System crash

[wheezergeezer]

Hi, can anyone help, I have an intermitant problem, the pc is running XP with service pack 2, the system throws up a window which says, no signal going to sleep? the monitor then goes blank, the pc is still running, internet connection goes off ? unable to get any responce via rodent or keyboard, unable to reset/reboot, have to swich off via mains and then restart system

have checked all settings,and connections, no power save or sleep settings selected, run antivirus several times, and reinstalled XP, but still experiencing the same problem??

all suggestions welcome, thank you in advance..........

[Sylvander]

Seems like there's no signal getting to the monitor.
The most obvious reason could be that the monitor signal cable has come out of the video card socket.
When all's well [and Windows is running] try pulling the signal cable out of the video card socket [I've done this MANY times] and see if you get the exact same effect. Then plug the cable back in [with the system still powered up and Windows running].
Alternatively, the signal cable may be faulty or have a poor plug or connection.

Or perhaps the video card isn't giving out any signal.

Is there a possibility that the PC is still functioning unseen [with no display]?
If you do "Ctrl+Alt+Del" twice is there any sign that the PC is restarting?
It helps if you allocate sounds to the "Start Program" [I use a bloop] & "Close Program" [I use a whoosh] events, then you will hear if any programs are opening or closing unseen.
This is particularly noticeable at startup [I hear multiple bloops] & shutdown [I hear multiple whooshes].

Sylvander’s Diagnostic Flowcharts
Download a copy of my diagnostic flowcharts from here
www.erniek.eclipse.co.uk/downloads/sylvanderdiags.zip
and print them to leaf through.
Begin on the STARTUP chart.

[wheezergeezer]

Thanks Sylvander, the flow chart is great, the pc is my brothers and he's dropping it off today so I can take a detailed look ,
Regards, john

[pangea33]

Is your system configured to allow hibernation? Perhaps that's what you meant when you mentioned "sleep settings," but I interpreted your post as referring specifically to settings in the "Display Properties."

You can check for hibernation by going to: Start Menu - Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate Tab

On my machine, all the monitor/display specific power-saving options shut off when moving the keyboard or mouse. The hibernation settings do not, however. My monitor shows the "no signal" test screen, and I can't restore signal without restarting. I am pretty sure this is related to the type of power settings selected in the bios. The bios also can be configured so that usb, mouse, and keyboard will not wake the system no matter what. I believe that these sleep settings will override anything that is selected in the OS.

[wheezergeezer]

Update, thanks for your replys, Ive checked the pc over and I think I found the problem, it was simply a lose connection, the lead that fits onto the video card was not sitting tight, all seems well, the pc has been running for 24 hours , so I'm keeping my fingers crossed ?