[gretgret]

Hi,
Having some probs with my computer and wondered if anyone could help.

Over the last couple of weeks my computer has started to freeze, and becomes unresponsive even to ctrl-alt-del and needs to be switched off at the plug. When it is turned on, it has also started ton intermittently say no signal on the screen (while the computer sounds like it is booting up as normal). When it does boot up correctly, the screen tends to have an even blue tinge across it.

I have tried a different screen and it does the same thing.

Any advice would be much appreciated,
Many thanks,

Dave

[Thunderer]

From what you are saying, it might be either the VGA or the PSU, but since the PC does boot up, the VGA would be the possible cause. I myself had the same thing due to the fact that the VGA would be overheated and so there would not be too much power left to turn the vga fan and thus no power to send picture (hope you know what I mean).

If I were you I would just try another VGA and see if this problem goes,

[Jimmy Hat]

Definitely sounds like something is overheating here. From cold, ie at least 2 hours since you last switched it on, how long does it take to crash? Sounds like your graphics card is overheating for some reason. Have you tried to overclock it? HAve you made sure your PSU is sufficient to provide all the power your components need? Try disconnecting any case fans, optical drives, fdds or anything you dont need to power on the system and see something on the screen and see if the same thing happens again. Or your graphics card could just be knackered, try to get a spare from somewhere and try that.

[Gazmondo]

I agree, try replacing your PSU and then your graphics card (or change to onboard if its available), but don't change your psu and your gfx at the same time... else we won't know which one is the culprit.

[gretgret]

Thanks for your replies guys.

In response to your question about how long it takes to crash after starting from cold, it varies hugely, and sometimes doesn't crash at all. However, in the morning when I go to turn it on (having been switched off all night), it tends to not come on straight away. By this I mean that the computer does sound like it is starting up etc, but there is no output to the screen. I can normally get it going, however, by turning it off and on repeatedly (although it can sometimes take a while!).

Does this mean it sounds more like a problem with the PSU, and that this is what I should buy first to try out?

Also, the graphics card etc are all on one big board, and the fan still seems to be running normally etc.

Many thanks for your help so far guys,

Dave

[Dave Hybrid]

Some poor advice here.

Before you replace any hardware check your fans.

99% of all freezing or locking up problems is due to poor working fans causing CPU overheating.

Open your case and clean your fans of dust and debris using a 1" paintbrush and a lot of blowing.

If there is a lot of dust in the PC get a hoover in there, be careful.

[Jimmy Hat]

Originally Posted by Dave Hybrid If there is a lot of dust in the PC get a hoover in there, be careful.

Yes, be extremely careful and don't use any fluffy hairy brush attachments as they attract static more than pretty much anything. As for the freezing problems, I'm not sure what to suggest so I'll stay out of this and leave it to somebody who does.

[Razer]

i would personally go and try the VGA theory, it could be either a weak connection, a fan gone wrong on the graphics card or the card might be on its last legs and is about to give up. as said just up there, carefully take a hoover to your pc, advisable for the case but for components a brush from a hair set will be fine. again as i always advise run a virus check just incase.

[Jimmy Hat]

Umm, well personally I'd never let any kind of brush near the inside of my PC because they all carry static. I also never let anything else furry or fluffy or static-carrying into the inside of the PC, such as the cat or random items of clothing.

[Razer]

i use a brush on the inside of my pc all the time, its about 1cm across and has never done me any harm in 4-5 years

[alex]

I wouldn't ever use a hoover in my pc, far too powerful.

Compressed air is the way to go. Very useful for the dust that tends to cling to fan blades as well.

[Jimmy Hat]

Well, if you use a brush and it's what you're used to then fine. Can't argue with that. Like alex said, though, compressed air is useful if you want to take as few risks as possible while still giving your PC a thorough clean.

[Razer]

i bet theres some sort of age restriction for gettin it tho...
theres a CO2 fire extinguisher up the road from me, too powerful?? haha

[gretgret]

Hi again,

I set about cleaning my computer with a paintbrush etc, and found there to be quite a lot of dust in the fan. I cleared this away carefully, and then tried the computer again. Amazingly, it worked and the computer behaved itself for over a week.

However, it gradually started playing up again, by sometimes starting first thing in the morning but sometimes not displaying anything on the screen ('no signal' displayed). It has also persisted in showing a rather blue tinge to the display, but is not a problem with the monitor as I have also tested a brand new TFT with the same intermittent results.

Normally, I can turn the computer on and off repeatedly when it displays 'no signal' and it will magically start to work (still with a blue tinge though). Today, however, when I tried that, the whole computer died and will not switch on at all! When it is switched on the infrared mouse flashes briefly and that is all - no sounds of fans etc.

Sorry for such a long description, any help or advice is much appreciated!

Many thanks,

Dave

[Razer]

odd. it might well be a short circuit somewhere causing a split second of power then nothing, try carefully cleaning the whole inside of your pc making sure the motherboard and graphics cards are 100% clean. If that fails then you could have a broken or faulty power supply. whether it has been knocked or a cable has come loose recently i dont know. if you have another power supply or computer you could use for a test then you could use the process of elimination to determine what has gone wrong.