BleepingComputer.com: Monitor Black Out Problem

Now when I boot my computer up normally, after I see the Windows XP screen, it goes to the Blue Screen of Death. I see the error message saying nv4_disp. Maybe we can start from there.

Note: I'm running on VGA mode.

This post has been edited by zourpatch: 24 December 2009 - 08:10 PM

Hmmm....that's not good.

I looked at my mom's desktop and its monitor is labeled as "Plug and Play Monitor" in the Device Manager. When I click "Driver Details" I get something like this: "No driver files are required or loaded for this device."

That's even weirder. I thought EVERYTHING had to have drivers!! Including something as important as a monitor. Guess I was wrong.

One quick question, hehe.....do you have your data backed up? That might be a good idea since you're blue-screening (I hope you already have backups). You shouldn't have to reinstall, but it's never out of the question.....

It's possible that that wrong driver is crashing your system, but there really is no way to know without deleting it (which is probably the best idea at this point).

See if you can boot into Safe Mode, go find that new driver, and delete it. Windows shouldn't use it if there isn't a piece of hardware that needs it, but I've heard that installing the wrong driver can crash your system (there might be some truth to that apparently!). Also, see how things act in safe mode (the monitor specifically). Windows just loads generic drivers needed to function, so you shouldn't have any issues. Getting everything to work when you're booted regularly might be a different story.

Another question: Where are all the hardware pro's to help us out here? I know how to do basic troubleshooting, but I'm no expert. I'm just telling you what I would try myself first. I'll do my best to get you back up and running, but I was expecting an expert to come by now and show me up with the perfect solution (which I don't have an issue with, as long as the problem is fixed).

Hey, your video card doesn't happen to be a NVIDIA, does it? I found this article about that error you got. That was the next thing I was going to suggest: updating the video card driver. I guess you can do it in safe mode after all!!

So, to recap: boot into safe mode, delete that wrong driver, and update your video card driver (you can download it on another computer and transfer it by flash drive, or do safe mode with networking).

Let me know how your Safe Mode escapades go, and we'll go from there.

Ok so here's what I did.

I went into safe mode and uninstalled the current driver I have. It prompted me to restart my computer and I clicked ok. From there, I still noticed my Windows XP Screen was still the same (choppy, blurry, vertical lines through the Windows XP). Everything is fine, desktop wise. I go ahead and find the driver for my video card and install it. It prompts me to restart and I do so. However, I still experience the exact same problem. So it seems like that did not fix the problem.

And yes, I do have a Nvidia card. From that article you sent me, that is the same method I just tried and am still experiencing the same problem.

This post has been edited by zourpatch: 25 December 2009 - 04:29 AM

Okay, that's better (relatively speaking!). We're back to your original problem, it seems.

Since we now know that drivers are not the problem, have you tried a different monitor or tried putting one of those monitors on a different computer? I would like to know how they function on a different machine. It's possible that there is a short in the cable or something. Are you using the same cable for each one or do they each have their own cable (check both ends of the cable for signs of damage). Try using a different cable.

Let me know what happens.

Merry Christmas!!

The monitors work fine because there are time where my computer would just lag and eventually just freeze completely. I know that for sure because I would test it out by playing a song and see if it is the monitor that is the problem or the actual CPU. I can say from that test is that it's the CPU. The monitors work fine on my other computer.

As for the cable, I'm using the same cable on my old computer (the broken one) with the newer one that I am on now. So I think it's safe to say the cable is fine.

Could it be a graphics card malfunction?


Btw, Merry Christmas to you as well.

I might be a bit late on the responses because it's Christmas and I'm going to be spending some time with the family. Thank you for taking time to help me with my current situation and have a Merry Christmas.

This post has been edited by zourpatch: 25 December 2009 - 04:16 PM

Ok so I just removed my video card and used the standard one. Everything is normal.

Does this look like a video card error?

Well, that solves that. The monitors and cable aren't your problem.

Yes, it's very possible that your custom computer has parts that are giving up the ghost. Could be the graphics card (most likely), could be the CPU (maybe), could be the motherboard (also possible).

You know what went into it, and I don't know all that much about the guts of a 'puter.

I suggest you run some PC diagnostic software that could likely tell you what's wrong. I've heard Everest is good. I'll probably download it once I get back to high-speed internet. Try that and see what comes up. It might save you some trouble of replacing one part at a time (which could be expensive!!).

Good luck and I hope you had a great Christmas!!

Oh, didn't see that last post.

Yeah, that would pretty much nail that down as the problem. Darn video card.

haha

Congrats!! Your problem is solved!!

keyboardNinja, on Dec 25 2009, 06:56 PM, said:

It's nice to know that only the card was damaged and there was no harm to my CPU (hard drive / mother board). I greatly appreciate the help. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

You're very welcome.

Have a Happy New Year, too!!

Hey, a little update / quick question.


So I just got a new video card, installed it, and got everything to work fine. There is just one problem. Every time I turn on the computer, I get a "Found New Hardware Prompt" saying a new hardware (PCI-E Card) is found even though I installed the driver and everything is working fine.

It seems XP is excited about the new card every time you turn it on.

haha

I don't really know what to tell you on that one. Maybe it will stop after a while, maybe not. It isn't really a problem as much as it is an annoyance.

http://forums.techguy.org/windows-xp/99365...y-computer.html
Google search

That's what I found. You might try uninstalling it, then rebooting. Or uninstall, reinstall, THEN reboot. I don't really know. You'll just have to fiddle with it or learn to ignore it.

hahah I see.

I can't really complain I suppose. Everything is pretty much back to normal, excluding the found new hardware problem. Appreciate the reply Ninja. Thanks.

No prob.

When I get my netbook, I'll come looking for you to help me install a new/better ssd and a 2GB stick of memory.

Alright!