HDD & Graphics

[rjc7394]

Can a hard disk error/failure cause a black screen (while PC running)? I don't know if my graphics card or hard disk is causing the crash. My hard disk has failed some diagnostic tests but I don't trust my graphics card.

[Kov-Ice]

What are your system specs? What is the specific error message you receive? Can you be a bit more specific with what happens during the crash, and are you able to reboot?

[rjc7394]

I don't get any error message, just a flicker and black screen. I can reboot no problem. Sometimes happens when I'm using the computer or when I'm away from computer and computer is running. Sometimes the control panel for graphics card will tell me that the card isn't responding so the acceleration will be reset and black screen is just momentary, PC doesn't crash and I don't need to reboot but I'm still not sure what the problem is. My PC is on 24 hrs/day and this may happen maybe 5-8x/week. I've disabled all graphics acceleration but crash still occurs. I ran two different diagnostics tests (Maxtor, Belarc) on my HDD and failed SMART test. I have Xp SP2, ATI 9500 Pro, Maxtor Diamond 40 GB 7200 RPM HDD, ABIT VA-10 mobo, Samsung DVD+RW, 512 MB RAM, 350W PS. PC is not 1 yr old, except for HDD.

[glc]

If the hard drive is failing SMART tests, that's an indication of possible impending failure. I'd back up your stuff immediately and run the extended tests with Powermax - be prepared to replace the hard drive. I've seen many hard drives fail SMART, and out of all of them, I've only had ONE that did NOT die fairly soon afterwards - and that one needed a zero fill to clear the errors. Get the hard drive sorted out, if you still have problems, we can look at the video card.

[rjc7394]

Thanks much for the advice.