Weird Problem

My nieces' computer has a strange problem. She moved recently and thinks someone may have dislodged something.

Here's what happened:
I plugged it in and the monitor wouldn't work. I got another power cord and tried that. It worked fine. I got online with it and downloaded current virus definitions for everything and all seemed well. She sat down to check her email and omg the bsod appeared and there were so many black lines through the writing we couldn't even see what the error was. Then the screen went black again. Now when you plug it in and turn on the computer and monitor you can hear the power go on and then the monitor clicks and the status button blinks but thats it. Sooooo, I tried hooking it up to my monitor and the same thing happens. What do you guys think it could be?
B

 

Probably the video card!

I would try opening the case, and reseating the card that the monitor connects to. Hopefully, it is not an onboard device (ie. built right into the motherboard) if so, you may have to consider purchasing a new one, or hopefully getting warranty work done on the mobo.

Good luck!

 

I don't have any experience doing that. (opening the case and reseating the card) I'd be terrified of ruining something. Is there somewhere to find pictures of someone doing this that I could have a look at?
B

 

This link contains the instructions for replacing a video card (with pictures). This may be a little more than you need, but it you shouldn't have any problem just pulling the card out, and putting it back in the way it came. Don't be scared, motherboard designers have made this fairly fool proof.

 

I took a look in there and it's really dusty and dirty looking. Could that have anything to do with it? The video card is itself dirty with dust all over it!
B

 

You can get a can of compressed air and blow the case out, but make sure you try the suggestions given above. Might want to take the computer outside before you blow it out though, experience has shown blowing out a computer inside will only aggrevate allergies and make a big mess!

 

Thank you all for your quick and informative replies, but, in the end we opted to take it to the puter shop. Thanks again.
B