After an extended hiatus in using my PC (a1654n), when I tried using it again today, the monitor keeps entering sleep mode (so I can't even see my desktop). The screen functions properly as I've tested it on my other PC. I thought the problem may be with my connection cable, but that cable worked fine with the screen on my other PC. Occasionally, peripherals won't even power on. When I, by chance, finally got the monitor working (once) after i restarted my PC, the PC couldn't complete the restart - it was stuck in limbo between shutting down and booting up My video card is a BFG Nvidia GeForce 8600 GTS
Have you checked the settings? Right click on mouse anywhere on main screen > Click on "Properties" > Click on "Screen Saver" tab > Click on "Screen Saver" Scroll down the drop down menu and select NONE > Click on "Apply" button > Click on "Power" button in Power Option section > Click on "Turn off Monitor" Scroll menu and set to "Never" Click on "Apply" button. You should also check the Device manager and look for any "yellow exclamation marks" too as this is signs of Driver issues... Make sure all drivers are upto date and correct by visiting the manufacturer website and or vendor. See if that helps ;-)
I can't do that because the very moment I turn on my PC, the monitor enters sleep mode - moving the mouse, tapping the keyboard does nothing
Try a different monitor and or swap the cables over too see if this make a difference Also, you could try resetting the CMOS too. Are you sure it goes into sleepmode because this could be the fact the PSU is failing... just maybe, so try out the monitor on another PC and try another monitor on the said PC in question. If problem persists then I would look in to trying a different PSU.
yeah the monitor works on my other PC. And my spare monitor doesn't detect a signal when I plug it into my a1654n So the problem is my PSU, because I just bought it 6 months ago; what could've caused it to malfunction?
First off, I don't recommend you go straight out to purchase a PSU try and find a spare one to try out first, just to be sure!! Power supply Units can become overstressed if the computer demands more power than the supply is able to put out, which can result in power supply failure. Now you say you just bought it 6 months ago? Well if you are meaning your computer then I recommend you take it back to where you purchased it and get it fixed or replaced.
No I meant the PSU was bought 6 months ago (a 400W Cosair); the a1654n is an ancient HP model I got from 2004
Did you try Resetting the CMOS battery in the motherboard?? or even have it replaced! The only other thing I can think of is it being your graphics card being the issue here.. is this an upgraded card you have installed? Does this computer have an Integrated Graphics card? Also have a good inspection of the motherboard for damaged or burned out Capacitors - see here on how to You might be as well to strip out all the cables and wires from the Hard Drive then put it all back in place and also remove the graphics cards and try a different Graphics Card if you have one kicking about. Have you made any changes like hardware or even driver updates or anything you can think of?
Bugsy has some good ideas, well worth doing what he says . . . .but I'm still puzzled by the switch-on failure. If a PSU is "failed" it should not switch on - if it's overloaded it will shut down and you get no operation - yet this old PC was working until recently...? So if nothing has changed (including the weather), then the chances of it being marginall more-stressed now are remote, IMHO. Have you tried SAFE Mode? This powers the PC with the essential drivers only. That might enable you to fix the monitor settings Bugsy suggests. Is it really worth spending more time on this old PC =- make sure the data is safe, by removing the HDD and copying files over (etc.). Finally, is it possible this is a virus-induced fault? The virus takes over the screen and effectivly your PC is dead.... you'll need to get that HDD scanned.
