Expert: Chris Morrison - 11/15/2007

Question
QUESTION: I'll try to describe my senercio: My computer has a blank screen screensaver that was on and then I heard the computer screen shut off, later when I went to use the computer I'm guessing the computer was frozen as the screen would not come back on and the lights on the keyboard would not change but the mouse light would respond.  So I turned the computer off then when I turned it back on the monitor had a "check cable box" that flashed for a few mintues before the screen shut off and went blank.  I've replugged the cable but to no avail.
My question is what is wrong with the computer, is it the monitor or is there something wrong with the cpu?
Also when I turn the computer on, the buttons on the keyboard do not respond.

ANSWER: Sound like you may have lost your video card. There are many different types so if you are not sure which type you have you may want to take it somewhere to be repaired. If the video card has gone the computer will not respond correctly, hence the keyboard not responding.
If you want to replace it yourself I can assist you with that also.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you.  Ok, my next question is how much will it cost to be repaired or does it need replaced? Also The mouse still responds to movement( it lights up), but obviously I can't see the screen to know anything else

ANSWER: Most repair shops charge at least 18.00 per hour. Some offer a flat rate for diagnostics or they will do it for free. If you are not good with computers this may be the way to go to find the exact cause. Once you know the cause its pretty easy to fix on your own.

If you would like me to help you tear it down and troubleshoot piece by piece i can do that. We can find the exact root and i can direct you to the correct part you will need.

If your not comfortable with doing that, you have to take it in to be repaired.

Let me know

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I fist want to thank you for taking the time to help me with this problem, I indented to get back quicker but haven't had time to get to a computer.
Anyway, I think I could repair it myself, depending of what is involved. I don't know what video card my computer has, but the graphics card is: ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI-E with 128mb DDR video memory, if that helps.  I would like to just buy the cheapest card that will still make my computer run, then maybe later upgrade.

So my question is what do I do to troubleshoot the problem and the steps to repair it?  If I'm missing any information that you need, please tell me what I need to do.


Answer
Total tear down:
-open the case and pull out the video card and memory chips.
-make sure when you are doing theis you are not doing it on carpet - try to do it on a wood surface as static will kill all your components - and wear sneakers to minimize static.
-After you remove the above mentioned parts, disconnect the hard drive cable and CD/DVD rom cable from the motherboard.
-close up the case and plug it in. Now turn it on. It should beep alot.
-open it back up and put the memory chips back in. make sure the side tabs are straight up (this should happen automatically when you push thew chips into place). Be aware they only fit one way.
-close it up and start it. Again it should beep alot.
-open it back up and put the video card back in. close it up and boot up.
-you should now have no beeps
-hook it back up to the monitor, keyboard ect.
-boot up and see if you get the cable error again or if you get anything on the screen.
- to rule out the monitor you may want to see if you can borrow one or try this at someone's house so you can check using their monitor also.
- if you get anything on the screen - eventually you should get a boot disk error or no operating system found.
- thats a good thing. If you get that you can open the case and reconnect the hard drive and cd/dvd rom drive.

Let me know how it goes.