Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach3 under Vista => Topic started by: GHiggs on March 31, 2020, 12:04:59 PM

Title: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: GHiggs on March 31, 2020, 12:04:59 PM

Hi there,
I'm running a windows 7 computer with stand alone video card, been running his particular computer for a couple of months now.
but all of a sudden today after about say ten minutes of running a jobs with mach3, the operation stops cutting and a second later the computer screen goes black and will not respond to keyboard or mouse. i have to unplug the computer, reboot and start all over again only to have it happen again 10-20 minutes later.

I'm wondering if it is my Video card packing it in?

Thanks
Glen

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: Overloaded on March 31, 2020, 01:14:31 PM

Hi Glen  :D
Is it hot where you are ? dusty ?
Do you have good air circulation through your electronics ?
I've had similar happen before. Blew everything out and added needed circulation and all was well again.
Could just be heat related.
Just a guess,
Russ

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: GHiggs on March 31, 2020, 03:58:29 PM

Hi Russ,
It’s about 74 deg in the shop but yes dust is a big factor I’m cutting tons of wood.  I blow out the computer inside daily. Now that it been run in for a while I’ll open the case up and see how hot it is. last time I checked this morning the video card wasn’t even warm

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: joeaverage on March 31, 2020, 05:17:19 PM

Hi,
it couldn't be as simple as a power saviing feature of the monitor could it?

Craig

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: GHiggs on March 31, 2020, 06:25:06 PM

Quote from: joeaverage on March 31, 2020, 05:17:19 PM

Hi,
it couldn't be as simple as a power saviing feature of the monitor could it?

Craig

Hi Craig, no because the Mach3 actually stops dead in its tracks just seconds before the screen goes blank. Plus I have everything turned off no power save no screen turn9ng off no hard drive hibernation....

I opened the case up after some run time and the video card other then dusty was not hot just warm. I’ve brought it to the house to play with and test all night.

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: ZASto on April 01, 2020, 03:52:36 AM

Usually it's not a video card that makes problem, it's a processor.
Check the cooler on processor, thermal compound state, ...
When processor overheats it shuts down the computer.

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: GHiggs on April 01, 2020, 08:00:08 AM

Quote from: ZASto on April 01, 2020, 03:52:36 AM

Usually it's not a video card that makes problem, it's a processor.
Check the cooler on processor, thermal compound state, ...
When processor overheats it shuts down the computer.

Ok thanks I’ll pull the cooler off and have a look and reapply thermal
Compound.

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: GHiggs on April 04, 2020, 08:52:05 AM

Pulled the cooling fan from the processor and cleaned off the thermal paste.
Couldn’t find my little tub of paste, so used some thermal sheet instead. The computer has been running well the last couple of days. I also made a filter box to house the computer.
It serves two purposes, keeps the dust out of the computer and also cleans dust out of the shops air. The box houses a 20 x 24 pleated furnace filter and has two squirrel 🐿 cage blowers to pull the air through.

Glen

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on April 04, 2020, 09:52:00 AM

Excellent idea Glen.

Title: Re: computer screen goes black when running mach3
Post by: ZASto on April 04, 2020, 10:05:41 AM

What I told you :)