Screen keeps going blank at startup

Okay, here's the problem: I have a 19in. samsung LCD (912n) and I'm running windows XP home. When I startup my computer, it'll go through the routine, the 'windows is starting up' then when the login screen SHOULD appear, the screen just stays black...I don't know what is happening! Also, sometimes if I haven't been using it for 10-15 minutes, it goes black and I can't get it back on. It's not hybernating or going to standby, I checked those settings. It does startup just fine sometimes though. Any thoughts?

-Joe

Dell 4700
DVD +/- Rw
Dell wireless mouse & keyboard
512 mb DDR2
40gig SATA
160gig ATA
Radeon x700 pro
P4-520 (2.8 ghz)

 

Next time it goes black you could try connecting a different monitor and see what results you get.

Does your hard drive appear to keep working when you lose the visual?

 

Does it start in Safe Mode?

 

O.k., there is a few things that it might be.

First make sure you hear beeps from the MOBO in startup.

First thing, you must check the video card to see if its loose and if the monitor connection is solidly in there tight. Sometimes video cards just go.

Next, check cpu temp and make sure its not overheating or has overheated for whatever reason.

Then check your memory, if memory goes bad, you will get a balck screen at times. I got balckscreen over and over again and tried different video cards etc..

I simply took out the cpu and memory and left it out 10 minutes. I put everything back in which resets the cpu and memory and it came back on. It must have overheated at some point.

Check your monitor and connection cable.

I am sure its among these examples.