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Thread ID: 94653 2008-11-06 19:36:00 Hdd, monitor or SATA cable prob? Speedy Gonzales (78) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
718192 2008-11-07 22:54:00 NO dont install Linux - run it from the LIVE CD - that way it bypasses all the windows Software and runs on the Hardware - if it boots up OK on a Live CD (today) and tomorrow it doesn't in the morning then its a hardware problem.

When you boot from the CD it usually gives the option to run from the CD or install - select run from CD.
wainuitech (129)
718193 2008-11-07 23:09:00 Ok, its probably Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer (this is 8.10)

Since, the only other options when you boot from the cd are (this is booting from cd, not selecting from within Windows)

Install Ubuntu
Check CD for defects
Test memory
Boot from first hard drive

Just tried Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer on here just a sec ago. Worked fine.

Booted into Ubuntu
Speedy Gonzales (78)
718194 2008-11-07 23:31:00 Just tried Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer on here just a sec ago. Worked fine.

Booted into Ubuntu :thumbs: Perfect - Now tonight just before you turn off the PC, put the CD in the drive, shut it down - Tomorrow when it boots the first time see if it will let you boot into Ubuntu from the CD - If it does and the Monitor stays on - Its more then likely windows software causing the problem - IF the monitor turns off like it has been then its hardware.

You want to do this from a cold start (since its the only time it will play silly buggers) - thats why you leave the CD in the drive overnight.
wainuitech (129)
718195 2008-11-07 23:33:00 Cool, will do that tonight.

Will let you know what happens (If I can get on here tomorrow lol)

Cheers :banana

I wonder if its this AMD processor driver (since last time, Gears of war needed it, for it to be stable). This game jerks / lags without this driver.

BUT it worked AFTER I had installed this previously

Or the dual core optimiser install ? That would have been one of the last programs I installed before and now. After I reinstalled.

It sounds like something pretty small (but annoying). Since the post screen appears. Its from the splash screen onwards, I see nothing

Even tho, the LED on the LCD stays on
Speedy Gonzales (78)
718196 2008-11-07 23:55:00 Thats why booting from the Linux CD will tell - Personally I'm not a big fan of linux ( that will cause a few "bites from some) :D BUT the Live CD's work well.

If it boots up tomorrow OK from the CD, then since that is not loading any windows software, only the linux drivers on the CD then generally speaking you can assume the hardware is OK - and then the problem software can be tracked down. BUT if it doesn't load - Hardware problem.

No point in looking for a problem in software if one doesn't exist.
wainuitech (129)
718197 2008-11-08 02:20:00 I take it the problem is occurring after POST but before windows begins to start up, in which case try swapping your RAM around in the slots or running with one stick then the other (if you use more than one).

You say that the problem only occurs in the morning (which presumably means it would also occur after a long period of being shut off?), anyway, doing a memory test, or any burn in type stress test (CPU, HDD, etc) is not likely to detect a cold fault because by their very nature they stress the components and warm em up, and running the tests from windows is likely to magnify that. So, Wainui's suggestion of using a Live CD diagnostic is probably your best bet - Take Your Pick. (www.frozentech.com)
Murray P (44)
718198 2008-11-08 02:43:00 Yup it usually shows the post screen, but nothing else.

Even tho the pc is running and doing its thing. And the LED on the monitor is on

I cant see anything, until maybe 4-5 reboots (but IF I turn the monitor off then on), the desktop is there

But doesnt stay there. The screen goes off again

I've got a live cd (Ubuntu) now, which I tested earlier.

Just have to see if it'll do the same thing tomorrow morning

And yup it usually happens in the mornings. Once it goes, it stays on, all day and night, even if I reboot

Till the next day

If Ubuntu doesnt boot, I'll remove one stick (I've got 2 sticks of DDR2 2 GB).

Then see what happens. Then swap them if it doesnt boot into Windows
Speedy Gonzales (78)
718199 2008-11-08 03:05:00 Speedy, that really does sound (look) more like a monitor hardware fault, perhaps graphics, but more likely cable/connection or the monitor thingy itself. Murray P (44)
718200 2008-11-08 03:14:00 Thats what I thought at first, but then after it didnt show the desktop on the PC here.

(The DVI cable isnt part of the monitor, it can be removed)

I tried it on the other PC (in the bedroom), using the same DVI cable and this LCD.

And it was fine. I also tested the VGA (this LCD has 2 VGA and 1 DVI connection, with a VGA cable I didnt know I had), on the other PC.

It was also fine.

So, I've tested the hdd it was fine, the monitor worked fine on the other PC (with DVI and VGA). The VGA connection on this PC also worked fine on the other LCD here (which has only got VGA, not DVI).

As in the previous post, the modem, HDMI card, and the tuner (I would say these are fine). Since these were removed, when I pulled the mobo out.

And the only thing that was plugged in then, were the ATX 12v adapter, and the 24 pin PSU supply. This LCD still wouldnt stay on. With nothing on it
Speedy Gonzales (78)
718201 2008-11-08 03:52:00 Odd. I know this is before the operating system loads, so I'm not sure why I'm asking this but, did both PCs have the same operating system?

Is the monitor plugged into it's own power outlet, i.e. not via the PSU? If so, is that power outlet ok?
Murray P (44)
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