It has been ages since I've done anything with a PC. An older friend called to say her monitor runs for a few minutes and then goes black. She can turn it off and then back on and it runs again for a few minutes and then goes black. She wants me to check it.
There is my dilemma, what do I check besides cables and maybe open the computer to see if the graphic card is set correctly? Or do I even need to crack the case open to check the card? Or being thorough, it should be done? AAARRUUUGGHHH..... Anyway, trouble shooting and suggestions needed!
Thanks!
What should I check?
-
- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1284
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 12:14
- Location: Sitting in my computer chair!
What should I check?
Skitterbug
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
-
- Panoramic Lounger
- Posts: 8176
- Joined: 25 Jan 2010, 09:09
- Location: retirement
Re: What should I check?
Umm... it's not as simple as a black screen saver kicking in, is it? As in, it goes black even though there is movement on the screen / while she's using it?
Otherwise a bad cable and /or connection between the box and the monitor?
Also, look in the monitor's on-screen menu. There might be something in that menu structure about power saving that might explain why it's turning off.
Ken
Otherwise a bad cable and /or connection between the box and the monitor?
Also, look in the monitor's on-screen menu. There might be something in that menu structure about power saving that might explain why it's turning off.
Ken
-
- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1284
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 12:14
- Location: Sitting in my computer chair!
Re: What should I check?
Thanks for replying Ken!stuck wrote:Umm... it's not as simple as a black screen saver kicking in, is it? As in, it goes black even though there is movement on the screen / while she's using it?
Otherwise a bad cable and /or connection between the box and the monitor?
Also, look in the monitor's on-screen menu. There might be something in that menu structure about power saving that might explain why it's turning off.
Ken
I've been hunting on line for info so when I go to her home I am prepared as well as I can be. I did find that when people upgraded to Win 10, that it messed up the time out in power settings for some of them. So I reckon that as you pointed out, that will be a place to check! Guess I'll know more after I visit the scene of the crime - as they say!
Smiles to you!
Sandy
Skitterbug
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 78524
- Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
- Status: Microsoft MVP
- Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands
Re: What should I check?
Ken's suggestion of looking for the screensaver settings is the first thing I would check.
Next, in Control Panel > Power Options, check whether the monitor has been set to turn off after x minutes. The screenshot below is from Windows 10.
Next, in Control Panel > Power Options, check whether the monitor has been set to turn off after x minutes. The screenshot below is from Windows 10.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
-
- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1284
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 12:14
- Location: Sitting in my computer chair!
Re: What should I check?
I have copied and pasted your info on my "to check" list! I appreciate all help!HansV wrote:Ken's suggestion of looking for the screensaver settings is the first thing I would check.
Next, in Control Panel > Power Options, check whether the monitor has been set to turn off after x minutes. The screenshot below is from Windows 10.
Thanks!
Sandy
Skitterbug
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
-
- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1284
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 12:14
- Location: Sitting in my computer chair!
Re: What should I check?
Typical - So I gathered ideas and then returned the telephone call to this person in dire need. Surprise! She is not at home. Left a message that I am available to check things out for her - no return call. AARRUUGGHHH
So when and IF I finally do get a chance to check on this person's monitor problem, I'll post the outcome.
Thanks for the rapid response of shared information here. I really appreciate the willingness of our group to help each other!
Sandy
So when and IF I finally do get a chance to check on this person's monitor problem, I'll post the outcome.
Thanks for the rapid response of shared information here. I really appreciate the willingness of our group to help each other!
Sandy
Skitterbug
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
-
- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1284
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 12:14
- Location: Sitting in my computer chair!
Re: What should I check?
So I did make it to my older friend's home and gave her questions a check. I believe maybe the monitor is starting to be a problem for her and she might need to replace it. I could find nothing else to cause the blackouts. I did change the power settings, etc. but she said that her monitor still likes to go black. The other problem she was concerned about was her missing solitaire game. I helped her find it back again. Makes me wonder what I'll be like when I am 85+........
Thanks for the help!
Sandy
Thanks for the help!
Sandy
Skitterbug
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 78524
- Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
- Status: Microsoft MVP
- Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 12612
- Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 15:49
- Location: London, Europe
Re: What should I check?
My Dad is 95 and he keeps losing things from the desktop on his PC. He knows it must be something he does, but has no idea how it happens.Skitterbug wrote:...The other problem she was concerned about was her missing solitaire game. I helped her find it back again. Makes me wonder what I'll be like when I am 85+...
StuartR
-
- Panoramic Lounger
- Posts: 8176
- Joined: 25 Jan 2010, 09:09
- Location: retirement
Re: What should I check?
My mother is 85. When she calls me with a PC problem it always takes me several minutes to get her to realise that I can't see what she can see on her screen.
Ken
Ken
-
- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1284
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 12:14
- Location: Sitting in my computer chair!
Re: What should I check?
Hans - yes, she was very happy to have her game "found" again since she enjoys playing it!
Stuart - It is kind of like accidentally shoving things from the countertop into the rubbish can that sits next to it! I've lost a few kitchen utensils that way!
Ken - you are kind to be so patient with your Mom! It is frustrating sometimes trying to explain the problem to someone on the other end of the telephone!
I dread the day when I struggle with technology since we are entwined with it so tightly now! I guess that is when I call the "kids" and ask for HELP! :)
Sandy
Stuart - It is kind of like accidentally shoving things from the countertop into the rubbish can that sits next to it! I've lost a few kitchen utensils that way!
Ken - you are kind to be so patient with your Mom! It is frustrating sometimes trying to explain the problem to someone on the other end of the telephone!
I dread the day when I struggle with technology since we are entwined with it so tightly now! I guess that is when I call the "kids" and ask for HELP! :)
Sandy
Skitterbug
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.