random video stop, reboot

[rwbrick]

Recently my Win2000 started randomly shutting off the video (black screen, power still on). So far, only when on line and coincident with a selection (click) of one kid or another. But not often. The only way I can get the screen back is reboot. A couple of times it rebooted itself. Any ideas?

I have a PIII @ 600MHz, 256MB RAM, Intel MB w/ i820 chipset, and a Voodoo3 3DFX 2x AGP video card; use a 56kbps dialup modem.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Sounds like hibernation. Go to control panel and then power options. Under power schemes tab, you will see things like turn off monitor, turn off screen . Adjust those for never.

 

[rwbrick]

Hibernation is not enabled. I do have Power Saver enabled, but that is not what's happening: 1st, power saver correctly doesn't execute until after 20 min of inactivity; 2nd power saver shuts off (most of) the power to the CRT display and the LED turns yellow. With my problem the power stays on the display -- I just lose the picture (entirely) and no activity brings it back.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Go into bios and check hibernation and power settings in there and let me know what you find.

 

[rwbrick]

My Dell Dimension XPS BIOS has no settings for Hibernation or Power Saver.

 

[electronicsfreak]

well im out of ideas for now, not really sure what might be causing that. If I think of any ill post. Anyone else looking at this thread give it a shot.

 

[rwbrick]

electronicsfreak, thanks for the assistance, anyway. Any chance a goofy AGP video card can cause this havoc?

 

[electronicsfreak]

well it is possible a video card could do that. heres an idea find the newest version of driver for the card. Heres a site you can use. when you find it if you dont have it already unisntall the driver, restart and then reinstall the new one. Also do that even if you are using the newest , remove it, restart and reinstall it.

http://www.driverguide.com

(membership required but is free)

Also put your system disc in close anything it loads. Go to command prompt and type sfc/scannow. If by any chance it says your using a different sp then what your system disc is you can follow the site below to make one. Weither or not this solves your problem still a good idea to have a system disc with your current service pack on it.

http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2000_xp_sp_slipstreaming.htm

Also check to make sure your card is still securely in the slot and screwed down where it wont move. DOnt know if this will help but its some more ideas lol.

 

[rwbrick]

I'll give all of the above a try, though the driver seems unlikely -- it's been steady forever until a couple of weeks ago......

 

[rwbrick]

I've had no look with any of the above. I have verified that the "reboot" (actually everything shutting down but just shor of a restart) occurs whether or not I'm on the internet. Anything on the physical motherboard switches that would cause this??

 

[electronicsfreak]

Sounds like possible bad ram then. Download this tester from below and have only one stick of ram in the computer at a time when you test it.

http://www.memtest86.com/