Monitor problem, screen blacking out

Skybird · 09-22-13, 05:30 PM

Just an update on the state of things.

It began as an annoyance. It ended as a major battle.

Not going into details, I have reason to assume it is not the monitor, but the gfx card or HD. Too complicated to explain in two sentences. Then the ventilator of the gfx. turned loud, and the HD stuttered during booting. Both 2.5 years old.

I then wanted to reinstall an image once again, and learned the Acronis images were not working anymore, maybe something in the USB category of things, I noted erratic behavior with my 3.0 ports earlier. I wanted to use a very old Windows-made image next, and fkr that wanted to clean the hd, kill partitions, but Windows denied the option to do so, also denied to delete partitions when wanting to reinstall W7 from DVD, option greyed out. Tried again with old xp-disc, and then with even older w98-disc, but to no score. Finally, with partitions halve-formatted and not deleted, I used a windows-repair disc to install the old windows-images - and was denied for Windows did not recognize them on a external drive. I theninstalled the usb driver from the mainboard tool disc, but found out that having the driver for the external hd afterwards as an executable on stick is not good enough for windows, it wants those files all listed separately, especially one with some basic file list, if I understand it correctly.

well, that's it in brief, typing from a tablet. installation destroyed, 3 windows images and 6 Acronis images worthless, hardware partially still broken, nerves ruined, frustration on parade.

I ordered a new hd and a gtx660 additionally, and hope it is nothing with the main board. So, gfx, HD and monitor get replaced, two of these items do not last forever anyway, like brakes on a car, you have to replace them occassionally. Then manually doing the installation dance and tuning options and sims - I hate the idea, usually, for all stuff I want to have set up, having databases updated and such things, I'm busy for three days and more.

Just lucky I have the time. But after having it done so often in the past 15 years, it has lost its fascination.

On the good side, it is an opportunity to do a through clean-up, and also to switch from FSX to P3D. SBP also needed a replacement, and some stuff could go that I did not need anymore and just cluttered the HD.

Still, I hate how this turned out. And not little money leaving my pockets again - and these are not the biggest. If the hardware replacements deleted the technical problems, at least I get a new and clean installation again then, on a not worn-out HD. - IF.

Skybird grounded - expect no flights soon.

exit:
the monitor is no ips, but a typical hd gamer screen by Asus for the mass market, amazon had it for 170 Euros and plenty of praise. GTX660 is with 2 GB and manufactured by Gigabyte, Toms Hardware reviewed it okay and it is in the middle of the price range for this card type, with low noise level, which is an important criterion to me, I am sensible to loud noise. HD is 1TB by WD, Blue-label, 6 GB/sec. SSD is desired, but not in the budget.

09-22-13, 05:30 PM	#9
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,660 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Just an update on the state of things. It began as an annoyance. It ended as a major battle. Not going into details, I have reason to assume it is not the monitor, but the gfx card or HD. Too complicated to explain in two sentences. Then the ventilator of the gfx. turned loud, and the HD stuttered during booting. Both 2.5 years old. I then wanted to reinstall an image once again, and learned the Acronis images were not working anymore, maybe something in the USB category of things, I noted erratic behavior with my 3.0 ports earlier. I wanted to use a very old Windows-made image next, and fkr that wanted to clean the hd, kill partitions, but Windows denied the option to do so, also denied to delete partitions when wanting to reinstall W7 from DVD, option greyed out. Tried again with old xp-disc, and then with even older w98-disc, but to no score. Finally, with partitions halve-formatted and not deleted, I used a windows-repair disc to install the old windows-images - and was denied for Windows did not recognize them on a external drive. I theninstalled the usb driver from the mainboard tool disc, but found out that having the driver for the external hd afterwards as an executable on stick is not good enough for windows, it wants those files all listed separately, especially one with some basic file list, if I understand it correctly. well, that's it in brief, typing from a tablet. installation destroyed, 3 windows images and 6 Acronis images worthless, hardware partially still broken, nerves ruined, frustration on parade. I ordered a new hd and a gtx660 additionally, and hope it is nothing with the main board. So, gfx, HD and monitor get replaced, two of these items do not last forever anyway, like brakes on a car, you have to replace them occassionally. Then manually doing the installation dance and tuning options and sims - I hate the idea, usually, for all stuff I want to have set up, having databases updated and such things, I'm busy for three days and more. Just lucky I have the time. But after having it done so often in the past 15 years, it has lost its fascination. On the good side, it is an opportunity to do a through clean-up, and also to switch from FSX to P3D. SBP also needed a replacement, and some stuff could go that I did not need anymore and just cluttered the HD. Still, I hate how this turned out. And not little money leaving my pockets again - and these are not the biggest. If the hardware replacements deleted the technical problems, at least I get a new and clean installation again then, on a not worn-out HD. - IF. Skybird grounded - expect no flights soon. exit: the monitor is no ips, but a typical hd gamer screen by Asus for the mass market, amazon had it for 170 Euros and plenty of praise. GTX660 is with 2 GB and manufactured by Gigabyte, Toms Hardware reviewed it okay and it is in the middle of the price range for this card type, with low noise level, which is an important criterion to me, I am sensible to loud noise. HD is 1TB by WD, Blue-label, 6 GB/sec. SSD is desired, but not in the budget. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert. Last edited by Skybird; 09-22-13 at 05:49 PM.