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Hi, I've just bought a new computer and monitor and am having a few problems. I noticed that when I started to run Battlefield 2142 my monitor would immediately turn itself to standby mode. I would then have to turn the monitor off and on again and then things would run fine. Recently, though, it turns itself to a setting that I cannot get a picture (even after turning it on again) during booting. The only way to make it work is to go into the bios before it turns off, not change anything, and then continue from there. My graphic card is a 9800GT, quad-core Fujitsu Amilo, 26inch Samsung monitor. Any insight very much appreciated.
Your power supply may be inadequate. Did the computer come with that Graphics card installed? Is this a custom built computer or an off the shelf OEM unit?
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An example...
EVGA GeForce 9800 GT Superclocked
http://www.evga.com/products/moreIn..."Requirements
Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 26 Amp Amps.)
Minimum 450 Watt for SLI mode system.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 28 Amp Amps.)"If you already have a 400 or 450 watt PS, or slightly greater, check the specs on the label on the PS, or of your model of your PS on manufacturer's web site - some el-cheapo PSs can't actually supply that much current.
If your power supply is inadequate it may work okay at first, but it will eventually be damaged from you overloading it, and you are likely to first have problems when you try running a recent game, since games often place a lot more load on your cpu and video, requiring more current from the PS.
Also - your video drivers may not always detect the monitor properly, and if your Display settings have the monitor set to Plug and Play monitor, when you have an LCD monitor, some of the display settings available in that mode will result in no display, or you do get a display but using that setting can cause permanent damage to the monitor. It is best to load the specific drivers for the monitor - doing that sets the display settings to only show, by default, the settings both your video drivers and your monitor support.
They are on the CD that came with it. There is either a install program on the CD that installs the drivers, or you can install them by going to Control Panel - Display - Settings - Advanced - Monitor - Properties - Driver - Update Driver - No, not at this time - Install from a list... - Search for the best driver..., Search ...floppy, CD, navigate to the CD for the monitor - Windows is looking for an *.inf file.
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Post the full model of the computer.
I assume the Samsung is an LCD display. Did you install the monitor drivers that should have come on disk with the monitor?
What resolution are you using?
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Thanks very much for your suggestions. I'm not actually able to get to my computer for a couple of days but I will post back when I have had the chance to investigate the points you have made.
If it is the power supply, will the shop have to replace it? How can I determine whether it is or not?
I did get a cd with the monitor, but never seemed to have cause to use it, I just plugged it in. Maybe that's the cause, although I'm not sure if there were actual drivers on it or whether it was just a guide to using it.
BTW, my system is a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Pi 3645-21P and my monitor is a Samsung 24 TFT T240HD.
If anyone else has anything to add, I would be most grateful.
Thanks again!
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The website only states the PSU is 400W max. That is meaningless by itself. There MAY be detailed specs on the PSU or at least a model number. You may need to open the case to see. Be sure opening the case doesn't void your warranty before proceeding.
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BTW, I use max resolution (1920x1200) but Battlefield 2142 can't run that high and it still turns itself off.
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"I would then have to turn the monitor off and on again and then things would run fine"
The 1st thing you should do is try the monitor on another system. The PSU *might* be the problem, but it seems odd that switching the monitor off/on will bring back the display.
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"I did get a cd with the monitor, but never seemed to have cause to use it, I just plugged it in. "
That is often NOT wise if you have an LCD monitor.
All recent Samsung monitors, and Samsung TVs that have a VGA input port for monitor use, have monitor drivers on the CD that came with them.
See the part in response 3 starting...
"Also - your video drivers may not always detect the monitor properly..."If that doesn't help...
Games are well known to NOT work with all the systems they can be installed on that meet or exceed the game's minimum requirements. If everything else works fine except for (the) game(s), there are things you can try regarding the game(s), but sometimes you have no choice but to NOT use the game!
If you have problems with things besides the game(s), it sounds like you need to return your computer and get another one, or at least have it troubleshooted - your warranty covers that - that can often be done locally.
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BTW, that LCD display is actually a HDTV. I suggest you try installing the Samsung driver.
Also check to make sure you are not using any hibernation.
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Ok, I installed the Samsung driver from the disk provided and it said that everything was installed correctly and that the device (the monitor) was working fine, but it's still happening.
I also tried the computer with another monitor but the same problem. To boot it up to post this message, I had to boot it three times. It just goes to black screen and nothing happens, and eventually it'll boot after a few tries. But I'm pretty sure it's the computer now, not the monitor.
I guess I'll take it back to the shop and see what they say. Perhaps it's the power supply. Don't you just hate computers sometimes?
Anyway guys, many thanks for your help on this one, it's much appreciated.
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