Monitor goes dark then returns, mouse cursor freezes afterwards

[videobruce]

This isn't going to be easy to describe, but here goes;

I believe it is a thermal problem with the video card, but I'm not sure. After the box has been on for 30-60 minutes (or so) the monitor goes dark for a second then returns. This happens a few times and if it really gets bad (more frequent) the dark periods get longer that the monitor goes into standby mode then returns with the mouse cursor frozen that I have to reboot to get it back.

I know it's not the monitor, it's the video card not sending a signal to it and somehow also locking up the mouse (keyboard is ok).

This happened after installing S/W for a HP S20 photo scanner, BUT I don't think that is the problem because on my other bootable drive (in the same box) the problem is there but not as bad. It might be making it worse, but I don't think it is that easy. I'm also not sure it is the card itself, though it is the card that is not sending the video signal to the monitor.

Before I swap cards, anyone have any ideas? Here is the system:

Win 2k w/sp3
Epox 8RDA nForce 2 MB (latest bios and nForce 2 UDP)
AMD 2100b
2x256MB Corsair PC2700
Saphire ATI Radeon 9100 (latest ATI driver)
HP S20 scanner
Kodak DVC 325 camnera
Creative PC-Cam 600
SB Live value
Antec 330W Tru Power PSU

Device Manager ok
No viruses

I have pulled and reseated the video card, memory, processor (added a little more compond).
I have not overclocked anything.
No overheating apparent on processor or video card.

As I write this the system has been on for over 2 hours without a single incident (so far).

 

[filmmaker]

See if you can get a hold of another video card. Your APG slot may be bad or it could just be the card itself. That's the best way to test something like that.

 

[videobruce]

I have another card I can use but don't want to if that isn't the problem.

 

[videobruce]

 

[videobruce]

Update........

I swapped the video card and removed the scanner software including deleting enum registry entries that were left behind and the problem is still there.

Now.......is it the processor, MB, PSU or coruption left over from the software install of the HP scanner??

 

[dequinix]

Same exact problem as of last week!

I'm about to buy a new video card to replace my GF2... I was thinking that may be the issue, but you believe otherwise?

 

[videobruce]

It's not the card!
I think it's the processor!

 

[dequinix]

Oh crap.

 

[skeeter225]

I know you will think I am crazy, but try removeing or trying a new mouse. Just saw somthing real similar on a friends machine. and the problem was solved by using a different mouse.

 

[timmyG]

Originally posted by: dequinix
Oh crap.

lol

 

[videobruce]

Oh crap.........you mean the mouse crapped on my desktop??????


OK i'll try it..........kind of a long shot, but what does that have to do with the monitor/video card???



Euck........mouse turds all over the place................

 

[videobruce]

Originally posted by: skeeter225
I know you will think I am crazy, but try removeing or trying a new mouse. Just saw somthing real similar on a friends machine. and the problem was solved by using a different mouse.

Crazy, no, good idea.......close!

How about a KVM switch thrown into the mix???
How about a bad connection into/out of the switch?

That's what it looks like as of now. I wiggled (nothing was loose or not shoved in all the way) the plugs on the switch after I noticed the LED on the switch flickering when I lost the video to the monitor. (There is nothing connected to the other port other than the cable for another box as a conveinence feature.)

Really sucks since I thought it was the processor so I ordered a 1.7 XP for $49 from Newegg with the optional 1 yr warrenty (30 days standard). Guess I have a spare now................