In reply to a post by ian72:

If the sound was still going then the PC hadn't shut down. It suggests you have a monitor or graphics card problem as it seems it is the screen going off rather than the PC.

Thanks Ian. Am I correct in understanding that the monitor and graphics card could still run OK in Safe Mode regardless of such problems?

Don't think the specific driver loads in "Safe Mode", just standard MS vga driver.

Have you tried updating your graphics card driver?

Could also be that a lot of graphics extensions won't run in safe mode and therefore whatever is tripping it out is not actually operating.

Agree about the drivers - would be the first step. My mentioning monitor is unlikely after the reminded that it is ok in safe mode (had forgotten that part of the thread).

In reply to a post by broadband66:

Don't think the specific driver loads in "Safe Mode", just standard MS vga driver.

Have you tried updating your graphics card driver?

Did this three weeks ago but have just thought of something else. If the monitor is the cause why would it work in Safe Mode?

In reply to a post by WatchMan:

In reply to a post by broadband66:

Don't think the specific driver loads in "Safe Mode", just standard MS vga driver.

Have you tried updating your graphics card driver?

Did this three weeks ago but have just thought of something else. If the monitor is the cause why would it work in Safe Mode?

Oops, just read Ian's comment re: Monitor in Safe mode. Thanks for suggestions though. I am now seriously considering a new graphics card but not sure if any would be compatible with my HP s3240uk desktop. It would have to be low profile and have a small bracket to suit.

If you are confident it is worth trying the graphics card then I could recommend talking to Novatech. They have some very knowledgeable guys and should be able to point you to a card that would fit your machine. Be aware though that this is a likely cause rather than a definite cause so it may be that a new card doesn't fix the issue.

Have you got a CEX (2nd user) near you. They usually have various types of graphics cards.

In reply to a post by ian72:

If you are confident it is worth trying the graphics card then I could recommend talking to Novatech. They have some very knowledgeable guys and should be able to point you to a card that would fit your machine. Be aware though that this is a likely cause rather than a definite cause so it may be that a new card doesn't fix the issue.

I have borrowed a low profile card from another more recent PC which seems to have done the trick so am almost certain this is the answer. Will update you with results of my tests with a new card.

Excellent, good you could borrow one to prove it before paying out cash.

Post deleted by Sadoldman