Media player cuts on and off?

Whenever I use Windows Media Player or other players on my desk top it makes the monitor flash on and off. Sometimes it even cuts the whole computer off and restarts it. What could be wrong? Thanks!

 

do you know if you have the proper drivers installed?

 

What do you have your screen resolution set to? Maybe try lowering it depending on how high it is set. If it is higher than recommended than the extra demand put upon the system by trying to play a video at that resolution could cause the problem.

 

Here are some things you can try:



1.
Lower the desktop resolution by right-clicking desktop, and select personalize and then click display settings and then test.
2.
Verify you have the most up-to-date drivers for your video card. If not install them.
3.
The video card maybe over heating - if the video card has a fan on the card, try cleaning dust away from the video card (canned air). Ensure you have the power turned off first.

 

I tried opening the Nvidia control panel but computer locks up. It does this every time. I just installed updates for my video card yesterday. I don't know what is ment by "proper driver". I've had the same Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 installed since day one but I did put a new Sony hard drive about a year ago.