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[Closed] Is My Monitor Crashing my PC?
I have an older PC a Dell Inspiron 660. Thanks to the generosity of folks here I upgraded the RAM to 8GB and the Operating System to Windows 10.
I decided to upgrade my monitor to a Dell 27" and ever since my PC crashes a few times a day. Just wondering if I also need to up my graphics card due to the increased screen size?
I don't think screen size would be a factor, a higher screen resolution / refresh rate would put more demand on resources.
If thats a 4K monitor I don't think either of the GFX options it ships with (looking up on dell page) will be particularly happy at that resulution so it could be over heating.
It's a Dell S2721HS Monitor if that makes a difference?
It’s a Dell S2721HS Monitor if that makes a difference?
OK thats 1080P so thats my theory out!
Put the old one back on, does the problem go away?
Same cabling? What are you using?
The only thing I can think of is that the graphics card is a bit flaky and you are now running a higher resolution than before so it’s affecting the whole system?
The monitor itself shouldn’t affect the PC though, there isn’t any feedback back to the PC normally.
if you added/changed ram this could also be the issue.
If you go into system:display: and scroll down you can change the resolution. The lowest would be 600/800. That is going to put a very low load on the graphics (and look like shit). Worth trying to see if anything changes. I suspect it wont change anything but will rule out the new higher resolution.
I suspect its the graphics card failing (assuming you have one). The good news is that graphics cards from 5/10 years ago sell for beans on ebay as the technology has moved on so much. You should be able to get something of slightly better spec and working for little money.
Do as cougar says. Put old monitor back on and see if problem goes away. That will be a big clue
As above, but just one thing to check for the hell of it,
right click in an empty space on your desktop, and select display settings, then scroll down to the bottom and look for 'advanced display settings' and see if it's set to 60hz or 59.9hz, if its not, click the bottom option "display properties for display (1)" and a new window will pop up. if not 60hz, change it to 60hz.
Ok - changed it to 60hz. The stop message I get when it crashes says pointer. Trying to work out what that means as well.
crashes says pointer. Trying to work out what that means as well.
is it a laptop? might be a mouse pad driver issue, just a wild guess. Does it work ok if you plug a mouse in?
if your geting a proper blue screen error code, it would be usefull to know what it is.
The stop message I get when it crashes says pointer
I think the pointer referred to in this case may be a memory address, not the mouse...
Take the RAM out and reseat it. You could run a memory tester like MemTest but I've never set much store by it.
If it doesn't happen with a different monitor, try changing the HDMI cable. Have seen very weird behaviour with faulty HDMI cables in the past.
Not a laptop. Thanks to all for the suggestions. Ironically now waiting for another crash to get the exact error code!
Folks I checked with the old monitor and no issues. Looking perhaps like the graphics card. Uneconomical to buy new so looking at ebay used.
Numpty on IT things. I was wondering what I need to check for compatibility? I think the slots are PCIe and I want something that will run on power below 500w. Anything else spec wise I would need to know?
Still think that trying another HDMI cable and updating the graphics card drivers before buying a whole new graphics card would be a simpler and easier thing to do, but it's your money.
I checked with the old monitor and no issues
If another monitor is working ok...
check a new cable like @flaperon mentioned
If you do buy a graphics card (new), unless gaming just get the cheapest, something like this:
But a ten year old second hand basic graphics card should do the job. This type of graphics card are normally passive (no fans) and very low power, so power supply shouldnt be an issue, and very cheap, as they are pretty much useless for gamers and bitcoin miners alike.
If its integrated graphics, it could be using more RAM with the newer screen.
So, to me along with the rest of the story this also suggests RAM issues.
Thats the confusing thing though, if the new screen is 1080p, that's very standard, and it wouldn't matter how large the screen is, 1080p is still the same number of pixels that need to be computed whether it's a 5inch screen or a 75 inch screen.
Perhaps, but in any case test the ram. I think Windows can do it, but memtest (I use memtest86) will rule the issue out.
Ok folks update.
Ran the windows memory diagnostic. It says there's a hardware problem. Updated my BIOS. Still happening. Cable is the brand new one which came with the monitor.
@mattyfez this card doesn't look too bad if I knew it was definitely compatible!
Cable is the brand new one which came with the monitor.
Which is even less reason to trust it.
So it could be:
faulty system RAM
Faulty graphics card
Dodgy cable
Should really try to rule out faulty system RAM and monitor cable before buying a graphics card
What is the 'old' monotor that seems to work without issue?
Yes, the old smaller Dell monitor which came with the PC.
I will check if there's another HDMI cable lying around.
Ok, cable changed and still happening.
Ran the windows memory diagnostic. It says there’s a hardware problem.
There's no point investigating anything else until you've fixed that.
Does it have 2 sticks of RAM? might be worth removing one and repeating the diagnostics, and then with the other stick.
Listen to Flaperon.
Go here, download this, flash a USB pendrive with it, boot from it. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
I followed the process recommended by Mattyfez and it's the original RAM which came with the PC which is showing the error. Many thanks to Mattyfez.
Thanks. 4gb Crucial RAM ordered.