Computer will boot and then the screen goes blank.

[thereds]

All the fans are spinning including the CPU fan but I have to physically switch off the computer using the switch at the back. I can't restart the computer and can only do so after 5 - 10 mins, which leads me to believe it's a heat issue? Is it? (While I can restart it after 10 mins, the screen still goes blank.)

I took the computer out yesterday and used a can of compressed air to remove some dust. Hooked it back up and then it started with the problem mentioned above. Took the computer out and noticed that the heatsink was a tad loose. Removed the heatsink, cleaned out the thermal paste from the heatsink and the CPU, added new paste and hooked it back up. Still no luck.

What could it possibly be?

 

[Muse]

Windows?

When does the screen go blank? At a specific time in the boot process, after the OS completes loading? If so, how long after? IOW, is the screen blanking not synchronized with what's going on with the loading software?

 

[thereds]

It does not happen at any specific time. I'm fairly certain it is a heat related issue as I just started it up and it worked fine for about an hour and then it went blank. Won't start up again unless I let it sit for a bit.

Not sure what to do since I just reinstalled the heatsink.

 

[piasabird]

Try safe mode with video support. I have seen cases where the video is set to some settings where everything appears black. This may be caused by damaged video settings. Video cards can also heat up.

 

[mfenn]

So the computer works normally for a certain period of time (you can get into Windows and everything), but then the screen goes blank. And you have to remove power to restart it.

It does sound like a heat issue to me, though the PSU could also be suspect. What happens if you leave the side of the case off?

Also, does your motherboard have integrated graphics? If it does, you could try removing the GPU and seeing what happens.

 

[DooKey]

Is the cpu or gpu overclocked at all? Give us some computer specs please. PSU/MB/CPU/GPU etc.

 

[Smoove910]

Try running without your GPU and plug into onboard video. If it's a PowerSupply issue, I would think it would stay on longer without the GPU in the loop. It could be a POS powersupply which can't support the demands, thus overheating and not turning back on until it has cooled down.

Just a thought...

 

[Steltek]

Also, you say you blew out the dust. Did you pull the video card and check to see if the fans are choked out with dust inside the shroud of the card?

 

[Ketchup]

As mfenn mentioned, leave the side panel off the next time you start it up and making sure all the fans are working. Also recommend, if you can get into the BIOS, go leave it on the temp screen for a few minutes and monitor.

 

[thereds]

So the computer works normally for a certain period of time (you can get into Windows and everything), but then the screen goes blank. And you have to remove power to restart it.

It does sound like a heat issue to me, though the PSU could also be suspect. What happens if you leave the side of the case off?

Also, does your motherboard have integrated graphics? If it does, you could try removing the GPU and seeing what happens.

Correct. The computer works normally for a certain period of time and I can get into Windows, but then the screen goes blank. I have to remove power but can only restart it fully after about 10-15mins (I'm assuming it has to cool down).

The top of the case is always off, so no luck there.

MB does have integrated graphics, and I did remove the video card and used the computer with just integrated graphics. The computer was working fine. I then cleaned out the video card and installed it back. The computer continued working fine up to about an hour when it all went black. I'm going to remove the card today and see how the long the computer runs without the video card.

 

[thereds]

Is the cpu or gpu overclocked at all? Give us some computer specs please. PSU/MB/CPU/GPU etc.

Neither the CPU nor the CPU are overclocked.

Specs are:
Win 7 64bit
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H
EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+
The PSU is the stock one that came with the Antec Fusion Black Media Center Computer case (rated at 430W)

 

[thereds]

Try running without your GPU and plug into onboard video. If it's a PowerSupply issue, I would think it would stay on longer without the GPU in the loop. It could be a POS powersupply which can't support the demands, thus overheating and not turning back on until it has cooled down.

Just a thought...

Thanks. However, the PSU has been running for over 3 years now, so in terms of coping abililty, I think it's sufficient. I am not sure though if it's dying on me.

 

[thereds]

As mfenn mentioned, leave the side panel off the next time you start it up and making sure all the fans are working. Also recommend, if you can get into the BIOS, go leave it on the temp screen for a few minutes and monitor.

I will do this today and report back with the results. Thanks.

 

[Smoove910]

Thanks. However, the PSU has been running for over 3 years now, so in terms of coping abililty, I think it's sufficient. I am not sure though if it's dying on me.

So you removed the videocard and it worked fine running off the onboard video, yet you put videocard back in and the problems happen again.

And then you are sure the Powersupply is sufficient? Why do you think it's sufficient when you put a load on it and it causes a black screen. Sounds painfully obvious to me...

I would almost be willing to bet my left nut that your PS is on it's last legs. If I'm wrong, well, I didn't need that nut anyways.

 

[thereds]

So you removed the videocard and it worked fine running off the onboard video, yet you put videocard back in and the problems happen again.

And then you are sure the Powersupply is sufficient? Why do you think it's sufficient when you put a load on it and it causes a black screen. Sounds painfully obvious to me...

I would almost be willing to bet my left nut that your PS is on it's last legs. If I'm wrong, well, I didn't need that nut anyways.

What I meant was that I don't know if the computer would have gone blank anyway running on the onboard video. I should have let the computer run for a bit without the vid card in to make sure that it wasn't the card causing the problems. I'm going to run the computer later today with just the onboard vid and see if the problem happens.

 

[thereds]

Well guys I think I found the problem. One of the points in the ATX 12v pin is all burnt out. The contact point for that on the MB is burnt too.

What could have caused this? Anyway, looks like this is as good an excuse as any to get some new parts.

 

[Ketchup]

Some type of power surge. Could be a bad PSU. What model is it?

 

[thereds]

Some type of power surge. Could be a bad PSU. What model is it?

It's an Antec branded one I believe that came with the Antec Veris Fusion Black case.

 

[mfenn]

The ATX12V is 2 +12V and 2 ground, so one busted pin shouldn't take the board out of commission. That being said, it probably doesn't bode well for the output of the PSU. I'd probably get a new PSU like this XFX Core 550W first and see if it solves the problem.

Best case, it works fine for a while longer.
Worst case, you would have had to get a new mobo/CPU/RAM anyway.