Problem After MS Upgrade
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 474
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From: UK
Problem After MS Upgrade
At the weekend, I downloaded the latest update for my Windows XP system. Since then, I have encountered a problem with my computer. I normally leave the computer on every night, during which time I back up my files. I leave the computer on, for the programme to back up my files to automatically kick in overnight, and switch off the monitor, to conserve power.
Since the upgrade, when I switch the monitor back on in the morning, I briefly see the screen saver for about a second, and then the screen goes black. i can switch off and then on again, with the same result. Even after waiting for 30 minutes, the screen still comes out black. Only when I use the re-boot button on the computer will the system come back to normal, after a normal start-up procedure. This in turn means that I have lost data on work that I had left the following evening, if I forgot to press the Save button!!.
Can you suggest what may be the problem?
Since the upgrade, when I switch the monitor back on in the morning, I briefly see the screen saver for about a second, and then the screen goes black. i can switch off and then on again, with the same result. Even after waiting for 30 minutes, the screen still comes out black. Only when I use the re-boot button on the computer will the system come back to normal, after a normal start-up procedure. This in turn means that I have lost data on work that I had left the following evening, if I forgot to press the Save button!!.
Can you suggest what may be the problem?
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: LONDON
I have seen this before with NVidia graphics cards, namely my 8800GTS can experience that.
Am on the move so will provide more comprehensive if you have an NVIDIA card as to how to get round this. My experience was on Vistal Ultimate but the problem I located could be on XP also.
A short term workaround is to switch off the energystar control of the monitor and in the power settings make sure it does not put your graphics card to sleep.
Will be back in a few hours if you could describe your system in a little more detail.
Cheers
Am on the move so will provide more comprehensive if you have an NVIDIA card as to how to get round this. My experience was on Vistal Ultimate but the problem I located could be on XP also.
A short term workaround is to switch off the energystar control of the monitor and in the power settings make sure it does not put your graphics card to sleep.
Will be back in a few hours if you could describe your system in a little more detail.
Cheers
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
From: The Land of Beer and Chocolate
Tosh, did you download any drivers from Win Update when you did the update?
M$ drivers are a bit notorious for causing problems, so the solution may be to download the latest drivers for your video card from the manufacturer's site and install them.
And can you give us more detaills regarding the graphics card/monitor as it could be something simple like a driver issue
M$ drivers are a bit notorious for causing problems, so the solution may be to download the latest drivers for your video card from the manufacturer's site and install them.
And can you give us more detaills regarding the graphics card/monitor as it could be something simple like a driver issue
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: UK
Downloaded the drivers and installed them. Switched off monitor last night, and unfortunately found the same problem this morning.
I'm going to try leaving the monitor on tonight, to see what happens.
I'll let you know.
I'm going to try leaving the monitor on tonight, to see what happens.
I'll let you know.
More bang for your buck
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,513
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From: land of the clanger
As an alternative, does your back up program have the option of turning off the computer when it's finished? If so tell it to turn it off so that you just re-boot in the morning.
Leaving unsaved work overnight isn't a good idea anyway, to easy for it to get corrupted by a power glitch.
Leaving unsaved work overnight isn't a good idea anyway, to easy for it to get corrupted by a power glitch.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 1
From: Cambridge, England, EU
I normally leave the computer on every night
When you're not using it turn the ****ing thing off, there's a good chap, for heaven's sake.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 755
Likes: 26
From: Dublin, Ireland. (No, I just live here.)
Or at least use the Standby facility, let the Power settings do that after e.g. an hour of inactivity.
As for the possibility of lost work... if you walk away from a keyboard with your work not saved, you deserve whatever happens. Ctrl-S works in most applications, including all Microsoft Office versions going back 15+ years, so try and make it an automatic reflex if possible.
As for the possibility of lost work... if you walk away from a keyboard with your work not saved, you deserve whatever happens. Ctrl-S works in most applications, including all Microsoft Office versions going back 15+ years, so try and make it an automatic reflex if possible.
