My video signal just cuts off!!

[Demosthenes]

Argh, now talk about annoying. This seems to happen during a few games - Operation flashpoint in peticular, but not because of high stress or an action scene or anything. Anyways.. I'll just be playing and suddenly my video signal just cuts off. I'm 99% sure the computer doesn't crash.. my monitor just goes black and the light starts blinking green/orange (happens when it's not plugged into anything. I've tried unplugging it and plugging back in.. but I can't get it to regain the signal.

My system is a 1 gig Tbird on an MSI Pro 2-a and a Visiontek Geforce2 ultra. I've tried a million different driver/4in1 combos and nothing seems to effect it. If anyone could offer any help I'd greatly appreciate it!!

edit: oh yes, my monitor is a Samsung Syncmaster 900IFT if it matters.

 

[michec]

Hi there,

This happened to me a bit with my AIW Radeon. I know it's not the same card, but what I did to fix it might help. Go into your display properties (right click on desktop -> properties), click on settings tab, click the advanced button, choose the adapter tab, and select "adapter default" instead of "optimal". Then click "apply" and "OK".

What might be happening is that your video card is sending video data to your monitor at a frequency that the monitor can't handle. When the monitor can't handle the frequency, it blanks out.

If you're already using "adapter default", I don't know what to tell you. Maybe some other people will be able to suggest a solution.

 

[BadThad]

Does it do this with your old Radeon card plugged in?

Personally, I don't think it's the refresh rate. When the monitor light flashes yellow, that means NO SIGNAL at all. Could be the video card is bad or over heating. Check the GPU fan and make sure your case is adequately vented. I've found a "system blower" PCI fan works great with geforces. Since I NEVER use PCI1 (shares with AGP), I always install a blower there. It sits about 3-4 mm from the GPU sucking all the heat out to the back of the case.

BTW - Nice Rig! Are you on Team AnandTech?

 

[Demosthenes]

Thanks for the help guys, I'm gonna try ou tthe adapter default thing here in a moment. I don't think it's cooling - I just got an Antec 1030SX case or whatnot and have what seems like half a million fans running in there. Oh.. and I'm cracking away for TA, on/off but I'm trying to do my part😉

edit: Aaaaghh, the adapter thing seemed to lengthen the period of time I could go in-game.. but it still happened. This is killin me.

 

[Demosthenes]

So I just went out and bought one of those PCI blowers.... I was SURE this would fix it, but again, no dice. I'd really appreciate any other suggestions anyone might have!

 

[clarkmo]

I'd vote for your cable. It it gets loose you won't be able to regain signal until reboot.If you have another cable you can use try replacing it and see what happens

 

[fast_eddie]

Your problem could be related to a 'lost' signal from the AGP slot. Cleaning the AGP slot connections might be helpful {but maybe not a permanent cure} in tracking down the source of the problem.

Get a 'card edge' cleaning pen from an electronics supply house {RadioShack sells them}. First clean both sides of the video card contact surfaces at least twice. Then lay a heavy coating of the cleaning solution on one side of the card contacts and then quickly insert [and then remove] the card into the AGP slot repeatedly to work the cleaning solution into the AGP slot contacts. After cleaning the first side contacts, then do the same for the 2nd side contacts. When finished with the 'cleaning procedure' allow the slot and the card to air-dry for about 15 minutes, then reassemble the computer.

I have had a 'no-signal' problem ever since the warranty ran out on my SystemaxPC assemembled PII 350Mhz {Soyo 6BE+ mobo and SiS 6326 OEM vid card} whenever I turn the damn thing ON! (Systemax-support sent me a 'wire tie' retainer to hold the video card down; yeah that worked for maybe a week before the problem returned) Consequently I NEVER turn it off! {on purpose, at least} Whenever I need to pull it apart for an upgrade [or other maintenance] I have to go thru the aforementioned 'cleaning procedure' for the video signal to EVER get thru to the monitor. Recently the 'no signal' problem has surfaced even during 'surfing the net' every 3 or 4 months.

 

[Demosthenes]

thanks for the help guys, I'll give those ideas a try in the morning.

This slight problem has now gotten significantly worse - It's not only cutting off in games anymore, it's happening while I'm at the desktop doing nothing. Arghhhherr..