Monitor Signal Loss

Ok. I've looked all over Google and searched all the forums that I've come across trying to find an answer to my problem.

My problem is, when trying to play anything that requires 3D Acceleration (ie: World of Warcraft, UT2k4, 3dMark, etc) my video just goes away. My monitor acts like it's not getting a signal after about the first 3 or so seconds of watching/doing anything in 3d. At first, the problem was that my computer would lock up after about 15-30 minutes of anything that required a lot of processing, leading me to believe it was something overheating; most likely my CPU. To help resolve the issue, I installed a new heatsink/fan and put another fan in the case itself. That seemed to help a little, but the problem still persisted. Eventually, I just gave up on trying to keep the computer cool and bought new components. I purchased a new motherboard, cpu, ram, and video card. Although the computer ran a LOT faster, I still had the same problem (video would disappear or the computer would completely lock up). I continued to research finding that the most likely cause was the PSU (400w at the time). The PSU was fairly old (purchased before AGP 8x was a standard) so last week I upped to an Aspire 520w that I knew would be able to handle my new equipment. Still, the same problem..

Things I've done to help resolve the issue:
1. Format and start completely over
2. Install Omega drivers for Radeon
3. Installed new heatsink and applied new thermal grease
4. Bought new hardware (Motherboard, Video Card, Ram, CPU)
5. Updated video drivers, reinstalled DirectX

I have noticed, however, that with my older videocard (Radeon 8500) installed, the problem isn't as frequent but the video (in games) will lock up for about 10 seconds at a time. The newer video card (GeForce 6600GT) will, apparently, stop sending a signal after only a few seconds into the game.

Everything will work extremely well as long I don't play any 3d games or do anything that requires some sort of 3d acceleration.

The fact that I can't figure out where this problem is coming from is really starting to bother me. And any help would be appreciated.

Old system:
AthlonXP 1700+
Abit motherboard (can't find model number)
768mb Crucial Ram
ATi Radeon 8500 128mb 4x AGP
400w Allied PSU
ViewSonic G90f Monitor

New System:
Athlon64 3000+
Abit KV8 Pro Motherboard
1gb PC3200 Crucial Ram
GeForce 6600GT 128mb 8x AGP
520w Aspire PSU
ViewSonic G90f Monitor

So far, the only components I haven't changed are the Monitor and Case. I'm starting to think the monitor would be the problem. Luckily I have another monitor I can try before I buy a brand new one just to find out that wasn't the problem. I don't think the case would be very likely unless it doesn't like acting as a ground for the motherboard or something.

Again, any help would be appreciated.
- SROL

 

Which version of directx?
Did ou try a dxdiag?

 

You said it,its the monitor but I wouldn't say it's going I think you may have to update the drivers from the manufacturers website,you should also run this program or one similar to make sure your monitors refresh rates arn't exceeded

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=427

You need to install the drivers first though. whenever I update my videocard drivers I always run it.

 

It's DirectX 9.0c and dxdiag doesn't show anything wrong. All of the buttons on the Display tab are Enabled.

And before I forget, a few other things I've tried:
- Lowered the AGP Aperture size to 64mb.
- Turned off AGP Fast-Write (not sure if that would have done anything but I tried it anyway)

Neither of those worked together or separate so they're back to 128 and On.

I guess I should have mentioned that it does it at 60hz as well. I upped my Windows Refresh rate to 75hz but in World of Warcraft it's still at 60hz. I've also reinstalled the drivers. Maybe the monitor doesn't like changing refresh rates just to play a game? I'll download that program and post the results, too..

 

I ran RefreshForce and it says that with my current resolution (1280x1024) I should be at 85hz . I'm currently using 75hz, would that be the problem?

But then, why would all of my 3d Accelerated programs 'kill' the signal?

 

I guess I can't edit posts after 5 minutes ... but anyway.

I'm currently reading: Troubleshooting Monitor Problems. On Page 3, Common Faults, Letter A; the last diagnosis seems like that may be the cause. "A fault in the monitor circuitry has caused the power supply circuitry to "crow-bar" or shut itself off internally."

I guess I'll hook up another monitor sometime today and see what happens.

 

Try starting the the said games in safe mode,if the games have one and setting the menu's to bit depth and resolution/refresh your monitor supports,or do the games crash when you get to the actual gameplay?Which driver have you installed for your monitor?BTW welcome to MG

 

Thanks for the welcome.

The signal goes out when I get to the actual gameplay. As far as the drivers go, all I know is that I installed the only driver available on ViewSonic's website for all of their monitors in Windows 2000 (ViewSonic Driver Index). My display properties say "ViewSonic G90f-2 on GeForce 6600 GT" if that helps at all.

 

When refreshforce detected the best resolutions for your monitor did you press the apply button?,also make sure your monitor is selected in the top drop box.Refreshforce doesn't just tell you what your refresh rates are,its a powerfull tool that locks the refresh rates for all resolutions to thier optimal refresh rate possible by your monitor no matter what application your using games or desktop.

 

Ahh.. well I didn't click Apply because the refresh rate was higher than the one I had selected so I assumed it would only worsen the situation...

I hooked myself up to another monitor and that didn't work.

I started pulling hardware out one by one to see if any of that was the problem. As soon as I opened the case, I decided to pop the Video card out to investigate. Come to find out, I'm a moron... I had no idea that the newer cards need to be hooked directly up to the PSU. I ran 3DMark with no problems on my current monitor. I'm off to try out the games now. I'm pretty positive that this will fix me up. As far as the older problems, I think my older PSU just wasn't sufficient enough for an Athlon64 and modern-day hardware. Or at least something along those lines. But 3D Mark was SOOO pretty!

Thanks for all the help Rikky. I'll be hanging around but I'm not much of a poster unless I break something. Take care

 

Np m8,your lucky it turned on without power to the gfx card,if you can put it on its own seperate line from the psu,so it can have clean stable current.

 

I've seen it completely screw up Device Manager and Windows by not having the molex power connector hooked up.

Lucky yours still works okay.

Anyway, about this "RefreshForce 1.1", not too sure if I would trust a program that "UNIVERALLY and PERMANENTLY fixes the Windows......"

What is Univerally?

 

Well whatever it is, it's gotta be good. I know I want one. And, honestly, I think we could all use a Univeral.

 

Well its worked fine for me and I used a few refresh rate fixes that claim to fix the 60hz bug/lock refresh rates and some of them have,but its the first one "I have found"That auto detects and perminantly sets the refresh rate WITH ONE MOUSE CLICK. I know your joking