My computer turns itself off when video is on. Usually it lasts for about 10-15 minutes, 35 on a good day and then it shuts down. It is a desktop, so the cpu/tower shuts down while the monitor stays on. I took it to a repair shop and the guy there said he ran videos for 3+ hours and had no problems with the computer. I then took my monitor in and it stayed on for around 25 minutes which at the time was a new record. He said that it could be the surge protector that I was using. So when I got back I switched surge protectors and this worked for about a week until the same thing started happening again. I went out and bought a new surge protector and this also hasn't solved the problem.

The computer cpu/tower (whatever you call it) is new but I am still using a monitor that is about 9 years old. Could something in the monitor be causing the computer to shut itself off while playing video even though the monitor doesn't lose power?

I should note that I have tried several different combinations of the way I plug everything in and this doesn't help. Currently, the monitor is plugged into an extension cord which runs to an outlet on the other side of the room.

This wouldn't be such an issue but I am taking on online class for graduate school so I am unable to watch the lectures.

Any help or assistance would be appreciated and I can offer landscaping/agronomic suggestions for any advice.

1/18/2011 1:11:50 PM

May sound like I am trolling, but its an honest answer:

Go to Best Buy -- buy a new monitor (cheap/whatever) -- see if it fixes your problem. Whether it does or not, you have within their return period to return it with no restocking fee (There used to be restocking fees, however they are now only on special order items).

1/18/2011 2:47:08 PM

Yeah that was what I was thinking about doing. I figured that it could be something with the monitor because of the age. I just didn't know if a problem with the monitor would cause something like this to happen.

Thanks.

1/18/2011 6:29:59 PM