Computer Problem: Video Signal Lost

[kurchatovium]

Recently one of my art computers keeps losing its video signal (mainly now when I try to start an application) and then I have to unplug it to try to reboot. I have changed the monitor but problem still persists. I have updated the video drivers for the NVIDIA Geforce card still have the same problem. I have run a memory test on the 512 mb of ram using a bootable diskette and that seems to be fine. I have run a free diagnostic called tufftest and it says video card, motherboard, hard drive, and ram is ok. I suspect perhaps the power supply since the computer is like 4 years old or perhaps some other windows file is corrupted. Not really sure at this point. Thanks to all who post here.

 

[TKpervert]

Hardware. A tarnished or bent pin in the video cable connecting the computer to the monitor.

Replace the cable.
.
.
.

 

[kurchatovium]

I replaced the cable when I tried the new monitor TK. Could it be both computer cables are bad?

 

[Ronley]

A dead pin or two will make the monitor do some strange things; change colors, etc. But it won't usually cut the video feed altogether. Diagnostic programs aren't always right, but they usually are, and given the fact that it's cutting out when you start an application I'd suspect windows.

As for the NVIDIA drivers, sometimes if you install them the normal way they don't quite go through right. I think they recommend uninstalling the last drivers you had, rebooting, installing the new drivers and re-booting again.

Other then that, all I can think of is a system restore or a re-installation of windows. You can re-install windows without reformatting the drive, but it does warn you it might wipe out anything you have in my documents, and you should back up before trying anything that serious anyway.

Good luck.