(HELP) Monitor turns off while gaming (PC STILL ON)

[noobguy97]

I've been checking existing posts but none talk about the exact problem I have.

Recently after installing Saints Row IV, right after trying to start it my monitors turn off while my pc is still on since the led is on and the sound of the game still plays! After making a hard reset, I made a disk check, a memory check and nothing wrong! I decided to test it out on another game, it worked fine the first time, played for 1 hour without problems, checked the temps while playing and the gpu got to 70 max but it always went back to 65, 66 so I thought it was saints row bugged or something and uninstalled it.

The second time I played the other game, after some minutes I decided to turn off the game and it happened again but only after pressing the quit to menu button, not while playing.

I checked event viewer and the only bad thing was the hard resets I did

So my conclusion is that it doesn't happen while playing but when starting or leaving a game.

Before Saints Row IV I didn't have any problems like that.

P.S:It's a laptop, I play with low settings in all games, I did a stress test to the gpu for only 2 minutes and it got to 72º, didn't do more cause I'm afraid of doing any damage.

Specs (It's shitty):
Windows 8.1 64 Bits
Intel Core i3-4005U 1.70GHz
Nvidia Geforce 840m
6gb Ram

 

[Frag Maniac]

Does the monitor shut off completely, or just go into sleep mode?

If sleep mode, check your power settings in Windows, and make sure your monitor is not set to go into sleep mode after X amount of inactive minutes. I have mine set to never go into sleep mode. Only thing I do is set the screen saver to blank (black screen) and engage after 5 minutes of being inactive.

 

[noobguy97]

Does the monitor shut off completely, or just go into sleep mode?

If sleep mode, check your power settings in Windows, and make sure your monitor is not set to go into sleep mode after X amount of inactive minutes. I have mine set to never go into sleep mode. Only thing I do is set the screen saver to blank (black screen) and engage after 5 minutes of being inactive.

It shuts off completely, I did check that out tho and for awhile now I have it configured to never go to sleep mode.

Thanks for trying to help btw.

 

[Frag Maniac]

Have you checked to see if PSU is OK, normal temps, normal voltage, no extreme voltage fluctuations?

Also check the Monitor cable. Some monitors are supplied with cheap cables that are either defective or can fail easily.

 

[noobguy97]

Have you checked to see if PSU is OK, normal temps, normal voltage, no extreme voltage fluctuations?

Also check the Monitor cable. Some monitors are supplied with cheap cables that are either defective or can fail easily.

Besides gpu, hd and cpu temps I haven't checked the rest. I'm really not experienced when it comes to that kinda stuff. I guess there's maybe a program I can use to check that? Btw it's a laptop, sorry I forgot to mention that. This really confuses me because I have it for 2 years now and this never happened and besides the game install, there isn't any other big change or update that could mess with my drivers or no accident of letting it fall and damaging something, that's why I'm so confused.

 

[Frag Maniac]

CPUID HWMonitor is a common and still pretty good free tool for checking voltages and temps on most parts. It will not check PSU temps, but you can often get a good idea if PSU is too hot by feeling or measuring with a thermometer the air coming out the exhaust vent. Unfortunately laptops are different animals though, and PSUs aren't necessarily placed near the exhaust vent.

In fact laptops are generally problematic when it comes to ventilation and dust buildup. For that reason many whom game with them use laptop coolers under them, and try to keep them away from lint and dust. That means don't lay them on your lap because it's warm and your clothes shed fibers. Also never ever game with the laptop laying on a bed or sofa. And never ever smoke near them, tobacco or pot. The tars in the smoke mix with the dust and make it black and it sticks bad to the pc parts.

I really don't recommend laptops for avid gamers, unless they have money to burn and can buy one of the rare few models that have adequate ventilation and cooling for it, but most don't.

 

[noobguy97]

CPUID HWMonitor is a common and still pretty good free tool for checking voltages and temps on most parts. It will not check PSU temps, but you can often get a good idea if PSU is too hot by feeling or measuring with a thermometer the air coming out the exhaust vent. Unfortunately laptops are different animals though, and PSUs aren't necessarily placed near the exhaust vent.

In fact laptops are generally problematic when it comes to ventilation and dust buildup. For that reason many whom game with them use laptop coolers under them, and try to keep them away from lint and dust. That means don't lay them on your lap because it's warm and your clothes shed fibers. Also never ever game with the laptop laying on a bed or sofa. And never ever smoke near them, tobacco or pot. The tars in the smoke mix with the dust and make it black and it sticks bad to the pc parts.

I really don't recommend laptops for avid gamers, unless they have money to burn and can buy one of the rare few models that have adequate ventilation and cooling for it, but most don't.

I have a cooler, not that good tho but I guess it works in giving some space to "breathe". I don't smoke, I never use it on my lap or any place other than my secretary (you must be thinking why did I buy a laptop if I don't use it's main portability feature, kinda stupid I know).

About the "laptops are not particularly good for gaming" issue you are completely right, I ain't gonna be able to get the most out of a game in terms of perfomance & quality in a laptop, especially with this specs, but still I think I should, at least, be able play certain games even if it means 10fps or a really low quality without my screen shutting off. That's why I'm so confused, because I really take good care of it and never had a problem in 2 years until now. Anyways, I'm going to check HWmonitor.

Thank you again for the help.

 

[Frag Maniac]

Even if you "take good care of one", which I quote because that means different things to different people, you can still get enough dust built up after two years to warrant taking it apart and cleaning it out.

 

[noobguy97]

Even if you "take good care of one", which I quote because that means different things to different people, you can still get enough dust built up after two years to warrant taking it apart and cleaning it out.

Yeah, you are completely right. But if it was dust problems wouldn't the temps be a bit higher? I mean gpu 70º & cpu 60º max while playing is not that bad right?

I know even If I get this sorted out, sooner or later I will have to take it apart and clean it. You think that might be the solution?

 

[Frag Maniac]

No, I'm not saying that is necessarily the problem in this case, just something you need to think about with laptops.

 

[noobguy97]

No, I'm not saying that is necessarily the problem in this case, just something you need to think about with laptops.

Yeah, thanks for the advice!

I already installed HWMonitor and dont know what should I look out for, anyways there doesn't seem to be anything wrong but as I said, I'm not experienced with this kinda stuff.

 

[Frag Maniac]

Mostly look for voltage amounts and fluctuations. Especially +12v. It should stay very near or preferably just over 12v.

 

[darkones]

I had the same problem, you have to watch out for monitor adapter. Usually monitors are using 12V adapters, if you have 18V adapter or more it will overheat capacitors and will cause repeadetly turning off and on or turn off for longer time. Solution is simple, just see back of your monitor, you will see white sticker behind, it will say how much voltage is needed, just take that one adapter and enjoy!