Screen Goes Black, but Sound Still Plays When Playing Certain Games

Prototype661

Prototype661

Member
Pretty much what happens is that i'll be playing a game for about an hour or two, and then the screen will suddenly go black, but the audio still plays. To get the computer responding again I have to manually restart the computer. This happens at random times in my games; I could be playing for not even 5 minutes and it will stop responding, and sometimes I can play for 3 hours straight and not a single thing happens.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Memory
    4.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4600
Welcome
Go to the website of your graphics card and update driver.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hello Prototype661,

In addition to what Richard has said, I would suggest performing a Pre-Boot System Assessment (PSA / ePSA) Diagnostics.
Run the test and check if gives any error code. Note down the error code and update me with the same, would let you know the next course of action. If the test passes on all the hardware components, follow the next step.

Run the Dell PC Diagnostics on the video card to check the functionality of the video card.

Please try the steps and write back with results.
 

My Computer

System One

richc46 said:
Welcome
Go to the website of your graphics card and update driver.
Click to expand...

I have just updated all of my drivers, but the computer is still acting the same.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Memory
    4.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4600
It could be that the power supply on your monitor is going bad. However, if it only happens while playing games, I don't think that would be the problem. It could also be the power suppy on your system or the graphics card since both are seeing higher loads while playing games. Have you looked at the Event Viewer to see if there's anything there that might identify the problem?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics Card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
Here's my theory: My computer is almost 7 years old and it used to be my dads work computer, therefore it was constantly on. Then he gave it to me so I could have a good computer to play games on. Because of the computer constantly being on and used, the power supply is starting to fail. The screen goes black because the video card is not getting sufficient power, and fails.

BTW I just switched to a different computer that we almost never used and put the good video card from the original computer in it. I have an ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series video card.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Memory
    4.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4600
Yha that's very sound theory, and very plausible.

I'd run furmark on it anyway just to test it out...
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics Card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
Your theory goes along with what I surmised in post #5 which lead to testing suggested by Patonb.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
OK so I just switched the graphics card to another computer, but i'm still having the same problem. I did notice something though. The screen went black in the middle of my game as usual, but the computer is still responding. Even though the screen is black, I can still hear myself running, swinging my weapon, jumping, (etc.). This obviously means that this is a graphics card problem. I'm just not sure if it is overheating or not getting sufficient power from the PSU.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Memory
    4.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4600
It could be that it's just kaput.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Not loking to good for the card. Can you put a known good card into the busted one?
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics Card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
I'm not sure what you mean by putting a good card into a busted one. You can buy a new card and insert it into the motherboard. You just have to make sure that the new card and your motherboard are compatible and that your power supply is large enough to power the new card and meet other power requirements.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
And you don't think I know all that? ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics Card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
Sorry Patonb. I was thinking that response was from the author of the thread. As I said, I didn't know what you meant.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Thanks guys for the help. Guess i'll just have to get a new card.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Memory
    4.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4600
wither 3 said:
Sorry Patonb. I was thinking that response was from the author of the thread. As I said, I didn't know what you meant.
Click to expand...
I know :)


Prototype661 said:
Thanks guys for the help. Guess i'll just have to get a new card.
Click to expand...

Be warned, you only have a 300W power supply and will be limited to low end/ Entry cards.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics Card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
Most of all, let us know how it turns out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
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