Monitor goes into power saver mode
posted by justmee on Apr 17, 2008
I have a Gateway 500x computer that just started turning off the monitor. When I turn the computer and start it I get the 1st gateway screen with the bios prompt but it has red and blue lines running top to bottom. The next screen that appears is the windows xp screen with the same lines then it goes black and the next screen should be the welcome screen and asks for your user account but mine just turns black and I get a monitor message that my monitor is going into power saver mode just like it lost signal. I can restart the computer in safe mode no problem. I downloaded an updated bios but when I try to install it I get a message that says "Severe,This program is unable to continue. Internal System error: There is a programming or internal problem." I also downloaded an updated video driver which didn't help. I ran PC Doctor on all the hardware and the only thing that failed was the video card memory. Will replacing my video card fix the problem? Gateway suggested that's where to start. I have a NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti4200 128-MB AGP Graphics Card, do I have to buy a card from Gateway or can I go to Bestbuy and purchase one? Any help is appreciated!
Comment by justmee, posted on Apr 17, 2008
I have tried removing the card and checking the contacts and reseating but still same problem. I'll bring an extra monitor home from work tomorrow and check it but I don't have the lines in safe mode so I didn't think that would be my problem. Thanks! I'll keep you posted.
Comment by justmee, posted on Apr 20, 2008
Thanks for the help. I tried a different monitor and still had the same problem. Yesterday I bought a new video card and larger power supply and everything seems to be working now.
Solution #1
posted on Apr 17, 2008
GuruTake your Agp card with you to the shop. You do not need to go through Gateway, but there are serveal formats of AGP regarding the voltages.
By the sounds of it you have the newer version of AGP so finding a replacement card won't be a problem. The only real issue you have is AGP cards cost a lot more then their PCI-e conterparts.
Going from a GeForce 4, look for something like an FX5700 or even a 6200. Don't let the sales guys get in your ear either. Putting any higher video card then these in your current system and your wasting your money.
By the sounds of it you have the newer version of AGP so finding a replacement card won't be a problem. The only real issue you have is AGP cards cost a lot more then their PCI-e conterparts.
Going from a GeForce 4, look for something like an FX5700 or even a 6200. Don't let the sales guys get in your ear either. Putting any higher video card then these in your current system and your wasting your money.
Comment by Mark_Webber, posted on Apr 17, 2008
Under safe mode your computer does not load the video drivers so the card is not being pushed at all. Under default no driver settings, it's barely out of first gear.
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Solution #2
posted on Apr 17, 2008
Hi justmee
This actually sounds like a monitor that is going south. However, it could also be the video adapter.
The quickest way to determine which is the culprit is to connect a different monitor to the computer - preferably one using the same video adapter (if you have more than one on the computer.)
If the issues w/ the lines persist w/ a **known good** monitor on the same video connection, then we're not looking at a monitor problem, rather (likely) a video adapter issue.
In that even, the 1st thing to do is to "reseat" the video adapter card. By "reseat" I mean unplug and plug back in. Sometimes the contacts can become corroded or the card wiggled out of place a bit.
(A) Make sure that BEFORE you do this, you remove power from the computer.
(B) BEFORE touching the video adapter, touch the flat of you palm against the back of the computer (an all metal surface area that is an integral part of the case). Do this for a few seconds. This will bring your body's electrical "potential" to the same level as the case. (This is to protect the computer from ESD (electro static discharge) from your body to its sensitive electronic components)
(C) Now, remove the video adapter by touching only the outer edges of the board and NONE of the electronic components or circuitry.
(D) Now, plug the board back in using the same precautions.
(E) Re-connect the video cable from the monitor.
(F) Restore power to the computer and fire it up. See if you still have a problem. (I suspect you will - still it doesn't hurt to try.)
(G) If the problem is still there, replace the video adapter.
When you see anomalies on the screen like you're describing, we're usually looking at a hardware issue rather than a software (drivers) or firmware (BIOS) issue.
In any event, the hardware is where to begin. In this case, we need to know if the problem stops at the monitor or if we need to look in the video adapter direction.
Please, post back here w/ the results of your tests and your observations and questions, etc. We'll work on this w/ you until the issue is resolved or diagnosed.
Thank you
BJ @:)
This actually sounds like a monitor that is going south. However, it could also be the video adapter.
The quickest way to determine which is the culprit is to connect a different monitor to the computer - preferably one using the same video adapter (if you have more than one on the computer.)
If the issues w/ the lines persist w/ a **known good** monitor on the same video connection, then we're not looking at a monitor problem, rather (likely) a video adapter issue.
In that even, the 1st thing to do is to "reseat" the video adapter card. By "reseat" I mean unplug and plug back in. Sometimes the contacts can become corroded or the card wiggled out of place a bit.
(A) Make sure that BEFORE you do this, you remove power from the computer.
(B) BEFORE touching the video adapter, touch the flat of you palm against the back of the computer (an all metal surface area that is an integral part of the case). Do this for a few seconds. This will bring your body's electrical "potential" to the same level as the case. (This is to protect the computer from ESD (electro static discharge) from your body to its sensitive electronic components)
(C) Now, remove the video adapter by touching only the outer edges of the board and NONE of the electronic components or circuitry.
(D) Now, plug the board back in using the same precautions.
(E) Re-connect the video cable from the monitor.
(F) Restore power to the computer and fire it up. See if you still have a problem. (I suspect you will - still it doesn't hurt to try.)
(G) If the problem is still there, replace the video adapter.
When you see anomalies on the screen like you're describing, we're usually looking at a hardware issue rather than a software (drivers) or firmware (BIOS) issue.
In any event, the hardware is where to begin. In this case, we need to know if the problem stops at the monitor or if we need to look in the video adapter direction.
Please, post back here w/ the results of your tests and your observations and questions, etc. We'll work on this w/ you until the issue is resolved or diagnosed.
Thank you
BJ @:)
Comment by Pterocarpous, posted on Apr 17, 2008
That's a good observation re: no lines in safe mode. However, when you said you got the lines at the BIOS "prompt", I took that to mean it was during POST (power on self test) at which point, as Mark said, the video adapter hasn't even really kicked in yet at that stage. That's why I was thinking you should check the monitor 1st.
However, if it's during the Gateway splash screen that you're getting the lines, then that might change things changes things a bit. It could well be the video adapter.
If you've reseated the card and it worked fine b4, then, if the issue isn't the monitor, we're definitely down to replacing the video adapter.
Please, let us know how it goes w/ the video monitor, etc. and, of course, if you have more questions or observations, etc.
However, if it's during the Gateway splash screen that you're getting the lines, then that might change things changes things a bit. It could well be the video adapter.
If you've reseated the card and it worked fine b4, then, if the issue isn't the monitor, we're definitely down to replacing the video adapter.
Please, let us know how it goes w/ the video monitor, etc. and, of course, if you have more questions or observations, etc.
Comment by Pterocarpous, posted on Apr 20, 2008
That's great, justmee. I'm glad you got it sorted out.
Thank you for coming to FixYa!
BJ @:)
Thank you for coming to FixYa!
BJ @:)
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