Strange issue when my PC takes a knock

Jamin280672 · 23 Jun 2017 at 13:23

Bit of a strange problem, that ive never really figured out myself, im just wondering if anyone can shed any light on.

Most of the time my computer is working fine without any issues, however, sometimes when I knock it with my foot, or I have to move it slightly to hoover out the fan filter and bump it down a little too hard, the monitor will go black, the blue light is still on to state that the monitor is still on, its just a black screen, and no matter what I try, I cant get the screen to come back on unless I simply hit the restart button, does anyone have any idea why this might happen ? ive checked for loose connections etc, and cant seem to find anything wrong.

My specs are:
MSI Gaming Pro Carbon X370, Ryzen 1700 @ 3.9ghz 1.375v, 16gb G.Skill Trident Z RGB 3200mhz @ Full speed, 2 x Samsung Evo 960s 250gb nvme, Sapphire RX480 Nitro+ 8gb on a Thermaltake PCI-e x16 riser cable (still happens if its plugged directly into the slot), Creative sound Blaster Z, Super Flower Leadtek Platinum 1000w Modular PSU, USB External DVD, and USB External 3tb Hard drive, finally Custom Water Cooling.

djbully · 23 Jun 2017 at 14:57

I have had a similar issue in the past. Not with monitor going off, but bumping the case caused strange things. It turned out there was a small screw that got caught up in the gap between m/b and the case. So when it moved it was rubbing some connections and causing a short circuit. Do you have a rattling sound if you shake you case (gently!)?

something daft already!! · 23 Jun 2017 at 14:59

Yeah, it is bound to be something lose, maybe a screw or even a cable connector. The only way is to check everything is secure inside.

Jamin280672 · 23 Jun 2017 at 16:35

Damn, I guess i'll have to strip it down and double check everything as I put it back together, Thanks guys

WantoN · 24 Jun 2017 at 07:56

I had something similar, it ended up being a sloppy connection on the USB3 header between my case (Carbide Air 240) and motherboard (MSI Z97M) I fixed it with a little tape in the connector to make it bind tighter.

If I moved or knocked it, it wouldn't turn on, or the screen would go black. You might want to look at the pins for power on, reset etc too.

Jamin280672 · 24 Jun 2017 at 13:25

Well I think I found the issue, looks like it was the HDMi cable from my GFX card to the monitor, I brought this so called high quality one from ebay about 6 months ago, gold plated connectors, sleeved cable and heavy duty connectors, I knocked it again last night whilst plugging the one that runs from my TV into the 2nd HDMi port so I could stream a movie to the TV, and the monitor went black again, I thought, great opportunity to try and figure out what was wrong, I fiddled about with it and this time it came back on, so today, ive been down to maplins and been ripped off for a replacement HDMi cable, so far ive not managed to get the screen to go off again.