Desktop computer blacks out - help?

Hello, I have an Aspire AM3450-UR30P running Windows 7. For the past couple of days, it's been "blacking out"; by this I mean the monitor goes black (like if I unplugged it from the PC and lost the signal), the keyboard lights turn off, and no sound comes from my headset, but the tower stays on (it keeps making noise, like it does when it's on, and the light on the power button stays on). I've had to unplug the power and re-plug to turn it back on. This has happened 4 times now: 3 times while I was watching YouTube videos, and once while using a media player. What could be causing this?

It has also been unable to connect to wireless networks sometimes. When I check, it's like it doesn't have a wireless adapter (it does, it was already integrated when I bought the PC).

In case this helps, I pretty much just Hibernate the PC instead of the normal shut down. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

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vvprad

It seems to be an issue with the video card. You can try reinstalling the video driver on this computer. To do this, go to Device Manager and check the name of the video card manufacturer (say AMD, ATI, NVIDIA etc).

For AMD: http://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Driver/VGA/VGA_AMD_8.860.0.0000_W7x86W7x64_A.zip?acerid=634727532119588069&Step1=DESKTOP,WORKSTATION&Step2=ASPIRE&Step3=ASPIREM3450&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

For ATI: http://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Driver/VGA/VGA_ATI_3.3.1540.22_W7x64W7x86_A.zip?acerid=634952291211235772&Step1=DESKTOP,WORKSTATION&Step2=ASPIRE&Step3=ASPIREM3450&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

For NVIDIA: http://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Driver/VGA/VGA_NVIDIA_8.17.12.6785_W7x86_A.zip?acerid=634534795927426562&Step1=DESKTOP,WORKSTATION&Step2=ASPIRE&Step3=ASPIREM3450&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

Click on the correct link for your video card driver and select Save.
Once you download the driver, open that folder.
Then find the 'Setup' (Type: Application) and run it. Then restart the computer.

Check if it works.

To fix the wireless connectivity issue, change the Power Management settings for the wireless card in Device Manager.

Click start button and type "Device Manager" in the search field and click on "Device Manager".

Click Network Adapters.

Right click on the Wireless card installed and select "Properties". A small window will open up.

Select "Power Management" tab.

You got two checkboxes there.

Then uncheck the option 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power'.

Click Ok. Restart the computer for this update to take effect.

Check if it works.

finlux

Hi bearclaws!

Sounds as if you may have a power supply problem or possibly a motherboard one.

Firstly, if your computer is still under warranty have it checked out. If it is past the warranty, and you're quite technical, see if you can borrow another power supply unit. Swap this out with your existing one and test to see if you have any more "blacking outs". If you can't borrow one, they are not too expensive to buy (but don't go too cheap!)

If the problem still exists, then it is more than likely a motherboard problem. This is not so easy to fix & will need a technician to look at.

Good luck!

bearclaws

Thank you both, I'll try your advice as soon as possible.

bearclaws

wprad: Reinstalling the video driver didn't seem to work. But I haven't had another wireless problem, so thanks!

I'll buy another power supply when I can and have someone check it out.

bearclaws

It's been a while, but I'd like to ask for some more help.

I had a new power supply unit installed, but the problem persists. I suppose the problem lies with the motherboard. Can someone show me what exactly to ask for in a computer shop? I have these hardware specs:

Mainboard : Acer Aspire M3450
Chipset : AMD 880G
Processor : AMD FX 4100 @ 3600 MHz (max : 3800)
Physical Memory : 6144 MB
Video Card : ATI Radeon HD 4250
Hard Disk : Western Digital WD10 EADX-22TDHB0 SATA Disk Device (1000GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : ATAPI DVD A DH16ABSH
Monitor Type : E19T6W - 19 inches
Network Card : Ralink Technology RT3090 802.11n Wireless LAN Card
Network Card : Realtek Semiconductor RTL8168/8111 PCIe Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium Home Edition Media Center 6.01.7600 (64-bit)
DirectX : Version 11.00

finlux

Hi bearclaws

Unless you're going to try for an EXACT replacement of the Acer motherboard (which are difficult to source - ebay possibly), you will need one that is compatible with your processor - a socket AMD A3+

You didn't state whether your RAM is DDR2 or DDR3 - I'd guess it's the latter - so basically you need pretty much any motherboard that is AM3+ and DDR3 compatible. All other parts, including the case can be reused. You may even decide to go for a "bundle", where you get all the correct parts together usually at a special price.

The only problem is Windows!

Because your recovery partition and disks are an OEM, designed specifically for the Aspire AM3450, they will not work with anything else, so you will also need to buy a fresh copy of Windows. The motherboard will come with its own driver disk.

You could ask the computer store to do it all for you, but it may be cheaper to upgrade your PC!

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