BleepingComputer.com: Loss of display with no discernable cause

Problem: Loss of display (blank screen) and monitor indicates no video signal (amber power light). Typically occurs when user is viewing PDF documents in Adobe Acrobat but has happened when user was in Outlook so issue is not 100% dependent on application.

Hardware: Dell OptiPlex 780, 4GB RAM, Radeon 3450 videocard

Software: Windows XP SP3 fully patched, all Dell Drivers are up to date along with BIOS, Adobe Acrobat is up to date

Things I've tried:
Disabled addon videocard and used built in video - issue occurs
Re-installed video card drivers - issue occurs
Tried new monitor - issue occurs
Ran Dell Diagnostics - no problems reported
Ran Memtest86 - no problems reported

Other info:
System is still running when display blanks so it's not a system crash
You can access the C:\ over the network along with connecting via remote desktop
No events are logged in Event Viewer

I'm at a loss right now. Only thing I can think of that's left to do is build him a new computer.

This post has been edited by hamluis: 17 August 2010 - 10:35 AM
Reason for edit: Moved from XP forum to Internal Hardware ~ Hamluis.

hello...
could you tell your adobe acrobat version???

Adobe Reader 9.3.3

sorry...
just read that your problem happen not only on adode reader...
could you tell on what software this happen???

you could read this for adobe reader...
Troubleshoot system errors or freezes (Acrobat 9 Standard, Pro and Pro Extended on Windows XP)

This post has been edited by abauw: 17 August 2010 - 09:59 AM

Hmm... some thoughts:

Uninstall reader completely. Install Foxit or some other alternative.

Check Power management settings, and tell everything to stay on always - this is just for troubleshooting, you can always change it back later, so that means *everything* - don't let anything go to sleep or turn off.

the usual "sfc /scannow", install all windows updates

It really sounds like it must be software related - if you had another drive handy and an XP disc, we could prove it out for sure.

I thought of Foxit yesterday but have not tried it yet. I'll check the power management too, make sure it's set to stay on.

Thanks for the suggestions!