Topic: Tech Support Yet again...

[Sirgod]

Ok here's the situation. Everytime I restart my PC, It comes back up, Ie. the CPU fan and externall fans run, I can see the Hard drive loading, but every other time, My moniter does not come on to show what's going on.

In other words, I have to start my PC twice to Get the Monitor to work.

Here's a very long list of stats from belarc, showing my PC.

any ideas are more then appreciated.

thanks

 Code:

 Operating System   System Model 
Windows 98 SE (build 4.10.2222)   MSI MS-6712 1.0 
Processor a   Main Circuit Board b 
1.67 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache   Board: MSI MS-6712 1.0
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. Version 07.00T 04/02/01 
Drives   Memory Modules c,d 
41.10 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
20.54 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

JLMS XJ-HD166S [CD-ROM drive]

Generic IDE hard disk drive (41.10 GB) -- drive 0, No SMART Driver   512 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot '0' has 256 MB
Slot '1' has 256 MB
Slot '2' is Empty 
  Local Drive Volumes 
     
c: (on drive 0) 41.10 GB 20.54 GB free 
 
Logins   Network Drives 
No details available      
 
Installed Microsoft Hotfixes   Printers 
DataAccess 
    Q329414-21  (details...)  on 10/24/03 
    Q329414-25  (details...)  on 11/27/03 
DirectX 
    DX819696  (details...)   
Internet Explorer 
    Q313829  (details...)   
    Q330994  (details...)   
    Q824145  (details...)   
    Q828750  (details...)   
    SP1  (SP1)   
MSXML4 
    Q317244  (details...)   
Win98.SE 
    UPD238453  (details...)   
    UPD256015  (details...)   
    UPD259728  (details...)   
    UPD273017  (details...)   
    UPD273991  (details...)   
    UPDQ823559  (details...)   
Win98 
    UPD245729  (details...)   
    UPD323172  (details...)   
    UPD323255  (details...)   
    UPD329115  (details...)   
    UPD811630  (details...)   
Windows Media Player 
    WM819639  (details...)   


Click here to see all available security Hotfixes. 

 Marks a HotFix that verifies correctly 
 Marks a HotFix that fails verification 
(Failing hotfixes need to be reinstalled) 
An unmarked HotFix lacks the data to allow verification    None detected   
Controllers   Display 
Standard Floppy Disk Controller
Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller   NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 [Display adapter]
Compaq V70 [Monitor] (14.9"vis, s/n 642CB03EE132, October 1996) 
Bus Adapters   Multimedia 
VIA PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller   Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller
Wave Device for Voice Modem 
Communications   Other Devices 
Generic SoftK56 Data Fax Voice Speakerphone Handset [Modem]
VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter   Generic PCI Modem Enumerator
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
USB 2.0 Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub 
Software Licenses 
  
Microsoft - EBook 55901-830-0734464-04511  
Microsoft - Internet Explorer 55736-841-9946257-04276 (Key: ) 
Microsoft - MediaPlayer 69808-345-9875607-04533  
Microsoft - Office XP Professional with FrontPage 54185-640-0000025-17901 (Key: ) 
Microsoft - Windows 98 SE 29703-OEM-0087283-05977 (Key: )
 
Software Versions 
Red Alert Windows 95 Edition * 
Activision - Ereg Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Activision - Star Trek Armada 2 Version 32, 0, 0, 0 * 
Activision Publishing, Inc. - Shortcut to sfc3_1.01_beta_patch_us * 
Adobe Acrobat Version 4.0.000 * 
ahead software gmbh im stoeckmaedle 6 76307 karlsbad, germany Phone: ++49-7248-911-800 Fax: ++49-7248-911-888 e-mail: info@nero.com - Nero - Burning Rom Version 5, 5, 3, 0 * 
ahead software gmbh, karlsbad - Cover Designer Version 2, 0, 1, 3 * 
Aphid Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Apple Computer, Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 6.4 * 
Belarc, Inc. - BelManage Client Version 6.0j * 
Bethesda Softworks Morrowind Launcher Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Bethesda Softworks TES Construction Set Version 1.2.0722 * 
BioWare Corp. - Neverwinter Nights Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Diablo II Uninstaller Version 1.05 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Frozen Throne Version 1, 5, 0, 0 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Warcraft III Uninstaller Version 1.00C * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Warcraft III Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - World Editor Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Blizzard Entertainment Diablo Version 96, 12, 26, 3 * 
Blizzard North Diablo II Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Boggle * 
Cheyenne BitWare Version 3.30.00.20 * 
Cinematix Studios - Revenant Version 1.0.0.0 * 
CyberLink Corp. - PowerDVD Version 4.00.2417 * 
D - SFC III Upgrade Utility Application Beta 3, 0, 0, 0 * 
Diablo Uninstaller * 
EarthLink FixMail Version 2003.0.1.12 * 
EarthLink TotalAccess Version 2003.1.12.0 * 
Eastman Software, Inc., A Kodak Business - Imaging for Windows® Version 1.01.1311 * 
ELNhelp.exe * 
Empire Earth * 
Empire Earth - The Art of Conquest * 
FinalSetup Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Frontcode Technologies - WinMX Version 3.31 * 
GameSpy Arcade Version 1.10 Build 5067 * 
Ghost Recon * 
GoodMEM * 
Great_BoBaFeTT@hotmail.com - BoBaFeTT's Trainer Version 6, 7, 0, 0 * 
GSview 4.5 * 
HellEditNew.exe * 
home - Hero Editor Version 0.00.0066 * 
InstallDriver Module Version 7.02 * 
InstallShield Software Corporation - PackageForTheWeb Stub Version 2.02.001 * 
InstallShield unInstaller Version 2.20.926.0 * 
InterActual Technologies, Inc. - iPlayer Version 2.04.08.0409 * 
InterActual Technologies, Inc. - ITIUninstaller Version 2.04.08.0129 * 
InterVocative Software - DVD Profiler Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Launch Dedicated Server on ubi.com * 
LEC Multiplayer Home Page * 
LucasArts Entertainment Company - Jedi Knight Launcher Version 1.0 * 
MICRO-STAR INT'L CO., LTD - FuzzyLogic 4 Version 4.1.1.7 * 
Microsoft (r) Windows Script Host Version 5.6.0.6626 * 
Microsoft Clip Organizer Version 10.0.2625 *  Microsoft Corporation - Age of Empires II Expansion Version 2.1 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Age of Empires II Version 2.0a * 
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow Version 6.4.07.1121 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 6.00.2800.1106 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer Version 2.0.2600.1 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Telephony Version 4.10.2000 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows® NetMeeting® Version 3.01 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Zoo Tycoon Version 12.04.00.0009 * 
Microsoft Ensemble Studios Age of Mythology - The Titans Expansion Version 4.2003.10. * 
Microsoft Ensemble Studios Age of Mythology Version 3.2002.10. * 
Microsoft Games Setup Version 1.2003.02.0463 * 
Microsoft Games Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Microsoft imgstart Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Microsoft Office Save My Settings/Profile Wizard Version 10.0.2609 * 
Microsoft Office XP Version 10.0.2627 * 
Microsoft Outlook Version 10.0.2616 * 
Microsoft(R) Windows Media Player Version 9.00.00.2980 * 
Microsoft® Internet Services Version 6.1.33.0 * 
Microsoft® Reader Version 2.1.1 * 
MindVision - Installer VISE 2.8.3 Version 2.8.3 * 
Mpath Interactive - WebBullet Internet Service Version 1, 3, 0, 0 * 
MudSoft - Shadowmaster Version 0.87beta * 
Nemo's UWF Special Edition * 
Play Slingo * 
Play Ultima IX * 
Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - RtlRack Application Version 1.7.0.0 * 
Realtek Sound Manager Version 5.1.05 * 
Red Alert DOS Version * 
Red Alert Map Editor * 
Red Alert Windows 95 Edition Setup * 
Scrabble * 
SFC Configuration * 
SFC3 Setup Utility Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Shortcut to JamellaD2Editor * 
SierraUp Application Version 1, 4, 0, 7 * 
SierraUpdate Version 2.0.0.2 * 
SierraUtilites (32bit Version) Version 1, 6, 0, 4 * 
Starfleet Command - Gold Edition * 
Synergistic Software Hellfire Version 98, 1, 13, 1 * 
System Diagnostic * 
Taldren Inc. - StarFleet Command III - TNG Version 1.01 * 
Trend Pc-cillin 9.0 Version 9.0.5 * 
Ubi Soft Entertainment - Game Service 4 Core Version 4, 3, 0, 6 * 
Update Age of Mythology * 
Update Age of Mythology - The Titans Expansion * 
UpdateIPR.exe * 
UpdateMonitor Application Version 1, 0, 0, 3 * 
Video Test * 
Visit www.lucasarts.com * 
Westwood Studios - Launcher Version 1.0 * 
WinZip Version 9.0 (5611) * 
Xteq Systems X-Setup Version 6.0 *  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
* Click to see where software is installed.
a. Megahertz measurement may be inaccurate if other programs were busy during last analysis.
b. Data may be transferred on the bus at one, two, or four times the Bus Clock rate.
c. Memory slot contents may not add up to Installed Memory if some memory is not recognized by Windows.
d. Memory slot contents is reported by the motherboard BIOS. Contact system vendor if slot contents are wrong.
e. This may be the manufacturer's factory installed product key rather than yours.  
 

thanks,

stephen

edited to remove keys. DOH!!!  

[Kmelew]

Does your monitor have an LED that shows whether or not it's receiving data (ie amber for not connected, green for connected)?

Also, is your video card PCI or AGP?  

[Taldren_Admin]

When your system begins its boot up does it show the video card spec in the first (second) screen?
Have you switched out your video card to see if it is the problem?

If the answer is yes to both of those then I would say...
Been there, dont that, got new motherboard...problem solved

I can't tell you if that is the fix for you but I would bet that it is.

Ann
 

[Stormbringer]

Before going that far though there are some other things that may cause a monitor to not fire up.  bent or loose pins on the video cable head that connects to the PC or cards video connector. Mine is loose and I must occasionally wiggle the connector to get it to come up. Does the MB pass the post or does it emit a coded beep sequence at these times? reseat the card if any and also the memory modules. Try moving the card to another PCI slot if it is a PCI card (getting rare, these days) try the onboard graphics chip (uninstall or otherwise disable the graphics card.) uninstall the card driver after switching to onboard graphics and reinstall the card driver. If the MB does not pass post rcheck all the connectors from the power supply. Especially the extra power for some new graphics cards. Speaking of power, if the power supply is malfunctioning it can cause everything from odd problems to catastrophic damage. If the system was just upgraded the PS might not be able to take it (graphics cards, burners, HDs) plus they fail a lot. They are cheap though, swapping a power supply is cheaper than replacing a graphics card or a MB. Perhaps a borrowed one to trouble shoot with?  

[Sirgod]

thanks Guys, I'll look into It a bit more. It's relativly new system I put together, and yes the Graphics card is PCI. From back when my old system crashed, and I got a new MB. It didn't have a AGB slot, so I grabbed the 64 MB PCI card.

anyway, since It had more memory then any AGB card I had, I went ahead and put It in the new MB I have now. the last one got fried by a Faulty Power supply. Anyways, I'll check into It today, and see what I can figure out, as I still have a few other Video cards lying around.

stephen

[vsfedwards]

Lol, my connector cable for my monitor is so crappy, that if I knock my comp a lil hard "cable is disconnected", I find that hilarious. In a few months Im thinking of getting a new G card anyway...I heards some bad things about geforcefx 5200...but its half the price of the 5600...also Ive never touched any other graphics card other than Nvidia, any reccomendations on any other decent manufacturers? Something in the range of £50 - £90...?

 

[digi]

   Its that AMD you computer hacker you!!!!

Generally though I agree with the other posts.  I'd start small though and check the pins in the monitor cable.  Try a different cable or buy another one.  If that doesn't fix it move onto the graphics card.  See if you can borrow someone elses graphics card and test to see if thats the problem.

Andy - I'm a nVidia nut myself but at the moment I'm still sticking with my Ti4600 128Mb.  My work machine has a FX5800 and it sounds horrendous.  But we're all told that the FX5900 and FX5950 are much better on the sound.  However those are real pricey cards so I'd check out the FX5700 which is replacing the FX5600 for christmas.  The best manufacturer I've heard of is Gainward but I think recommendations may vary between people.

Just looked on  dabs.com :

 Gainward FX5700 128Mb   £121.00 inc VAT
 Gainward FX5700 256Mb   £140.00 inc VAT    

[vsfedwards]

Thanks buddy, always on dabs. Got my Geforce 4 there, it was 70 when i got it (4 months ago) and its 45 now lol.

[Kmelew]

Quote:
thanks Guys, I'll look into It a bit more. It's relativly new system I put together, and yes the Graphics card is PCI. From back when my old system crashed, and I got a new MB. It didn't have a AGB slot, so I grabbed the 64 MB PCI card.

anyway, since It had more memory then any AGB card I had, I went ahead and put It in the new MB I have now. the last one got fried by a Faulty Power supply. Anyways, I'll check into It today, and see what I can figure out, as I still have a few other Video cards lying around.

stephen  

The reason why I asked is because the PC on first bootup is applying the necessary PCI resources to the video card, and the second reboot puts those resources in effect.  You may want to go into your motherboard setup and see if you can lock down certain interupts and DMA channels to the PCI bus.  

[Dash Jones]

Here are two other rather simple tests.  Have you tried booting in safe mode.  If not, try.

If the screen shows up in Safe Mode, then the following is occurring.

#1- Your settings have the resolution over the point which your screen can handle it, change it to a lower resolution in Safe mode

#2 - You have a problem with the refresh rate coordination between your monitor and the Computer/card.  change the refresh rate to show up on your screen.

A simple check that is cheaper and easier to do.  Used it all the time when installing OS to a computer and hooking it up to an older monitor, the monitor would not show a thing (in bios it would, but the monitor would not show anything after the OS started to boot), then my uncle came in and did that simple thing, and everything worked wonderfully.

[Towelie]

 I get the impression that this is happening during the POST and BIOS startup screen.

  Does the monitor ever display anything during the initial startup? Does your monitor light indicate a power saving mode and does it ever power up on these failed attempts?

  I would suspect monitor and video card as prime suspects. I have had problems with bent pins before. I just use an old video card that I will never use again along with needle nose pliers and straighten them out. I use the old video card as a guide to help me re-align them.

[Sirgod]

Quote:
 I get the impression that this is happening during the POST and BIOS startup screen.

  Does the monitor ever display anything during the initial startup? Does your monitor light indicate a power saving mode and does it ever power up on these failed attempts?

  I would suspect monitor and video card as prime suspects. I have had problems with bent pins before. I just use an old video card that I will never use again along with needle nose pliers and straighten them out. I use the old video card as a guide to help me re-align them.  

Hmm without changning anything yet, I have noticed that when I shut down the system completly and then start up the PC , everything works fine. however, When I do a restart , the monitor does not display anything, but I can turn It off (ie. t shows amber, then off) , then turn It on, amber to Green. and everything is ok. It might be The moniter, But just in case, I'll check the Bios/ Cmos just to make sure Everything is set right as far as Energy saving, and to see If there is possibly a conflict.

I know I just flashed my Bios recently, But If there was an error there, nothing would work right?

Stephen

[Stormbringer]

some mb's have dual bios as a back up. I don't know the particulars of how that works.

[Towelie]

Quote:
When I do a restart , the monitor does not display anything, but I can turn It off (ie. t shows amber, then off) , then turn It on, amber to Green. and everything is ok.

   I would now very strongly suspect the monitor is staying in power saving mode/off when it should be powering up. It would seem most likely just a minor nuisance for the time.

[IKV Nemesis D7L]

In the BIOS does it have an option to choose which video card to start with AGP/PCI?  You may have it defaulting to the non existant AGP card.   Also try resetting the video card.  It may (due to heating and cooling cycles) have come a little loose.  On the reboot it may have warmed enough to make full contact but not on the intial bootup.  

[Barabbas]

Quote:
In the BIOS does it have an option to choose which video card to start with AGP/PCI?  You may have it defaulting to the non existant AGP card.   Also try resetting the video card.  It may (due to heating and cooling cycles) have come a little loose.  On the reboot it may have warmed enough to make full contact but not on the intial bootup.  

This is where I'd look first, although if you do have an AGP card available, it would almost certainly be better to use that than a PCI card, even if the PCI card has more memory.

[Sirgod]

BTW, I switched the PCi Card with the one that you had sent me Barrabs, and It still does the same thing. I'm going to examine the Bios settings abit more, and See If that works. If not, I'll swipe my wifes monitor. I like It better anyway.

<what's that Dear, Oh nothing Denise Nothing at all, just chatting with the guys.  >

Stephen

[Javora]

Quote:
BTW, I switched the PCi Card with the one that you had sent me Barrabs, and It still does the same thing. I'm going to examine the Bios settings abit more, and See If that works. If not, I'll swipe my wifes monitor. I like It better anyway.

<what's that Dear, Oh nothing Denise Nothing at all, just chatting with the guys.  >

Stephen  

IMHO I would switch out the monitor first as I think that is the problem.  However if you think there is a COMS/BIOS error I would suggest unplugging the power cord from the power supply.  Hold the power button for about 7~10 seconds, then remove the battery and clear the CMOS jumper.  Then put the battery back and power up the system and see if the error remains.

However from what you described, this really sounds like a monitor going bad, and again I would look at that first.
 

[Sirgod]

Ok here's the situation. Everytime I restart my PC, It comes back up, Ie. the CPU fan and externall fans run, I can see the Hard drive loading, but every other time, My moniter does not come on to show what's going on.

In other words, I have to start my PC twice to Get the Monitor to work.

Here's a very long list of stats from belarc, showing my PC.

any ideas are more then appreciated.

thanks

 Code:

 Operating System   System Model 
Windows 98 SE (build 4.10.2222)   MSI MS-6712 1.0 
Processor a   Main Circuit Board b 
1.67 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache   Board: MSI MS-6712 1.0
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. Version 07.00T 04/02/01 
Drives   Memory Modules c,d 
41.10 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
20.54 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

JLMS XJ-HD166S [CD-ROM drive]

Generic IDE hard disk drive (41.10 GB) -- drive 0, No SMART Driver   512 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot '0' has 256 MB
Slot '1' has 256 MB
Slot '2' is Empty 
  Local Drive Volumes 
     
c: (on drive 0) 41.10 GB 20.54 GB free 
 
Logins   Network Drives 
No details available      
 
Installed Microsoft Hotfixes   Printers 
DataAccess 
    Q329414-21  (details...)  on 10/24/03 
    Q329414-25  (details...)  on 11/27/03 
DirectX 
    DX819696  (details...)   
Internet Explorer 
    Q313829  (details...)   
    Q330994  (details...)   
    Q824145  (details...)   
    Q828750  (details...)   
    SP1  (SP1)   
MSXML4 
    Q317244  (details...)   
Win98.SE 
    UPD238453  (details...)   
    UPD256015  (details...)   
    UPD259728  (details...)   
    UPD273017  (details...)   
    UPD273991  (details...)   
    UPDQ823559  (details...)   
Win98 
    UPD245729  (details...)   
    UPD323172  (details...)   
    UPD323255  (details...)   
    UPD329115  (details...)   
    UPD811630  (details...)   
Windows Media Player 
    WM819639  (details...)   


Click here to see all available security Hotfixes. 

 Marks a HotFix that verifies correctly 
 Marks a HotFix that fails verification 
(Failing hotfixes need to be reinstalled) 
An unmarked HotFix lacks the data to allow verification    None detected   
Controllers   Display 
Standard Floppy Disk Controller
Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller   NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 [Display adapter]
Compaq V70 [Monitor] (14.9"vis, s/n 642CB03EE132, October 1996) 
Bus Adapters   Multimedia 
VIA PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller   Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller
Wave Device for Voice Modem 
Communications   Other Devices 
Generic SoftK56 Data Fax Voice Speakerphone Handset [Modem]
VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter   Generic PCI Modem Enumerator
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
USB 2.0 Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub 
Software Licenses 
  
Microsoft - EBook 55901-830-0734464-04511  
Microsoft - Internet Explorer 55736-841-9946257-04276 (Key: ) 
Microsoft - MediaPlayer 69808-345-9875607-04533  
Microsoft - Office XP Professional with FrontPage 54185-640-0000025-17901 (Key: ) 
Microsoft - Windows 98 SE 29703-OEM-0087283-05977 (Key: )
 
Software Versions 
Red Alert Windows 95 Edition * 
Activision - Ereg Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Activision - Star Trek Armada 2 Version 32, 0, 0, 0 * 
Activision Publishing, Inc. - Shortcut to sfc3_1.01_beta_patch_us * 
Adobe Acrobat Version 4.0.000 * 
ahead software gmbh im stoeckmaedle 6 76307 karlsbad, germany Phone: ++49-7248-911-800 Fax: ++49-7248-911-888 e-mail: info@nero.com - Nero - Burning Rom Version 5, 5, 3, 0 * 
ahead software gmbh, karlsbad - Cover Designer Version 2, 0, 1, 3 * 
Aphid Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Apple Computer, Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 6.4 * 
Belarc, Inc. - BelManage Client Version 6.0j * 
Bethesda Softworks Morrowind Launcher Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Bethesda Softworks TES Construction Set Version 1.2.0722 * 
BioWare Corp. - Neverwinter Nights Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Diablo II Uninstaller Version 1.05 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Frozen Throne Version 1, 5, 0, 0 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Warcraft III Uninstaller Version 1.00C * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Warcraft III Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - World Editor Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Blizzard Entertainment Diablo Version 96, 12, 26, 3 * 
Blizzard North Diablo II Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Boggle * 
Cheyenne BitWare Version 3.30.00.20 * 
Cinematix Studios - Revenant Version 1.0.0.0 * 
CyberLink Corp. - PowerDVD Version 4.00.2417 * 
D - SFC III Upgrade Utility Application Beta 3, 0, 0, 0 * 
Diablo Uninstaller * 
EarthLink FixMail Version 2003.0.1.12 * 
EarthLink TotalAccess Version 2003.1.12.0 * 
Eastman Software, Inc., A Kodak Business - Imaging for Windows® Version 1.01.1311 * 
ELNhelp.exe * 
Empire Earth * 
Empire Earth - The Art of Conquest * 
FinalSetup Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Frontcode Technologies - WinMX Version 3.31 * 
GameSpy Arcade Version 1.10 Build 5067 * 
Ghost Recon * 
GoodMEM * 
Great_BoBaFeTT@hotmail.com - BoBaFeTT's Trainer Version 6, 7, 0, 0 * 
GSview 4.5 * 
HellEditNew.exe * 
home - Hero Editor Version 0.00.0066 * 
InstallDriver Module Version 7.02 * 
InstallShield Software Corporation - PackageForTheWeb Stub Version 2.02.001 * 
InstallShield unInstaller Version 2.20.926.0 * 
InterActual Technologies, Inc. - iPlayer Version 2.04.08.0409 * 
InterActual Technologies, Inc. - ITIUninstaller Version 2.04.08.0129 * 
InterVocative Software - DVD Profiler Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Launch Dedicated Server on ubi.com * 
LEC Multiplayer Home Page * 
LucasArts Entertainment Company - Jedi Knight Launcher Version 1.0 * 
MICRO-STAR INT'L CO., LTD - FuzzyLogic 4 Version 4.1.1.7 * 
Microsoft (r) Windows Script Host Version 5.6.0.6626 * 
Microsoft Clip Organizer Version 10.0.2625 *  Microsoft Corporation - Age of Empires II Expansion Version 2.1 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Age of Empires II Version 2.0a * 
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow Version 6.4.07.1121 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 6.00.2800.1106 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer Version 2.0.2600.1 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Telephony Version 4.10.2000 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows® NetMeeting® Version 3.01 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Zoo Tycoon Version 12.04.00.0009 * 
Microsoft Ensemble Studios Age of Mythology - The Titans Expansion Version 4.2003.10. * 
Microsoft Ensemble Studios Age of Mythology Version 3.2002.10. * 
Microsoft Games Setup Version 1.2003.02.0463 * 
Microsoft Games Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Microsoft imgstart Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Microsoft Office Save My Settings/Profile Wizard Version 10.0.2609 * 
Microsoft Office XP Version 10.0.2627 * 
Microsoft Outlook Version 10.0.2616 * 
Microsoft(R) Windows Media Player Version 9.00.00.2980 * 
Microsoft® Internet Services Version 6.1.33.0 * 
Microsoft® Reader Version 2.1.1 * 
MindVision - Installer VISE 2.8.3 Version 2.8.3 * 
Mpath Interactive - WebBullet Internet Service Version 1, 3, 0, 0 * 
MudSoft - Shadowmaster Version 0.87beta * 
Nemo's UWF Special Edition * 
Play Slingo * 
Play Ultima IX * 
Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - RtlRack Application Version 1.7.0.0 * 
Realtek Sound Manager Version 5.1.05 * 
Red Alert DOS Version * 
Red Alert Map Editor * 
Red Alert Windows 95 Edition Setup * 
Scrabble * 
SFC Configuration * 
SFC3 Setup Utility Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Shortcut to JamellaD2Editor * 
SierraUp Application Version 1, 4, 0, 7 * 
SierraUpdate Version 2.0.0.2 * 
SierraUtilites (32bit Version) Version 1, 6, 0, 4 * 
Starfleet Command - Gold Edition * 
Synergistic Software Hellfire Version 98, 1, 13, 1 * 
System Diagnostic * 
Taldren Inc. - StarFleet Command III - TNG Version 1.01 * 
Trend Pc-cillin 9.0 Version 9.0.5 * 
Ubi Soft Entertainment - Game Service 4 Core Version 4, 3, 0, 6 * 
Update Age of Mythology * 
Update Age of Mythology - The Titans Expansion * 
UpdateIPR.exe * 
UpdateMonitor Application Version 1, 0, 0, 3 * 
Video Test * 
Visit www.lucasarts.com * 
Westwood Studios - Launcher Version 1.0 * 
WinZip Version 9.0 (5611) * 
Xteq Systems X-Setup Version 6.0 *  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
* Click to see where software is installed.
a. Megahertz measurement may be inaccurate if other programs were busy during last analysis.
b. Data may be transferred on the bus at one, two, or four times the Bus Clock rate.
c. Memory slot contents may not add up to Installed Memory if some memory is not recognized by Windows.
d. Memory slot contents is reported by the motherboard BIOS. Contact system vendor if slot contents are wrong.
e. This may be the manufacturer's factory installed product key rather than yours.  
 

thanks,

stephen

edited to remove keys. DOH!!!  

[Kmelew]

Does your monitor have an LED that shows whether or not it's receiving data (ie amber for not connected, green for connected)?

Also, is your video card PCI or AGP?  

[Taldren_Admin]

When your system begins its boot up does it show the video card spec in the first (second) screen?
Have you switched out your video card to see if it is the problem?

If the answer is yes to both of those then I would say...
Been there, dont that, got new motherboard...problem solved

I can't tell you if that is the fix for you but I would bet that it is.

Ann
 

[Stormbringer]

Before going that far though there are some other things that may cause a monitor to not fire up.  bent or loose pins on the video cable head that connects to the PC or cards video connector. Mine is loose and I must occasionally wiggle the connector to get it to come up. Does the MB pass the post or does it emit a coded beep sequence at these times? reseat the card if any and also the memory modules. Try moving the card to another PCI slot if it is a PCI card (getting rare, these days) try the onboard graphics chip (uninstall or otherwise disable the graphics card.) uninstall the card driver after switching to onboard graphics and reinstall the card driver. If the MB does not pass post rcheck all the connectors from the power supply. Especially the extra power for some new graphics cards. Speaking of power, if the power supply is malfunctioning it can cause everything from odd problems to catastrophic damage. If the system was just upgraded the PS might not be able to take it (graphics cards, burners, HDs) plus they fail a lot. They are cheap though, swapping a power supply is cheaper than replacing a graphics card or a MB. Perhaps a borrowed one to trouble shoot with?  

[Sirgod]

thanks Guys, I'll look into It a bit more. It's relativly new system I put together, and yes the Graphics card is PCI. From back when my old system crashed, and I got a new MB. It didn't have a AGB slot, so I grabbed the 64 MB PCI card.

anyway, since It had more memory then any AGB card I had, I went ahead and put It in the new MB I have now. the last one got fried by a Faulty Power supply. Anyways, I'll check into It today, and see what I can figure out, as I still have a few other Video cards lying around.

stephen

[vsfedwards]

Lol, my connector cable for my monitor is so crappy, that if I knock my comp a lil hard "cable is disconnected", I find that hilarious. In a few months Im thinking of getting a new G card anyway...I heards some bad things about geforcefx 5200...but its half the price of the 5600...also Ive never touched any other graphics card other than Nvidia, any reccomendations on any other decent manufacturers? Something in the range of £50 - £90...?

 

[digi]

   Its that AMD you computer hacker you!!!!

Generally though I agree with the other posts.  I'd start small though and check the pins in the monitor cable.  Try a different cable or buy another one.  If that doesn't fix it move onto the graphics card.  See if you can borrow someone elses graphics card and test to see if thats the problem.

Andy - I'm a nVidia nut myself but at the moment I'm still sticking with my Ti4600 128Mb.  My work machine has a FX5800 and it sounds horrendous.  But we're all told that the FX5900 and FX5950 are much better on the sound.  However those are real pricey cards so I'd check out the FX5700 which is replacing the FX5600 for christmas.  The best manufacturer I've heard of is Gainward but I think recommendations may vary between people.

Just looked on  dabs.com :

 Gainward FX5700 128Mb   £121.00 inc VAT
 Gainward FX5700 256Mb   £140.00 inc VAT    

[vsfedwards]

Thanks buddy, always on dabs. Got my Geforce 4 there, it was 70 when i got it (4 months ago) and its 45 now lol.

[Kmelew]

Quote:
thanks Guys, I'll look into It a bit more. It's relativly new system I put together, and yes the Graphics card is PCI. From back when my old system crashed, and I got a new MB. It didn't have a AGB slot, so I grabbed the 64 MB PCI card.

anyway, since It had more memory then any AGB card I had, I went ahead and put It in the new MB I have now. the last one got fried by a Faulty Power supply. Anyways, I'll check into It today, and see what I can figure out, as I still have a few other Video cards lying around.

stephen  

The reason why I asked is because the PC on first bootup is applying the necessary PCI resources to the video card, and the second reboot puts those resources in effect.  You may want to go into your motherboard setup and see if you can lock down certain interupts and DMA channels to the PCI bus.  

[Dash Jones]

Here are two other rather simple tests.  Have you tried booting in safe mode.  If not, try.

If the screen shows up in Safe Mode, then the following is occurring.

#1- Your settings have the resolution over the point which your screen can handle it, change it to a lower resolution in Safe mode

#2 - You have a problem with the refresh rate coordination between your monitor and the Computer/card.  change the refresh rate to show up on your screen.

A simple check that is cheaper and easier to do.  Used it all the time when installing OS to a computer and hooking it up to an older monitor, the monitor would not show a thing (in bios it would, but the monitor would not show anything after the OS started to boot), then my uncle came in and did that simple thing, and everything worked wonderfully.

[Towelie]

 I get the impression that this is happening during the POST and BIOS startup screen.

  Does the monitor ever display anything during the initial startup? Does your monitor light indicate a power saving mode and does it ever power up on these failed attempts?

  I would suspect monitor and video card as prime suspects. I have had problems with bent pins before. I just use an old video card that I will never use again along with needle nose pliers and straighten them out. I use the old video card as a guide to help me re-align them.

[Sirgod]

Quote:
 I get the impression that this is happening during the POST and BIOS startup screen.

  Does the monitor ever display anything during the initial startup? Does your monitor light indicate a power saving mode and does it ever power up on these failed attempts?

  I would suspect monitor and video card as prime suspects. I have had problems with bent pins before. I just use an old video card that I will never use again along with needle nose pliers and straighten them out. I use the old video card as a guide to help me re-align them.  

Hmm without changning anything yet, I have noticed that when I shut down the system completly and then start up the PC , everything works fine. however, When I do a restart , the monitor does not display anything, but I can turn It off (ie. t shows amber, then off) , then turn It on, amber to Green. and everything is ok. It might be The moniter, But just in case, I'll check the Bios/ Cmos just to make sure Everything is set right as far as Energy saving, and to see If there is possibly a conflict.

I know I just flashed my Bios recently, But If there was an error there, nothing would work right?

Stephen

[Stormbringer]

some mb's have dual bios as a back up. I don't know the particulars of how that works.

[Towelie]

Quote:
When I do a restart , the monitor does not display anything, but I can turn It off (ie. t shows amber, then off) , then turn It on, amber to Green. and everything is ok.

   I would now very strongly suspect the monitor is staying in power saving mode/off when it should be powering up. It would seem most likely just a minor nuisance for the time.

[IKV Nemesis D7L]

In the BIOS does it have an option to choose which video card to start with AGP/PCI?  You may have it defaulting to the non existant AGP card.   Also try resetting the video card.  It may (due to heating and cooling cycles) have come a little loose.  On the reboot it may have warmed enough to make full contact but not on the intial bootup.  

[Barabbas]

Quote:
In the BIOS does it have an option to choose which video card to start with AGP/PCI?  You may have it defaulting to the non existant AGP card.   Also try resetting the video card.  It may (due to heating and cooling cycles) have come a little loose.  On the reboot it may have warmed enough to make full contact but not on the intial bootup.  

This is where I'd look first, although if you do have an AGP card available, it would almost certainly be better to use that than a PCI card, even if the PCI card has more memory.

[Sirgod]

BTW, I switched the PCi Card with the one that you had sent me Barrabs, and It still does the same thing. I'm going to examine the Bios settings abit more, and See If that works. If not, I'll swipe my wifes monitor. I like It better anyway.

<what's that Dear, Oh nothing Denise Nothing at all, just chatting with the guys.  >

Stephen

[Javora]

Quote:
BTW, I switched the PCi Card with the one that you had sent me Barrabs, and It still does the same thing. I'm going to examine the Bios settings abit more, and See If that works. If not, I'll swipe my wifes monitor. I like It better anyway.

<what's that Dear, Oh nothing Denise Nothing at all, just chatting with the guys.  >

Stephen  

IMHO I would switch out the monitor first as I think that is the problem.  However if you think there is a COMS/BIOS error I would suggest unplugging the power cord from the power supply.  Hold the power button for about 7~10 seconds, then remove the battery and clear the CMOS jumper.  Then put the battery back and power up the system and see if the error remains.

However from what you described, this really sounds like a monitor going bad, and again I would look at that first.
 

[Sirgod]

Ok here's the situation. Everytime I restart my PC, It comes back up, Ie. the CPU fan and externall fans run, I can see the Hard drive loading, but every other time, My moniter does not come on to show what's going on.

In other words, I have to start my PC twice to Get the Monitor to work.

Here's a very long list of stats from belarc, showing my PC.

any ideas are more then appreciated.

thanks

 Code:

 Operating System   System Model 
Windows 98 SE (build 4.10.2222)   MSI MS-6712 1.0 
Processor a   Main Circuit Board b 
1.67 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache   Board: MSI MS-6712 1.0
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. Version 07.00T 04/02/01 
Drives   Memory Modules c,d 
41.10 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
20.54 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

JLMS XJ-HD166S [CD-ROM drive]

Generic IDE hard disk drive (41.10 GB) -- drive 0, No SMART Driver   512 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot '0' has 256 MB
Slot '1' has 256 MB
Slot '2' is Empty 
  Local Drive Volumes 
     
c: (on drive 0) 41.10 GB 20.54 GB free 
 
Logins   Network Drives 
No details available      
 
Installed Microsoft Hotfixes   Printers 
DataAccess 
    Q329414-21  (details...)  on 10/24/03 
    Q329414-25  (details...)  on 11/27/03 
DirectX 
    DX819696  (details...)   
Internet Explorer 
    Q313829  (details...)   
    Q330994  (details...)   
    Q824145  (details...)   
    Q828750  (details...)   
    SP1  (SP1)   
MSXML4 
    Q317244  (details...)   
Win98.SE 
    UPD238453  (details...)   
    UPD256015  (details...)   
    UPD259728  (details...)   
    UPD273017  (details...)   
    UPD273991  (details...)   
    UPDQ823559  (details...)   
Win98 
    UPD245729  (details...)   
    UPD323172  (details...)   
    UPD323255  (details...)   
    UPD329115  (details...)   
    UPD811630  (details...)   
Windows Media Player 
    WM819639  (details...)   


Click here to see all available security Hotfixes. 

 Marks a HotFix that verifies correctly 
 Marks a HotFix that fails verification 
(Failing hotfixes need to be reinstalled) 
An unmarked HotFix lacks the data to allow verification    None detected   
Controllers   Display 
Standard Floppy Disk Controller
Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller   NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 [Display adapter]
Compaq V70 [Monitor] (14.9"vis, s/n 642CB03EE132, October 1996) 
Bus Adapters   Multimedia 
VIA PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller   Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller
Wave Device for Voice Modem 
Communications   Other Devices 
Generic SoftK56 Data Fax Voice Speakerphone Handset [Modem]
VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter   Generic PCI Modem Enumerator
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
USB 2.0 Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub 
Software Licenses 
  
Microsoft - EBook 55901-830-0734464-04511  
Microsoft - Internet Explorer 55736-841-9946257-04276 (Key: ) 
Microsoft - MediaPlayer 69808-345-9875607-04533  
Microsoft - Office XP Professional with FrontPage 54185-640-0000025-17901 (Key: ) 
Microsoft - Windows 98 SE 29703-OEM-0087283-05977 (Key: )
 
Software Versions 
Red Alert Windows 95 Edition * 
Activision - Ereg Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Activision - Star Trek Armada 2 Version 32, 0, 0, 0 * 
Activision Publishing, Inc. - Shortcut to sfc3_1.01_beta_patch_us * 
Adobe Acrobat Version 4.0.000 * 
ahead software gmbh im stoeckmaedle 6 76307 karlsbad, germany Phone: ++49-7248-911-800 Fax: ++49-7248-911-888 e-mail: info@nero.com - Nero - Burning Rom Version 5, 5, 3, 0 * 
ahead software gmbh, karlsbad - Cover Designer Version 2, 0, 1, 3 * 
Aphid Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Apple Computer, Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 6.4 * 
Belarc, Inc. - BelManage Client Version 6.0j * 
Bethesda Softworks Morrowind Launcher Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Bethesda Softworks TES Construction Set Version 1.2.0722 * 
BioWare Corp. - Neverwinter Nights Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Diablo II Uninstaller Version 1.05 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Frozen Throne Version 1, 5, 0, 0 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Warcraft III Uninstaller Version 1.00C * 
Blizzard Entertainment - Warcraft III Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Blizzard Entertainment - World Editor Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Blizzard Entertainment Diablo Version 96, 12, 26, 3 * 
Blizzard North Diablo II Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Boggle * 
Cheyenne BitWare Version 3.30.00.20 * 
Cinematix Studios - Revenant Version 1.0.0.0 * 
CyberLink Corp. - PowerDVD Version 4.00.2417 * 
D - SFC III Upgrade Utility Application Beta 3, 0, 0, 0 * 
Diablo Uninstaller * 
EarthLink FixMail Version 2003.0.1.12 * 
EarthLink TotalAccess Version 2003.1.12.0 * 
Eastman Software, Inc., A Kodak Business - Imaging for Windows® Version 1.01.1311 * 
ELNhelp.exe * 
Empire Earth * 
Empire Earth - The Art of Conquest * 
FinalSetup Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Frontcode Technologies - WinMX Version 3.31 * 
GameSpy Arcade Version 1.10 Build 5067 * 
Ghost Recon * 
GoodMEM * 
Great_BoBaFeTT@hotmail.com - BoBaFeTT's Trainer Version 6, 7, 0, 0 * 
GSview 4.5 * 
HellEditNew.exe * 
home - Hero Editor Version 0.00.0066 * 
InstallDriver Module Version 7.02 * 
InstallShield Software Corporation - PackageForTheWeb Stub Version 2.02.001 * 
InstallShield unInstaller Version 2.20.926.0 * 
InterActual Technologies, Inc. - iPlayer Version 2.04.08.0409 * 
InterActual Technologies, Inc. - ITIUninstaller Version 2.04.08.0129 * 
InterVocative Software - DVD Profiler Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Launch Dedicated Server on ubi.com * 
LEC Multiplayer Home Page * 
LucasArts Entertainment Company - Jedi Knight Launcher Version 1.0 * 
MICRO-STAR INT'L CO., LTD - FuzzyLogic 4 Version 4.1.1.7 * 
Microsoft (r) Windows Script Host Version 5.6.0.6626 * 
Microsoft Clip Organizer Version 10.0.2625 *  Microsoft Corporation - Age of Empires II Expansion Version 2.1 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Age of Empires II Version 2.0a * 
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow Version 6.4.07.1121 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 6.00.2800.1106 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer Version 2.0.2600.1 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Telephony Version 4.10.2000 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows® NetMeeting® Version 3.01 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Zoo Tycoon Version 12.04.00.0009 * 
Microsoft Ensemble Studios Age of Mythology - The Titans Expansion Version 4.2003.10. * 
Microsoft Ensemble Studios Age of Mythology Version 3.2002.10. * 
Microsoft Games Setup Version 1.2003.02.0463 * 
Microsoft Games Version 1.0.0.0 * 
Microsoft imgstart Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Microsoft Office Save My Settings/Profile Wizard Version 10.0.2609 * 
Microsoft Office XP Version 10.0.2627 * 
Microsoft Outlook Version 10.0.2616 * 
Microsoft(R) Windows Media Player Version 9.00.00.2980 * 
Microsoft® Internet Services Version 6.1.33.0 * 
Microsoft® Reader Version 2.1.1 * 
MindVision - Installer VISE 2.8.3 Version 2.8.3 * 
Mpath Interactive - WebBullet Internet Service Version 1, 3, 0, 0 * 
MudSoft - Shadowmaster Version 0.87beta * 
Nemo's UWF Special Edition * 
Play Slingo * 
Play Ultima IX * 
Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - RtlRack Application Version 1.7.0.0 * 
Realtek Sound Manager Version 5.1.05 * 
Red Alert DOS Version * 
Red Alert Map Editor * 
Red Alert Windows 95 Edition Setup * 
Scrabble * 
SFC Configuration * 
SFC3 Setup Utility Version 1, 0, 0, 1 * 
Shortcut to JamellaD2Editor * 
SierraUp Application Version 1, 4, 0, 7 * 
SierraUpdate Version 2.0.0.2 * 
SierraUtilites (32bit Version) Version 1, 6, 0, 4 * 
Starfleet Command - Gold Edition * 
Synergistic Software Hellfire Version 98, 1, 13, 1 * 
System Diagnostic * 
Taldren Inc. - StarFleet Command III - TNG Version 1.01 * 
Trend Pc-cillin 9.0 Version 9.0.5 * 
Ubi Soft Entertainment - Game Service 4 Core Version 4, 3, 0, 6 * 
Update Age of Mythology * 
Update Age of Mythology - The Titans Expansion * 
UpdateIPR.exe * 
UpdateMonitor Application Version 1, 0, 0, 3 * 
Video Test * 
Visit www.lucasarts.com * 
Westwood Studios - Launcher Version 1.0 * 
WinZip Version 9.0 (5611) * 
Xteq Systems X-Setup Version 6.0 *  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
* Click to see where software is installed.
a. Megahertz measurement may be inaccurate if other programs were busy during last analysis.
b. Data may be transferred on the bus at one, two, or four times the Bus Clock rate.
c. Memory slot contents may not add up to Installed Memory if some memory is not recognized by Windows.
d. Memory slot contents is reported by the motherboard BIOS. Contact system vendor if slot contents are wrong.
e. This may be the manufacturer's factory installed product key rather than yours.  
 

thanks,

stephen

edited to remove keys. DOH!!!  

[Kmelew]

Does your monitor have an LED that shows whether or not it's receiving data (ie amber for not connected, green for connected)?

Also, is your video card PCI or AGP?  

[Taldren_Admin]

When your system begins its boot up does it show the video card spec in the first (second) screen?
Have you switched out your video card to see if it is the problem?

If the answer is yes to both of those then I would say...
Been there, dont that, got new motherboard...problem solved

I can't tell you if that is the fix for you but I would bet that it is.

Ann
 

[Stormbringer]

Before going that far though there are some other things that may cause a monitor to not fire up.  bent or loose pins on the video cable head that connects to the PC or cards video connector. Mine is loose and I must occasionally wiggle the connector to get it to come up. Does the MB pass the post or does it emit a coded beep sequence at these times? reseat the card if any and also the memory modules. Try moving the card to another PCI slot if it is a PCI card (getting rare, these days) try the onboard graphics chip (uninstall or otherwise disable the graphics card.) uninstall the card driver after switching to onboard graphics and reinstall the card driver. If the MB does not pass post rcheck all the connectors from the power supply. Especially the extra power for some new graphics cards. Speaking of power, if the power supply is malfunctioning it can cause everything from odd problems to catastrophic damage. If the system was just upgraded the PS might not be able to take it (graphics cards, burners, HDs) plus they fail a lot. They are cheap though, swapping a power supply is cheaper than replacing a graphics card or a MB. Perhaps a borrowed one to trouble shoot with?  

[Sirgod]

thanks Guys, I'll look into It a bit more. It's relativly new system I put together, and yes the Graphics card is PCI. From back when my old system crashed, and I got a new MB. It didn't have a AGB slot, so I grabbed the 64 MB PCI card.

anyway, since It had more memory then any AGB card I had, I went ahead and put It in the new MB I have now. the last one got fried by a Faulty Power supply. Anyways, I'll check into It today, and see what I can figure out, as I still have a few other Video cards lying around.

stephen

[vsfedwards]

Lol, my connector cable for my monitor is so crappy, that if I knock my comp a lil hard "cable is disconnected", I find that hilarious. In a few months Im thinking of getting a new G card anyway...I heards some bad things about geforcefx 5200...but its half the price of the 5600...also Ive never touched any other graphics card other than Nvidia, any reccomendations on any other decent manufacturers? Something in the range of £50 - £90...?

 

[digi]

   Its that AMD you computer hacker you!!!!

Generally though I agree with the other posts.  I'd start small though and check the pins in the monitor cable.  Try a different cable or buy another one.  If that doesn't fix it move onto the graphics card.  See if you can borrow someone elses graphics card and test to see if thats the problem.

Andy - I'm a nVidia nut myself but at the moment I'm still sticking with my Ti4600 128Mb.  My work machine has a FX5800 and it sounds horrendous.  But we're all told that the FX5900 and FX5950 are much better on the sound.  However those are real pricey cards so I'd check out the FX5700 which is replacing the FX5600 for christmas.  The best manufacturer I've heard of is Gainward but I think recommendations may vary between people.

Just looked on  dabs.com :

 Gainward FX5700 128Mb   £121.00 inc VAT
 Gainward FX5700 256Mb   £140.00 inc VAT    

[vsfedwards]

Thanks buddy, always on dabs. Got my Geforce 4 there, it was 70 when i got it (4 months ago) and its 45 now lol.

[Kmelew]

Quote:
thanks Guys, I'll look into It a bit more. It's relativly new system I put together, and yes the Graphics card is PCI. From back when my old system crashed, and I got a new MB. It didn't have a AGB slot, so I grabbed the 64 MB PCI card.

anyway, since It had more memory then any AGB card I had, I went ahead and put It in the new MB I have now. the last one got fried by a Faulty Power supply. Anyways, I'll check into It today, and see what I can figure out, as I still have a few other Video cards lying around.

stephen  

The reason why I asked is because the PC on first bootup is applying the necessary PCI resources to the video card, and the second reboot puts those resources in effect.  You may want to go into your motherboard setup and see if you can lock down certain interupts and DMA channels to the PCI bus.  

[Dash Jones]

Here are two other rather simple tests.  Have you tried booting in safe mode.  If not, try.

If the screen shows up in Safe Mode, then the following is occurring.

#1- Your settings have the resolution over the point which your screen can handle it, change it to a lower resolution in Safe mode

#2 - You have a problem with the refresh rate coordination between your monitor and the Computer/card.  change the refresh rate to show up on your screen.

A simple check that is cheaper and easier to do.  Used it all the time when installing OS to a computer and hooking it up to an older monitor, the monitor would not show a thing (in bios it would, but the monitor would not show anything after the OS started to boot), then my uncle came in and did that simple thing, and everything worked wonderfully.

[Towelie]

 I get the impression that this is happening during the POST and BIOS startup screen.

  Does the monitor ever display anything during the initial startup? Does your monitor light indicate a power saving mode and does it ever power up on these failed attempts?

  I would suspect monitor and video card as prime suspects. I have had problems with bent pins before. I just use an old video card that I will never use again along with needle nose pliers and straighten them out. I use the old video card as a guide to help me re-align them.

[Sirgod]

Quote:
 I get the impression that this is happening during the POST and BIOS startup screen.

  Does the monitor ever display anything during the initial startup? Does your monitor light indicate a power saving mode and does it ever power up on these failed attempts?

  I would suspect monitor and video card as prime suspects. I have had problems with bent pins before. I just use an old video card that I will never use again along with needle nose pliers and straighten them out. I use the old video card as a guide to help me re-align them.  

Hmm without changning anything yet, I have noticed that when I shut down the system completly and then start up the PC , everything works fine. however, When I do a restart , the monitor does not display anything, but I can turn It off (ie. t shows amber, then off) , then turn It on, amber to Green. and everything is ok. It might be The moniter, But just in case, I'll check the Bios/ Cmos just to make sure Everything is set right as far as Energy saving, and to see If there is possibly a conflict.

I know I just flashed my Bios recently, But If there was an error there, nothing would work right?

Stephen

[Stormbringer]

some mb's have dual bios as a back up. I don't know the particulars of how that works.

[Towelie]

Quote:
When I do a restart , the monitor does not display anything, but I can turn It off (ie. t shows amber, then off) , then turn It on, amber to Green. and everything is ok.

   I would now very strongly suspect the monitor is staying in power saving mode/off when it should be powering up. It would seem most likely just a minor nuisance for the time.

[IKV Nemesis D7L]

In the BIOS does it have an option to choose which video card to start with AGP/PCI?  You may have it defaulting to the non existant AGP card.   Also try resetting the video card.  It may (due to heating and cooling cycles) have come a little loose.  On the reboot it may have warmed enough to make full contact but not on the intial bootup.  

[Barabbas]

Quote:
In the BIOS does it have an option to choose which video card to start with AGP/PCI?  You may have it defaulting to the non existant AGP card.   Also try resetting the video card.  It may (due to heating and cooling cycles) have come a little loose.  On the reboot it may have warmed enough to make full contact but not on the intial bootup.  

This is where I'd look first, although if you do have an AGP card available, it would almost certainly be better to use that than a PCI card, even if the PCI card has more memory.

[Sirgod]

BTW, I switched the PCi Card with the one that you had sent me Barrabs, and It still does the same thing. I'm going to examine the Bios settings abit more, and See If that works. If not, I'll swipe my wifes monitor. I like It better anyway.

<what's that Dear, Oh nothing Denise Nothing at all, just chatting with the guys.  >

Stephen

[Javora]

Quote:
BTW, I switched the PCi Card with the one that you had sent me Barrabs, and It still does the same thing. I'm going to examine the Bios settings abit more, and See If that works. If not, I'll swipe my wifes monitor. I like It better anyway.

<what's that Dear, Oh nothing Denise Nothing at all, just chatting with the guys.  >

Stephen  

IMHO I would switch out the monitor first as I think that is the problem.  However if you think there is a COMS/BIOS error I would suggest unplugging the power cord from the power supply.  Hold the power button for about 7~10 seconds, then remove the battery and clear the CMOS jumper.  Then put the battery back and power up the system and see if the error remains.

However from what you described, this really sounds like a monitor going bad, and again I would look at that first.