Computer question/problem...?

[HammerDown]

This happened twice so far. Turn on the computer, and let it run for a few moments...(but) before I can click to dial-in the monitor goes black, doesn't respond to anything (mouse movements etc). Even when I try to turn off the computer w/the power button on the tower (nothing). I
have to turn off the power strip, then I can re-boot and it appears ok.
Any ideas...before it gets worse?
PS. 3 year old Dell Dimension 8200

[bigd1]

Memory going bad causes this a lot.
Take the computer to the garage, open it up & put the air hose to the inside of it to clean out all the dust. Then pop the memory loose (it just clips in) and re-seat it. This will fix it a lot of times.
A bad video card can cause this too.

[C-2]

PS. 3 year old Dell Dimension 8200
They're kinda like Chevy's - when they reach this age, stuff just stops working. Nobody can explain it - jus happens.

[HammerDown]

Memory going bad causes this a lot.
Take the computer to the garage, open it up & put the air hose to the inside of it to clean out all the dust. Then pop the memory loose (it just clips in) and re-seat it. This will fix it a lot of times.
A bad video card can cause this too.
Great idea as I can see dust build up on the cooling fan...I was thinking about blowing the dust out of the inside, didn't know this would help (thanks)!

[topless]

They're kinda like Chevy's - when they reach this age, stuff just stops working. Nobody can explain it - jus happens.Yes, I know this well. :cry:

[Dr. Eagle]

Answer=
Your Computer is
DOOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!!!!!!!!!

[BrendellaJet]

does it beep when you attempt startup? Check online for your computers beep codes, they will help you diagnose the problem. sounds like it could be a video card failure??

[HammerDown]

Dr.Eagle...NOT FUNNY!
No beeps...I just opened it up, no real dust to speek of but I put some compressed air to it anyway.
"pop the memory loose and or a bad video card"...first time I opened one of these things, like I know what I'm looking at.
Heck it's my 1'st computer :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Panic Button]

Flat screen or Regular monitior? If it's a regular, it sounds like the fly back transformer, basically monitor is toast. New ones are cheaper tobuy than fix.

[sorry dog]

If you don't have a extra monitor to check with, take to friends house to try another monitor.
BTW - when you try to turn off, a hard shutoff requires you to hold the button for several seconds for many computers.
...also I don't particularly like the monitor power cut function that windows comes with enabled. First thing I do is cut that shit off. Older monitors or video cards don't like it.

[bigq]

Motherboard or CPU, but tuff to say without actual diags.
Don't you just love all the different answers :D

[Essexive G's]

Shut it down and bring it back up in safe mode. If the monitor still goes out to lunch it's the monitor, or video card/MB,( I say MB only if you plug your monitor into the MB). If the monitor stays on insafe mode, you need to think about when the problem started, and if you made some changes to the pc ( like adding new or different hardware, or new software). Does the operating system load to the desktop before the monitor takes a hike? If not you could have a resource conflict that would keep the video drivers from loading.
Good luck with it!

[C-2]

A quick fix...
Office Depot. Emachine tower for $236, no rebate crap or strings attached.
60g hard drive
256 RAM
DVD/RW combo
2.8 ghz Intel celeron
Yeah, I know, Celeron...but $236. Ebay here I come!!!!!

[HammerDown]

BTW - when you try to turn off, a hard shutoff requires you to hold the button for several seconds for many computers.
This I know...but did nothing, still had to pull the plug.
So far it seems ok, time will tell.

[Bense468]

Hammer. Try another monitor. Sounds like Motherboard or CPU went bad.
If all else fails a 12 guage will do the trick.
The way todays prices are, you are better off probably purchasing a new PC then trying to fix it. I wouldn't buy the e-machines above, because I would spend more money then that and get a better system.

[HammerDown]

Hammer.
The way todays prices are, you are better off probably purchasing a new PC then trying to fix it. I wouldn't buy the e-machines above, because I would spend more money then that and get a better system.
I know the grand or so spent on this Dell some 3 years ago may not seem like much to some of the computer people here...but...am I to really just toss it aside and buy something else... How can it not be worth fixing?
Thanks for the feedback...Ray

[HammerDown]

Don't you just love all the different answers :D
Answering...as I bang my head against the wall...no! :D

[scarabrick2]

run a virus scan nortans 2005.
Mine did it and the virus 32 something made the comp act like that.
Do a full back up before you do anything else. Take your back up to a comp store and have it checked for a virus
.

[Tom Brown]

This I know...but did nothing, still had to pull the plug.
So far it seems ok, time will tell.
Make sure your CPU fan is operating. It could be dead. Check all your fans to make sure they rotate when on but it's the CPU fan that's suspect.
The next most likely suspect, IMO, is the power supply. There is an ATX to Dell adapter available at NewEgg so you don't need to pay the big money for a new Dell supply.

[C-2]

Hammer. Try another monitor. Sounds like Motherboard or CPU went bad.
If all else fails a 12 guage will do the trick.
The way todays prices are, you are better off probably purchasing a new PC then trying to fix it. I wouldn't buy the e-machines above, because I would spend more money then that and get a better system.
Kinda takes the value out of $236 doesn't it?
I too have had my computer for the past three years and the $236 computer is faster. I think for another $99 you get 500mb ram, a faster processor, 80g hard drive and DVD burner, wi-fi ready, Windows XP home. You would still be $600 ahead of where you were 3 YEARS AGO. That's a bargain.
Still a smoking deal, but I'm waiting for the $599 laptop.
AND BTW, stop messing with your computer if you're thinking about new one. Otherwise, you might screw it up even more and you might not be able to recover stuff - at least now you still have that option.
I swear FM put the jinx on you!

[FMluvswater]

Kinda takes the value out of $236 doesn't it?
I too have had my computer for the past three years and the $236 computer is faster. I think for another $99 you get 500mb ram, a faster processor, 80g hard drive and DVD burner, wi-fi ready, Windows XP home. You would still be $600 ahead of where you were 3 YEARS AGO. That's a bargain.
Still a smoking deal, but I'm waiting for the $599 laptop.
AND BTW, stop messing with your computer if you're thinking about new one. Otherwise, you might screw it up even more and you might not be able to recover stuff - at least now you still have that option.
I swear FM put the jinx on you!
Hey! That not nice! Perhaps some truth to it but still not nice! :p :D
HammerDown I'd never intentionally jinx you. :redface: You know that right?

[HammerDown]

HammerDown I'd never intentionally jinx you. :redface: You know that right?
:idea: ya know FM...back when I purchased those damn "Peach scented wet- naps"...I thought I herd your voice in my head.
PS.thanks for the suggestions/replys, computer seems to be working fine...for now.

[hotlavey]

Kinda takes the value out of $236 doesn't it?
I too have had my computer for the past three years and the $236 computer is faster. I think for another $99 you get 500mb ram, a faster processor, 80g hard drive and DVD burner, wi-fi ready, Windows XP home. You would still be $600 ahead of where you were 3 YEARS AGO. That's a bargain.
Still a smoking deal, but I'm waiting for the $599 laptop.
AND BTW, stop messing with your computer if you're thinking about new one. Otherwise, you might screw it up even more and you might not be able to recover stuff - at least now you still have that option.
I swear FM put the jinx on you!
Call Justin at 714-3450666. A boat guy and computer wiz.

[FMluvswater]

:idea: ya know FM...back when I purchased those damn "Peach scented wet- naps"...I thought I herd your voice in my head.
PS.thanks for the suggestions/replys, computer seems to be working fine...for now.
No. It wasn't in your head. Guy I hired installed the audio backwards on the surveillance equipment - I really was encouraging you. :wink: It's fixed now. :D
Your http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/FMluvswaterbabe/HDforever.gif forever :D ,
PS So scary girl yet? How 'bout now? :devil: Yeah? :idea: