Acer Aspire M3970 Desktop malfunctioning on HP monitor.

Computer uses an HP 2509m monitor via DVI cable.

Worked perfectly during last startup and is up to date with all the drivers and the operating system. Today, I needed to change the date of the computer, after doing so, the computer started to malfunction and fail as the screen flickered (3-5 second intervals) between all black and this static screen (see Static Screen photo). I couldn't access anything, not even the mouse or keyboard shortcuts, but I could access the monitor's menu system to change the brightness/contrast and so forth. So I assumed it was the computer's issue. I hard resetted it by holding the power button on the aspire for a couple seconds to shut down. Then I booted it back up (I even unplugged all the cables and power outlets and waited a couple minutes before trying 5 more times to eliminate any connection errors) but what happens next is best depicted in the following Sequential photos (see the set of photos after the first photo). After that happens, the screen starts to flicker (3-5 second intervals) between a black screen and the Static Screen.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Static Screen

Sequential (set of photos)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/no/arre4raj703z.jpg

Accepted answers

All comments

billsey

That type of display failure is usually the video card/motherboard. As you see the on screen menu isn't affected, so it's not likely to be the monitor. Does your system have a discrete graphics card or is the graphics built into the motherboard?

ray1216

billsey said:

That type of display failure is usually the video card/motherboard. As you see the on screen menu isn't affected, so it's not likely to be the monitor. Does your system have a discrete graphics card or is the graphics built into the motherboard?

Oh, that makes sense. And yes, I would have assumed it would've been the computer tower malfunctioning. The monitor still works as a display for screen mirroring.

I'm not quite sure, I wasn't able to open up the computer tower to check out the motherboard (the metal casing is purposely bent shut even with all the screws off). I bought it straight from a computer specialist store brand new about 6-7 years ago. Nothing too special in terms of hardware. Everything should still be as stock.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for the reply billsey!

billsey

Typically if the video is on the motherboard the video connector(s) will be near the USB ports, audio jacks, ethernet ports etc. on the back of the computer. If you have a discrete graphics card there will be video connectors in one or two of the card slots.

ray1216

billsey said:

Typically if the video is on the motherboard the video connector(s) will be near the USB ports, audio jacks, ethernet ports etc. on the back of the computer. If you have a discrete graphics card there will be video connectors in one or two of the card slots.

Hey Billsey, I basically gave up on trying to fix it since November, but now I've gotten some motivation for the new year.

The photo attached at the bottom is the back of my computer, so I'm assuming I have a discrete graphics card.

I guess the only way to fix this is to replace the video card slot?

Recommendations are welcomed.

Thanks for the feedback and happy new year!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/dl/lwnzsja6b5kx.jpg

billsey

If you physically remove the graphics card the onboard video ports (those two with the 'this port is disabled' sticker) will usually be enabled in the BIOS. If you pull the card, peel the stickers off and unscrew that black plastic cap you should be able to verify things are working using either the VGA or HDMI ports. Once you are up and running that way we can look at replacing the graphics card. You probably don't want to buy a new card only to find the rest of the computer is toast...

ray1216

billsey said:

If you physically remove the graphics card the onboard video ports (those two with the 'this port is disabled' sticker) will usually be enabled in the BIOS. If you pull the card, peel the stickers off and unscrew that black plastic cap you should be able to verify things are working using either the VGA or HDMI ports. Once you are up and running that way we can look at replacing the graphics card. You probably don't want to buy a new card only to find the rest of the computer is toast...

Alright, I'll try to do that. Thanks Billsey, for helping me out!

I'll update this post when I find something out.

billsey

Yes, please update us!

ray1216

billsey said:

Yes, please update us!

Hey billsey! So I opened up the computer tower and took a look at my motherboard. I found where the graphics video card is, but I don't think it's removable. I've tried to locate all the screws and I couldn't find where it was being held down at. I pressed the little latch by the blue coloured video card holder and it still wouldn't budge. Any advice as to what to do now? Really dreading having to go with my last option of going into a specialist...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/vo/jhy2ue5pqk5g.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/xy/nbaxua3rirn1.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/on/7dylzbz6fsj1.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/kk/os15n4f0pad7.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/n2/2cmry6nkhpwg.jpg

billsey

In this picture:

you can see a screw holding the metal plate at the back of your card in place. Remove it and then push the plastic clip out of the way and it should lift out.

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