My computer has had a melt down. Literally. Kerry was using it last night, the screen went blank. She came out and got me to tell me that it was doing something strange and making a funny noise. When I got there all I could smell was burning electronic doohickeys. The box seemed to be functioning, fan was running and when I ctrl alt deleted it started to reboot. But the monitor was in standby mode. You reckon its a video card or something more terminal? If so, this is the 2nd video card in 5 years. The first one didnt stink out the room though. It just beep beep beeped me when I booted up.

Why did it happen on the first day back at uni! I suppose its better now than in 6 weeks when I have 3 assignments and 2 mid session tests to worry about.

If it beeps 3 times when you boot up....
sounds like the video card.
did it have its own fan and heatsink?
Most of them do now, but when thay fail(Dust usally) FZZZZT....
Bugger.
Might be time to install some more fans at the top to suck the hot air out.
Dont forget to place some in the bottom to blow air in...

Not much detail there, but here goes:

(just a few things 'cos even cheap video cards don't blow verey often.)

Are you running at refresh rates your monitor is capable of?

Is the monitor old?

Does the monitor itself have a smell?

Is it a Packard Bell?

OK the verdict is monitor itself has died. When I tried the spare 10 yr old monitor it worked but all shuzbutted. But then I tried it with my daughters monitor it was OK. I dumbed down the settings to 640 x 480 and went back to the 10 yr old one and its fine. errr well I can read it. So will be saving my pennies for new monitor.

Going from 17 inches to 14 is a big shock. An extra 3 inches goes a long way. .... hmm I could take that statement a long way too but will leave it up to the girls.

175 will get you a new 19'' thats pretty cheap try gamedude.com.au