I have a Fujitsu-Siemens Scaleo P computer (about 5 years old). Pentium 4and running Windows XP. Recently, I have started to get an occasional problem. When using the PC, suddenly the screen will go totally black. If I am printing or burning a disc when this happens, everything stops. I tried reducing the hardware acceleration (under 'Display') but I'm not sure that it improved things.
Today, I noticed another fault; now and again, I get funny patterns on the screen and everything locks up. I think it is the on-board graphics that is causing a problem, but I am not sure. I tried substituting another hard drive (that was previously working perfectly) and the same thing happens. I am therefore pretty sure that it is a hardware problem.
Any ideas please ?

Sounds like graphics to me. What kind of pc do you have? HP, Dell..et You could try your manufacture website to see if there is an update drivers.

Fujitsu-Siemens scaleo P.
The only reason I question the graphics is that, when the problem occurs, the printer stops working.
I am wondering if it is a PSU problem.
And no, can't be the driver, as all was well until recently, and I am now getting ths same problem when using either of two hard drives.
Seems to point to a hardware problem to me, but I can't find where the fault is.
H E L P !

Does this happend after it starts into the OS? Is the compture running for a while? What are you doing when this happens?

The computer could be working perfectly for an hour, then suddenly....black screen.
Sometimes will work pefectly for hours, sometimes fault appears 3 time in one hour.
Seems to be temperature-related, hardly goes wrong at night, when it is cooler.
Yesterday, I checked the fans were working, and cleaned out all the dust, but still getting the problem.

Would you happen to have a video card to install? That way you could forsure pin it to on onboard video. If it is the onboard video they could just pay a video card if you have a slot for it.

If it was the on-board video graphics circuitry that was to blame, would that cause the printer and dvd writer to stop functioning, in your opinion ?

First off we need to know more info about your computer. If you would please run the hardware scan linked to the top of the page and post back the link. How long has this been going on? Have you tried a system restore point?

Now when you say "goes dark" do you mean that it turns off ir is it still running? If it is still running I wouldn't suspect overheating but if you want to find out download and install Speedfan and under options set it to log the temps. Now please download and install Prime95. Run it for 30 minutes to an hour and post back the log. It will be under program files/speedfan. Also please post a screen shot of speedfan. You can also get a can of compressed air and clean out the heatsink.

Have you had anything else such a blue screen? Please right click on my computer --> manage --> event viewer after your next freeze. Look for entries with a red X.

Thanks for your reply.
This has been going on for the last week or so.
I do not believe a system restore would cure things, as the same thing happens when I substitute another hard drive that was previously working perfectly.
When problem occurs, the computer still APPEARS to be running (as far as I can tell), but the monitor goes black and reports 'NO INPUT SIGNAL'.
Occasionally, the problem shows up in a different way...instead of going black, I get funny patterns on the screen and can still see the desktop under the patterns. Nothing seems to function after this has happened however, including the mouse and the keyboard.
I have already cleaned out the heatsinks thoroughly, using an air-compressor.
I will carry-out your other suggestions and report back on this thread.

From what I see from your post is, the onboard video is bad. You might want to search for a new MB or if you have slot (PCI, AGP, PCI Express) it might be cheaper to just buy a video card and try that.

Is this your spec's on the computer:

http://www.phoenix-bmr.co.uk/Scaleo-...cification.htm

If so, you have a PCI express x16 (if you have extra cash you go shop like at Newegg for video card but, it all depends on the PS you have)