Ok so I go to switch on my pc and the screen goes all multi coloured blocks like a nightmare from the DTE editor. Windows seems to be working ok as I can hear the welcome jingle on start up. Anyway I jiggle the cable and check the connections still no joy. Thinking that my monitor is broke I'm not best pleased as I only replaced it a couple of months ago after our old cat decided to use it as a litter tray. Perhaps he's commenting on my Bryce work in some way.
Luckily this is not the case as I have an xbox that also connects to the screen and this worked fine and visions of launching the cat through the open window subsided. I changed the monitor cable to see if this had any effect, and for about 10 minutes it did. Then the monior just went all weird again and the computer actually shut itself down. So I've tried restarting several times. Occasionally I will get to see my desktop other times nothing but the multi coloured blocks. Even in safe mode I get the same. Any ideas? 

Have you check your video card? Maybe it's loose?

after our old cat decided to use it as a litter tray.Perhaps he's commenting on my Bryce work in some way. ...visions of launching the cat through the open window subsided.

*I'm sorry.. I'm not laughing here.. i'm trying to imagine you after that incident..and it does call for helpless giggles. i love animals..and they do pretty hysterical things at times..even if it exasperates you till your hair falls out.

As thunderstone says..check the video card? I'm no good at this.. Isn't there a way you do a disk check? *

No it's fine as afar as I can see.

Rosie I couldn't work it out at first I though somebody had spiiled a drink on it, but when I got that ammonia smell the realisation sank in. I might have killed him but he's all old and ill so he gets away with things. I have to cover my pc under towels and allsorts when I'm not around just in case he does it again. More concerned about my wacom getting ruined than my screen though.

the poor cat.. you thinking of killing him. tsk, tsk. Think of it....he's got dementia, he's old and weak..and to top it out..he can't help it..he doesn't wear adult kitty diapers. But yup..know what it is.. my sister has two cats..one is too old to climb the computer desk..but the other..is a queen of cat..and sits on the monitor to warm herself. I'm sure if the monitor is opened up, there'll be a flurry of a truckful of cat hair flying out!

Cover your wacom..or place it somewhere where he can't reach it!

I can only think of the video card.. that would affect the monitor and make the computer shut off..

 overheating?...sounds like you need to capture a geek man....mine recently got away[moved cities]and I'm hunting as well cuz shops are too freakin expensive.. ...

Don't worry Rosie, I wouldn't do anything to hurt him. Been doing some research and looks like I'll need a new graphics card. Probably karma for bad thoughts of the kitty variety.

Yep!! sounds to me like you've fried your video card.

Cheers
GG

Don't forget, I was the first one to suggest the video card. Doesn't anybody really read the postings before commenting??? I know erosiaart did...

LOL!!! :b_funny:

Quote - Doesn't anybody really read the postings before commenting??? 

Not often enuff...I'm often victim of that laziness myself....sigh.. ...

I think it might be the video card LOL

Adult kitty diapers...LOL? Okay. Best of luck Orbital. 8^D

graphic card killed the monitor screen.. (sung to the tune.. video killed the radio star by the buggles..)... and now..don't think if throwing me out of the window when that song gets stuck in you head...   :tongue1:

yup..quest.. adult kitty diapers.. :tongue2:

Video card? I never thought of that! Thanks dyret you are the greatest!
Seriously though thanks Thunderstone for getting back to me so quick.

Can you test it on another monitor, might just be the monitor?

It lives!!!!! Well I took the casing off and cleaned out a lot of dust from the inside including the fans and so far all seems well. No problems after being on 2 hrs at the moment. Keeping my fingers crossed.

At  lot of rock stars can testify to fans beeing a bother

we'll all keep fingers and toes crossed. WHEE!!!!!

Quote - It lives!!!!! Well I took the casing off and cleaned out a lot of dust from the inside including the fans and so far all seems well. No problems after being on 2 hrs at the moment. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Gee...wish I had thought of that.   :biggrin:

Quote - It lives!!!!! Well I took the casing off and cleaned out a lot of dust from the inside including the fans and so far all seems well. No problems after being on 2 hrs at the moment. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Could be an intermittent fan on the CPU or video card, which is why it wasn't working and is now working again.  In my experience when a PC shuts down completely all by itself with little or no warning, it's usually because the CPU overheated and the mobo shuts itself off as an emergency precaution.  Same thing could happen with the video card and its GPU.

The next time you have the problem, boot up with the case off and make sure the fans on the CPU and video cards are spinning.

LH

Random colored garbage text (some blinking) is a sign of an old video card on its way out.  I've seen it also appear on monitors that have a garbaged up setting menu that pops up when the monitor is powered on.  But that is very rare.

You might want to do a chkdsk while it is up and running and then read the event viewer to see if any issues were found.

Way to go Joe.  Maybe my brain simply needs a good dusting. Hope that cures your problem.

Chkdsk ran automatically when I was having the problem the other day. I've just run it again to be on the safe side and it was almost instantaneous with the all clear so hoping that is it for a bit.

back in the day (pre-VGA...I'm dating myself, but how else am I gonna get lucky?...;) this was usually a sign of displaying 'non-video' memory. But, problem solved...

Whenever this happens I always check the video card and power supply in that order.

In loving memory of my crappy old video card which tragically blew up again yesterday. Gone but always forgotten R.I.P.
Yes folks in the end it died a death on me, but just installed a new one so heres to the future.

OK, let's get pumping out some Bryce...just to see how the new card works. ;)

Would love to, but currently working on a commision so I've not got time. I might not even get chance to enter this months challenge.

Well that's a bummer for us...but nice to have a commision...good luck on that.