[SOLVED] blackouts while trying to boot my os

[crocodilehun]

hi.

first of all, i'm not even sure how to address this problem let alone know what the correct keywords for searching it would be, so i'm sorry if a similar topic exists.

when i try to boot my computer, first (for a split second) i can see my motherboard's logo, then nothing - the screen goes black, few seconds after that (again in a  split second) i see "loading grub..." message, then blackness again, then (split second again) "booting your system", then nothing and then finally (again for a split second) i can see my wallpaper which in an instant goes black and there is nothing after that.

monitor doesn't go off it just goes black. i don't know if the problem is software or hardware related and i am planing on installing a newer version of pclos, but first off all, i would like to get you opinion. and if i try real hard, let's say rebooting my computer for 15 times - i will eventually go through with no blackouts but the problem doesn't go away permanently.


Thanks y'all in advance.

[crocodilehun]

typing "black" in search gave me a few results, but all of them are somewhat related to pclos install. i'm not trying to install new os, mine was working for good two years i would say.

[menotu]

and i am planing on installing a newer version of pclos

What desktop is it? KDE, LXDE etc

If it's been okay up 'til now? have you recently updated your system via Synaptic, can you recall what applications were updated/installed, especially graphic driver.

Did you do a full or partial update?

How often do you update?  (when was the last update prior to the most recent one?)

Lastly, can you boot okay using a LiveCD(DVD) or USB Stick?

If you can boot okay from a LiveCD it may be wise to copy any data/music/videos (and application settings etc) you want to keep to somewhere safe.

[µT6]

you are describing hardware problems

time to open the case and verify psu, video card and ram

also reset bios to see if that helps

the monitor, is it a old crt?  when this happens does it make weird noises?

[crocodilehun]

What desktop is it? KDE, LXDE etc

it's KDE

If it's been okay up 'til now? have you recently updated your system via Synaptic, can you recall what applications were updated/installed, especially graphic driver.

yeah, some 10-15 days ago i think, but everything worked fine until one day when it just didn't. because of that, i do not link my problem in direct relationship with system updates.

Did you do a full or partial update?

i've done full update.

How often do you update?  (when was the last update prior to the most recent one?)

i would say every month or so.

Lastly, can you boot okay using a LiveCD(DVD) or USB Stick?

you are describing hardware problems

time to open the case and verify psu, video card and ram

also reset bios to see if that helps

i'm waiting for weekend to dedicate myself some more to the problem. :/
   

the monitor, is it a old crt?  when this happens does it make weird noises?

no, it's relatively new philips lcd. the monitor doesn't make any noise, it's weird it stays on, but it goes completely black. the power box does some
noise, but nothing serious i think.

thanks for your answers/questions.

[µT6]

the lcd is hdmi, dvi or vga?

does it show a message in the screen when it turn off like no signal or something?

[crocodilehun]

the lcd is hdmi, dvi or vga?

does it show a message in the screen when it turn off like no signal or something?

it's vga. monitor doesn't go off, it just goes black. it's like there's a black curtain that covers everything that's happening in the boot and linux launch process and you are only allowed to see glimpses off it.

i've talked to a friend of mine and he says that most likely it's a motherboard problem or slightly less likely video card... so during the weekend, i'll test those assumptions.

thank you both for your help and concern.

cheers

[DeBaas]

When possible, check with another monitor.
Maybe a backlight problem.

[µT6]

i agree with your friend crocodilehun, if the video card has some electrolitic capacitors it could be fixed by replacing them

if the mainboard is on the same situation, same applies but if it has only solid state capacitors and you don't see anything wrong, apart form dust or not properly placed card in slot, this will be a fun problem to solve, be patient

[crocodilehun]

When possible, check with another monitor.
Maybe a backlight problem.

just now i came back home and when i left, i left my computer running with monitor turned off. tried to put it back on just now and the same problem appeared. after i rebooted the system, again the same blackness appeared, but this time i slammed the monitor's top, and the problem went away called my friend to ask him could the monitor be the problem, and before i could ask him, he said: i've talked to a friend of mine who works at the computer shop and he told me that it's most likely a bad monitor. so i guess the monitor is the problem.

i'll mark this thread as solved and thank you guys once again.

[agmg]

again the same blackness appeared, but this time i slammed the monitor's top, and the problem went away

I like your approach to fixing your problem

[µT6]

i did this in the past alot but with crt monitors, not with lcd, it is easy to break the screen this way

in crt, this works but usually when it goes black, you hear noises

is it a old lcd?  maybe a soldiering point needs to be done again, sounds like a fun thing to do