Is My Computer Dead?

[KnoxHarrington]

I have a fairly old desktop that I use more as a file and print server than anything (I use my much newer laptop for my important computer duties, like finding porn.)

A couple of days ago, it started acting up. I noticed that the monitor was giving me a "No Signal" sign even though the computer was on, and I couldn't get a picture. When I tried to restart it, the Dell logo screen came up, with flashing bars across it. It looked like this: imagine that the screen is divided into vertical bars, and some of them are showing up fine, and the others are blinking. After a while, it went black, and didn't finish booting.

I did successfully get it into safe mode, and I tried uninstalling the video driver, but that didn't fix anything. My suspicion is that the video card itself is failing, but I'm worried it's a motherboard issue instead. Any thoughts, anyone?

[Hottub]

Sounds like the video card. Although Dell is notorious for having video onboard the motherboard.
Pick yourself up a cheap vid card and swap it in.

[BMoses]

I find that my back up computer has slowed down a lot since I added my tranny porn collection to it. Who knew computers had such a hard time with chicks with dicks?

That being said I say video card as well.

[JPMNICK]

check craigslist for a 20 dollar video card, or just put one from another PC in there and check it out.

also might the power supply giving weak power, but try the video card 1st

[Cockstrong]

I also say video card, just find a cheap replacement and see if it helps. Make sure you buy the right kind of card, given the age of the computer it will probably take PCI or AGP. If it's an onboard card, don't be surprised when the rest of the motherboard dies.

[KnoxHarrington]

The sad fact is that the video card isn't the original, it's an AGP I bought a couple of years ago. Oh well.

I'd never buy a computer with onboard video. That's just asking for trouble.

Yeah, I'm going to look around for a cheap-ass video card. There might be a spare one lying around at my office taht the IT guy will let me have. I went to Best Buy to look but all they have are the huge-ass gamer video cards that started at like $70.

[KnoxHarrington]

I played around with it a bit more this morning. What I did was this: I booted into safe mode, and removed the display adapter in the control panel. I rebooted, and it seemed to come up fine, until at a certain point, it gave me a BSOD and rebooted. This happened after Windows was looking like it was beginning to come up.

I'm thinking now that a reinstall of Windows might just be the best option.

[S0S]

What is the BSOD error message?

[cougarjake13]

my problem just started today


i have my laptop with the battery in it but also plugged into the adapter to keep full charge

when ever i take the adapter out the screen gets darker and as soon as i plug it back in it goes back to the full lighted screen


my screen keeps flashing every few seconds from this darkened screen to the normal lighted screen



any ideas???

[zentraed]

my problem just started today


i have my laptop with the battery in it but also plugged into the adapter to keep full charge

when ever i take the adapter out the screen gets darker and as soon as i plug it back in it goes back to the full lighted screen


my screen keeps flashing every few seconds from this darkened screen to the normal lighted screen



any ideas???

Your adapter might be shorting out. Try running the computer without the battery and see if it stays on.

[KC2OSO]

I find that my back up computer has slowed down a lot since I added my tranny porn collection to it. Who knew computers had such a hard time with chicks with dicks?

That being said I say video card as well.
Maybe your BIOS has turned a bit Bi-Curious...

[ANC]

I have a fairly old desktop that I use more as a file and print server than anything (I use my much newer laptop for my important computer duties, like finding porn.)

A couple of days ago, it started acting up. I noticed that the monitor was giving me a "No Signal" sign even though the computer was on, and I couldn't get a picture. When I tried to restart it, the Dell logo screen came up, with flashing bars across it. It looked like this: imagine that the screen is divided into vertical bars, and some of them are showing up fine, and the others are blinking. After a while, it went black, and didn't finish booting.

I did successfully get it into safe mode, and I tried uninstalling the video driver, but that didn't fix anything. My suspicion is that the video card itself is failing, but I'm worried it's a motherboard issue instead. Any thoughts, anyone?

Hey Buddy, by any chance is it an Optiplex GX 270 or 280? These 2 models (as well as others) have a problem where the capacitators on the motherboard leak and corrode. This sounds like the symptoms. I ran into this problem about 50 times over the past year at my office. If this is the case, the only thing to do is have a Dell tech come replace the motherboard. Here's an thread on the issue (http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=pw_other&message.id=10195&c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen)

[Death Metal Moe]

What is the BSOD error message?

BSOD=Blue Screen Of Death

[cougarjake13]

Your adapter might be shorting out. Try running the computer without the battery and see if it stays on.

thanks zena

it was actually my power strip that my adapter was on and the comp was running just on battery power and was slowing running out of juice

[S0S]

BSOD=Blue Screen Of Death
I meant what is the output when it BSODs.

[cougarjake13]

well it wasnt my powerstrip


for some reason my battery wont re charge and i cant run my laptop off of just outlet power, bought a new battery and a new ac adapter and still it wont recharge


anyone have any ideas to what could cause this and is it worth trying to fix or just get a new laptop ???