Odd Video Problem

[3v0]

Machine is an aprox 6 year old Dell.

The video comes up OK. becomes unstable, dims, and goes away in about 4 seconds. LCD monitor in analog mode. If you look at the screen from the top you can still see the video a bit.

Changing the monitor, cable, and video card did not help. The replacement video card was PCI so it went into a different slot,

I removed all cards but the PCI video with no change.

Problem exists even if you are in the bios setup screens so that should rule out software.

Any Ideas.

The owner is going to get a new system but I would like to get this one going for his teenage daughter if possible.

3v0

 

[rmn_tech]

Sounds like you have an inverter problem, as the video signal is still present.

 

[Mikebits]

Have you tried the monitor on a known good working PC?

 

[picbits]

Mine was doing this. I traced it down to bad electrolytic caps in the main power supply.

 

[3v0]

Mine was doing this. I traced it down to bad electrolytic caps in the main power supply.

That sounds like a real possibility.


@Mikebits and rmn_tech
A know good monitor, video cable and video card were tried and it did not change.

3v0