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Question

Monitor keeps losing signal.. Whyy?!?!

Apr 5, 2017 9:19PM PDT

Just did a fresh windows upgrade from 7 to 10 a few days ago and the number of times the monitor has lost signal is...well lets just say its gotten to the point where I'm starting to lose some sleep..

Odd thing I've noticed is how it will stay on as long as I'm typing or moving the mouse... I know what some of you are thinking...but yes I have checked my power options in the control panel. II've also tried using a different monitor and cable and unplugging everything but the monitor, keyboard and mouse to make sure its not any of my peripherals.

I highly doubt its my gpu driver...if anyone has any advice or a solution I'd be eternally grateful to you.

Windows 10 64bit
8GB RAM
Processor is Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 2.66 GHz
(kentsfield Socket 775 LGA)
Monitor is DELL P4317Q
GPU: Two GTX 960's

Discussion is locked

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Its Official...
Apr 6, 2017 4:41PM PDT

Monitor loses signal mostly when I stop using the mouse and keyboard... I must have been on the computer at least an hour before I stepped away from it.

I agree...same thing has been lingering in my mind since I found out there isn't much you can upgrade on a dell mobo.

Worst mistake is buying a PC from DELL especially if you're a gamer.

Monitors on the other hand is a different story.

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I wouldn't say that but that's a new clue.
Apr 6, 2017 4:55PM PDT

Look for ANY sleep or power saving setting and turn it off.

I had 2 HP C2Q machines (now down to one) and they were OK. Once the PSU was kicked up you put in a decent GPU and gamed. Since the machine has a standard size board, the next step was to replace it but I didn't as the OS on these are W10 Pro so that's worth keeping.

To speed them up, we changed to SSD. Not shabby to see a machine over a decade old boot and get on the internet in under 30 seconds.

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True
Apr 6, 2017 5:06PM PDT

The power settings are the first thing I checked. If that was the case I shouldn't have any problem getting the monitor to turn back on when I tap on the keyboard or move the mouse but it doesn't.

I mean...having the option to upgrade and replace parts easier would have saved me some head aches throughout the years but you're right about the ssd thing. My PC is a XPS 720... mostly got it cause of the case looks impressive and its solid metal and very sturdy.

Now boots to any program in under 10 seconds.

Kind of been thinking about trying this out with a xps case..and spray paint the whole thing jet black.

https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/dell-xps-720-mod-btx-to-atx.2240071/

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what keyboard and mouse are you using?
Apr 6, 2017 6:28PM PDT

wireless? Some older computers only wakeup using PS/2 input.

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Long shot.
Apr 8, 2017 11:03AM PDT

And these are plugged into the motherboard USB ports?

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Long shot
Apr 8, 2017 2:23PM PDT

I'm using a USB hub for the wireless mouse but sometimes use the wire cause I have to charge it, the keyboard I usually connect it to the front of the pc.

I did unplugg the hub a few days ago to make sure it wasn't any f my peripherals cause I have had a problem in the past with one though.

Still need to get home and try a different mouse and keyboard tho.

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Power Options
Apr 6, 2017 5:12PM PDT

Create a power plan is set to "Balanced"

Chose when to turn off display is set to "Never" for both display and computer.

Advanced power settings:

Hard Disk
Turn off hard disk after: (0) Never

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Keep digging.
Apr 6, 2017 5:24PM PDT
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OK, how about the cheapest trick in the book?
Apr 6, 2017 4:57PM PDT
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Ummmm
Apr 6, 2017 5:38PM PDT

I thinkkk its time to start that new post I mentioned Grin

The one thing that's been keeping me from doing a new build, besides waiting to see what NVidia launches after their 1080 gpu is choosing the right time to do the mod to atx on the xps 720 case or finding a case that can compare to it. Its not the most versatile gaming case like some out there but in my opinion the design of it is much simpler and effective than 95% of all the metal/plastic cases out there.

I'll have to do one last search for cases on the net and if I don't find one its time to get serious on that btx to atx mod.

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BTX. Had one. As I found what I was in for
Apr 6, 2017 5:39PM PDT

It went out on freecycle. Never looked back.

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Thanks for the Encouragement :P
Apr 6, 2017 5:53PM PDT
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Answer
Did you check SLI?
Apr 7, 2017 4:47PM PDT

The one thing I didn't see mentioned in any of the posts is the little SLI connector strip that goes on top of the two GPUs to connect them together. If it's loose or has developed a bad connection that could produce the symptoms you mentioned.
Another rare possibility is either the mouse of keyboard is somehow causing the problem. Have you tried a different mouse & keyboard?

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Sli checked
Apr 8, 2017 11:07AM PDT

Thanks for the reply, I actually took out the Gtx 960 the display was connected to so I'm only using the other card for now and the problem is still occurring.

Also wanted to add when I was looking at the power options and checking the ssd I did a check on the sound card as well and as soon as it started checking the display turned off. Weird right... so I decided to uninstall the sound drivers.

I haven't tried a different keyboard and mouse tbh although I have had problems with the keyboard drivers since I bought it.... I'll have to try it.

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Answer
I'll Just Take a Stab at This
Apr 7, 2017 5:33PM PDT

If I'm way off base, I apologize. I had all sorts of monitor problems when I went to Win 10. Part of it was the monitor "drivers". If the device manager says something like "Generic PNP Monitor" then you really should go to the manufacturer's website (for the monitor) and make sure you have the latest (driver or INF). always make sure you have the correct bit type (32 vs. 64) and that, at least with this Samsung monitor, there was a choice of digital of analog. In fact, I'd go over the GPU (GTX) website to make sure of the same thing.

Something else I found. You may not be able to change much with the basic power event handlers. There was an advanced link in there that still had some things set to sleep. I hope any of this helps. I would definitely suggest going through the device manager and check EVERYTHING and watch dates on drivers. If the dates are not recent, they may not be useful for Win 10.

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Could be possible too..
Apr 8, 2017 11:12AM PDT

There could be a chance the drivers didn't install correctly when I installed the from the disc when I got it so I'll have to go to the dell website and do a clean reinstall for the P4317Q monitor.