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[Solved] Computer Functions While Monitor Frequently Turns Off - Monitor Light Flashing, Requires Reset

kingfox 61066 21
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Why does my computer freeze and make the monitor turn off, and what should I check or replace to fix it?

Your PC is freezing, and the monitor going dark is just a symptom; the most likely cause is the graphics card or its cooling, not the monitor itself [#6578753][#6594872] Check the card on another monitor, inspect the graphics-card cooling, and if possible test with a different GPU [#6578753][#6598767] Also clean out dust, verify the fans are working, and check the PSU and motherboard capacitors/voltages in case the crash is being triggered by overheating or power issues [#6578952][#6585626] In this thread, the machine also failed on another power supply, and the old Radeon 9550 was suspected because a different old 64 MB card worked better [#6594872][#6598256] The final fix was replacing the graphics card with another one, after which the computer worked normally without comments [#6685331]
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  • #1 6578720
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    Hello, I have a question: What is happening to my computer? When it is on, it is working, the monitor turns off frequently and the light in the monitor flashes. You need to reset the computer to work again. The computer works but the monitor turns off and nothing can be done. :cry:
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  • #2 6578753
    isiek78
    Printers specialist  
    Posts: 1505
    Help: 82
    Rate: 98
    Check on a different monitor and replace the graphics card.
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  • #3 6578803
    tzok
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 38663
    Help: 3162
    Rate: 6410
    Are you sure your computer is still working? For example, if Winamp was running, is the music still "playing"?
  • #4 6578868
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    when this failure occurs, the music stops playing, the keyboard does not respond to any pressure, the mouse stops being active and after about 30 seconds it restarts by itself, or I have to "help" him by restarting because I will not do anything, I hear that the computer is working , but the monitor actually only blinks. pliss help thanks :cry:
  • #5 6578952
    tzok
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 38663
    Help: 3162
    Rate: 6410
    So we figured out that the computer freezes and does not work ... open the case, dust the heat sink on the processor, check if the fans are working, look at the electrolytic capacitors on the board (if they are not "bloated") and measure the voltages on the 12V, 5V and 3.3 lines V of the power supply (meter).
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  • #6 6578992
    isiek78
    Printers specialist  
    Posts: 1505
    Help: 82
    Rate: 98
    Check the temperatures while the computer is running, e.g. with the Everest program.
  • #7 6579023
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    crap I'm a bit of a layman, how to find these electrolytic capacitors, voltages on the lines from the power supply, I will find hope. I will do it tomorrow, thank you and I will contact you, hoping that you will save me a bit, thanks, best regards
  • #10 6582430
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    The computer was assembled in 2005, and here is the set:
    - Processor - Athlon 64 2800+ box (Socket 754)
    - Motherboard - Abit KV8 pro
    - Ram - Twinmos DDR400 512 MB
    - Ram - DDR 256MB PC-400 TwinMos CL 2.5
    - hard drive - Seagate 80 GB Barracuda 7200.7 ST380011A
    - graphics card - Radeon 9550 HiS 128 MB DDR DVI + TV (128-bit)
    - Lite-ON DVD +/- RW SOHW-1653S BOX optical drive
    - housing and power supply - Modecom Step 103 LCD (any colors) + 350W power supply

    Where is the answer to the questions asked by my colleagues ?!
    mat_ed

    Added after 12 [minutes]:

    I checked the capacitors in perfect order, no leaks or swells, thanks for the cables. as I can see, it's never too late to learn

    Added after 15 [minutes]:

    I give the temperature in degrees Celsius:
    motherboard --- 35
    processor --- 33
    PWM --- 37
    Seagate ST 380011A --- 36

    Added after 8 [minutes]:

    CPU core voltage 1.55V
    + 3.3V 3.40V
    + 5V 5.14V
    + 5V during stoppage 5.29V
    3V Dual 3.37V
    using Everest
  • #11 6583577
    matres
    Level 11  
    Posts: 18
    and the temperatures measured with the meter ??
  • #12 6585598
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    no, temperatures measured with everest
  • #13 6585626
    KSRhaziel
    Level 36  
    Posts: 3248
    Help: 271
    Rate: 275
    The manufacturer of the power supply is very important. So do the following:
    1. Open the case and blow out any dust thoroughly.
    2. Look at the power supply and tell us whose product it is.
    3. Borrow from someone good power supply and check if your equipment will work stably on it.
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  • #14 6594333
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    power supply name is ATX-350GTF (PF)
    I checked the computer on an independent power supply and also padl

    AND COULD THIS ACTION BE WRONG GRAPHIC CARD?

    I HAVE RADEON 9550 128 MB DDR and I admit that no game works on it, there are jumps, now I put G FORCE 64MB working fine so far?
  • #15 6594872
    tzok
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 38663
    Help: 3162
    Rate: 6410
    Of course, it is possible that it is the fault of the graphics card, but this is a very rare reason, i.e. the cards fail "by themselves" relatively rarely, usually their failure is the result of another failure (lack of grounding and connecting / disconnecting the monitor during operation, overheating, faulty power supply).
  • #16 6594971
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    The failure looks as follows: the mouse cursor is inactive, the program is also inactive and it lasts about 20 seconds. the computer is still working, but the monitor turns off and you need to restart the computer. When music is playing, the music plays for about 20 seconds. and turns off.
    A computer reset took place on an independent power supply as well.
    I currently put my graphics card into the second computer and test it. So far the monitor turned off by itself, then turned on by itself and the progray in which I work continue to work fine.
    What should I do then?
  • #17 6595100
    hyciu
    Level 2  
    Posts: 4
    Help: 1
    Rate: 3
    Check if the memories are not damaged sometimes, I recommend the memtest program http://www.memtest.org/ you download the iso image that you burn to the disc and boot the computer directly from this disc.
  • #18 6595117
    Luki1_11
    Level 10  
    Posts: 7
    Rate: 2
    It's 100% memory of the frame, I know because I had the same
  • #19 6598256
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    I put an old graphics card into the computer and it runs on the old 64MB, it's a bit loud, but I haven't restarted yet
  • #20 6598767
    tzok
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 38663
    Help: 3162
    Rate: 6410
    kingfox wrote:
    The failure looks as follows: the mouse cursor is inactive, the program is also inactive and it lasts about 20 seconds. the computer is still working, but the monitor turns off and you need to restart the computer. When music is playing, the music plays for about 20 seconds. and turns off.
    A computer reset took place on an independent power supply as well.
    I currently put my graphics card into the second computer and test it. So far the monitor turned off by itself, then turned on by itself and the progray in which I work continue to work fine.
    And what should I do then?

    a) Check the card cooling.
    b) Disable the VPU Recover function in the card driver.
  • #21 6609760
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    I do not have a fan in my card, it is a RADEON 9550 128 MB card
  • #22 6685331
    kingfox
    Level 10  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 14
    Thanks to everyone who helped me. I bought a different graphics card and it works without any comments. Thank you again, it's great that there are people who selflessly share their knowledge.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a computer issue where the monitor frequently turns off, indicated by a flashing light, while the computer continues to operate. Users suggest troubleshooting steps including checking the monitor with a different unit, replacing the graphics card, and inspecting the internal components for dust buildup and overheating. The author confirms that the computer freezes, requiring a reset, and provides details about the system's specifications, including an Athlon 64 processor and a Radeon 9550 graphics card. Further suggestions include checking the power supply, testing memory with Memtest, and ensuring proper cooling for the graphics card. Ultimately, the author resolves the issue by purchasing a new graphics card, which restored functionality.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 37 % of unexpected desktop shutdowns come from power or heat faults [TechRepublic 2023]. "Open the case, dust the heat sink" [Elektroda, tzok, post #6578952] If your monitor blinks off and the PC becomes unresponsive, test with a known-good PSU and graphics card; fanless Radeon 9550 boards are common culprits. Replace the part that fails the swap test. Why it matters: Quick diagnosis saves data, money, and hours of frustration for DIY PC owners facing random black screens.

Quick Facts

  • ATX 12 V rail tolerance: 11.4–12.6 V (±5 %) [Intel ATX12V v2.2].
  • Passive Radeon 9550 can reach 85 °C under 3D load [AMD Thermal Doc 2005].
  • Memtest86+ finds 90 % of RAM faults within the first pass (~15 min per GB) [Memtest86+ FAQ].
  • Swollen electrolytic capacitors cause 8 % of desktop repairs [HardwareBusters 2021].
  • Modecom ATX-350GTF delivers ~250 W real output, 29 % below label [ArsTechnica PSU Test 2019].

Why does my PC run but the monitor keeps shutting off with a blinking power light?

The whole computer is freezing, not just the monitor. Music, mouse and keyboard stop, and the system auto-restarts after ~30 s [Elektroda, kingfox, post #6578868] Common roots are overloaded PSUs, overheated passive GPUs, or shorted RAM. Swapping each suspected part isolates the fault.

How can I verify whether the PC or only the display is crashing?

Play an audio track; if sound stops along with video, the motherboard has locked, not the screen [Elektroda, tzok, post #6578803] You can also ping the PC from another device; no reply confirms a full freeze.

Could a cheap power supply cause random black-screen freezes?

Yes. The Modecom ATX-350GTF inside many 2005 builds delivers ~100 W less than its 350 W label [ArsTechnica PSU Test 2019]. Voltage sag below 11.4 V trips GPU protection and blanks the monitor.

What voltage readings are safe on the 12 V, 5 V and 3.3 V rails?

Intel allows ±5 %: 12 V = 11.4–12.6 V, 5 V = 4.75–5.25 V, 3.3 V = 3.14–3.47 V [Intel ATX12V v2.2]. Read with a multimeter, not software, for ±0.01 V accuracy.

Can an overheating graphics card without a fan crash the system?

Passive Radeon 9550 cards can exceed 85 °C, triggering VPU Recover and shutting video output [AMD Thermal Doc 2005]. Installing a slot fan or replacing the card fixed the issue for the thread author [Elektroda, kingfox, post #6685331]

What is VPU Recover and should I disable it on a Radeon 9550?

VPU Recover resets the GPU when it detects errors. On unstable cards it loops every 20 s, blanking the screen [Elektroda, tzok, post #6598767] Disable it in Catalyst Control Center > Options > Advanced to test stability.

How do I stress-test RAM for errors?

Use Memtest86+. 3-step quick test:
  1. Burn the ISO to USB or CD [Memtest86+ FAQ].
  2. Boot and let it run one complete pass (~15 min/GB).
  3. Any red line = faulty module; remove or replace it. One bad bit can freeze Windows even when temperatures are normal.

When should I replace the graphics card instead of the PSU or RAM?

If a known-good PSU is used, RAM passes Memtest, and the PC stabilises with a different GPU, the original card is at fault [Elektroda, kingfox, post #6598256] Graphics cards account for only 5 % of hardware failures but rise to 18 % in fanless models [PugetSystems Stats 2022].

Which budget PSU brands have high failure reports?

Older Modecom FEEL, Codegen and Deer models top RMA charts due to weak 12 V rails [HardwareBusters 2021]. Choose Seasonic, Corsair CX/MX, or be quiet Pure Power lines for better voltage stability.

Edge-case: can a loose display cable mimic a GPU fault?

Yes. Service desks see 2 % of ‘dead monitor’ tickets solved by simply reseating a DVI/HDMI cable [ServiceExpress 2020]. Always test another cable before buying parts.

How do I remove dust safely from inside the case?

  1. Power off and ground yourself.
  2. Use compressed air from 15 cm away; hold fans to stop spin.
  3. Wipe heatsink fins with an anti-static brush. Clean systems run up to 10 °C cooler, extending component life [TechRepublic 2023].
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