-WinXP start up screens, a single line in white text appeared, saying [insertalphanumeric here] X1950XTX CF BIOS (my video card). Then the usual shit happened, monitor had no signal, tried it again several times, occasionally got the initial screen, but nada. No joy.

Video card fucked? What do you guys think? Service guy coming to trouble shoot/ pick it up on Wednesday.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2008-06-07 03:36am

Either the video card or the video card driver. Most likely the hardware. Strange that it had no problem running Crysis on the occasion it worked fine though.

Inconsistent issues are always the most annoying to troubleshoot

Ariphaos · Post by **Ariphaos** » 2008-06-07 01:50pm

Is there another video card on the machine? Like, you have an integrated card that you haven't disabled and a video card?

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-06-07 08:08pm

my ram just died last night.

Post by **Vympel** » 2008-06-07 10:56pm

Xeriar wrote:Is there another video card on the machine? Like, you have an integrated card that you haven't disabled and a video card?

I don't believe so. I've got an ASUS P5W-DH Deluxe motherboard, I have no idea if it has an integrated video card, but I've had my machine since 10/2006 and I've never had a problem until now.

If I do have to replace my X1950XTX, what's a good card for an equivalent price - I believe I paid something close to $500 (Aus) for it back in 06 - I really don't remember.

Post by **Vympel** » 2008-06-11 05:58am

Weirdness: the tech took my PC and monitor, and found that the PC was ostensibly fine since it worked on another monitor just fine. Then he tested my monitor and DVI cable, and found that was fine too - and the only difference between his office and my place are the damn power cables.

WTF?

PeZook · Post by **PeZook** » 2008-06-11 08:19am

Vympel wrote:Weirdness: the tech took my PC and monitor, and found that the PC was ostensibly fine since it worked on another monitor just fine. Then he tested my monitor and DVI cable, and found that was fine too - and the only difference between his office and my place are the damn power cables.

WTF?

I had a graphics card problem once which got progressively worse and worse over several months. There was some weird interaction between the card and power cables (it was a laptop - when I just turned it on, the screen would be gibberish. When I turned it on on battery, then plugged it in, it was fine) too - but after a couple of moths, it crapped out completely.

So...how thoroughly did he test your PC?

Post by **Vympel** » 2008-06-11 07:13pm

So...how thoroughly did he test your PC?

Oh he's not finished testing it. He's going to test it some more, precisely because it's so strange. I still think it's the graphics card.