My sister's computer starts up and the monitor starts to come on and goes off,like in a split second,tried other monitors and no luck.
All I know is it is a Dell Dimension 4550. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Greg
Hi irishman1952,
I don't understand what "Dell computer will not stop"
has to do with:
"computer starts up and the monitor starts to come on and goes off,like in a split second"
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That being said (I may just be confused)….
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Such problems often relate to:
Overheating
Faulty RAM
Corrupted Graphic Adapter Controller
Failing Power Supply Unit
Faulty CPU
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The big problem…….. is how to figure out "which" and what to do about it.
1. You can easily check out "heat related" issues by opening up the case to see if it is clogged with "dustbunnies" and to check whether or not the Fans are spinning freely.
(Use a can of compressed air to clean out the inside of your machine)
2. If you "just happen to have" some extra stick of the right kind of RAM, laying around, you could swap them in to see if that makes a difference.
3. That machine most often relies on "onboard graphics" meaning that graphic adapting and display is integrated onto the MotherBoard.
If, however, you do have an AGP or PCI Graphics Card, you could consider removing it and reverting back to the onboard graphics in order to get your Monitor to display, for further trouble-shooting.
Or if you do have an AGP or PCI Graphics Card, and just happen to have a "spare" laying around (or one from another machine that you could borrow and swap in…. consider doing that.
4. See if you can Boot into SAFE Mode. SAFE Mode loads only minimal drivers and few applications, such that it is much less "burden" on the machine. SAFE Mode will usually display in 600X800 which will make your Icons look large and funky, but at least you may get a "display' on your monitor by using the less demanding graphic/video driver configuration.
Then you can do further trouble-shooting.
5. If you can Boot into SAFE Mode, then the first place you want to go is to Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager……… to see if your Monitor driver or your Display Adapter show any "yellow or red" Warnings. If yellow or red warnings are present, then "Remove" the item, and re-Boot to allow Windows to "Find New Hardware" and "install Driver(s) for new Hardware."
6. If you can Boot into SAFE Mode and none of the above is of any help, then try running MemTest86 to check up on your RAM. Let MemTest86 run 2 or 3 cycles. If no errors are detected in that time (about 90 minutes) then your RAM is good. If "any" errors are reported, then you will likely have to replace one or more of your RAM sticks.
7. PSU may cause "general" problems, even in SAFE Mode.
Try running Everest 2.20 - and have a look on the Sensors screen to detect Temperatures and Voltages
You can download Everest 2.20 (free) from MajorGeeks.com, using another machine, then burn to CD and install on the problem machine from that CD.
If you get this far with no success and are wondering about your CPU, there are further tests to run, but you are now in a condition of "diminishing returns" and may benefit from taking the machine to a reputable repair shop.
Best Regards
