XP glitching

[TamiyaCowboy]

well guys its now taken 5 re-boots too get system too load up windows XP

after i truned on windows will load up then both monitors swtich too power saving. but system remains running. or system will boot from post into XP then freeze, at first i thought it was my mouse but after a hard shutdown (wall plug) i was given choice to restart because windows encountereda problem. i dont know how too start up in safe mode so just choose "start windows normaly". the last thing i done last night was installl new cable tidy and had a good few games of cs:s with marquis (sp). it cant be my psu i dont think as i am not using all the plugs and power molexes.

has anyone else had this sort ofproblem where your monitor/monitors will just switch of into powersaving mode ? also is there a sutch thing as a monitor extension cable.

[lbreevesii]

boot into safe mode and see what you can come up with from there. Might try switching it back into single monitor mode and turning off all power saving. Simplifies troubleshooting. If that dosen't work i would try rolling back the drivers or updating them.

[Squelch]

Does it immediatley send your monitors to standby? Does Bios screen show?

If so check you haven't dislodged anything while intalling your cable tidies. When faced with similar problems I reduce the connected components to the bare minimum and add bit's once monitor activity has returned.

[Greeny]

Press F8 quickly just after the machine posts and just at the instant the hard drive starts loading to get the windows bootmenu. Safemode is selectable from their.

Sine you did some work on the machine, best to double check all the wiring and cabling connectins as well I would think.

I'd do a full stability testing session with memtest86, Prime95 and a test of the hard disk with the manufacturers diagnostic tool after you try the safemode driver angle.

Double check the rail voltages of the PSU with your multimeter as well to be on the safe side though since it's new it's hardly likely to be faulty. I suppose their could be a remote possibility the previous PSU may have fritzed something though.

[TamiyaCowboy]

had a quick fiddle with the graphics card and pushed it into slot more. as its the first thing monitors connect too i thought i could be the problem. turned out it was. because my monitors only have short leads one is pulling on the Gfx card causing it too work loose :o). think i need to find a monitor extension lead too take presure of the apg slot.

[Greeny]

Least it was something simple. ;)

[Squelch]

Good idea TC. Many GPU's/mobo's have been cooked by shorting out after coming dislodged.

Good to hear it's sorted.

[TamiyaCowboy]

thanks guys

yes bit like a car this computer malarky is best too do a daily check. am lucky the apg slot has a end clip too hold board seated in but its a litle loose from the cable pulling on the card. cant swap my monitors as i like using crt . do you guys know of any monitor/gpu extension cables ?

[Greeny]

Best to replace wholel cable if possible, usually they unscrew from the monitor, buy a longer one. If going 3M or more I'd buy a decent one.

[Squelch]

^^++

I recently bought a nice Belkin extension from Ebuyer. Don't buy cheap you'll regret it.