specs, below

Here is a link that might be useful: specs

Do you remember roughly (exact would be better but.......) what you were doing when 'you clicked something'? Any chance this was anything to do with enhancing the quality of the picture at all? Seems perhaps you may have set the video capabilities beyond what can be accommodated by the computer.

Other than that perhaps the onboard video has failed. This can be overcome with a new video card, your computer according to the specs Zep kindly provided has a PCI Express x16 slot. The lowest price I saw at a popular Canadian store was $99 (cheaper in the US) but depending how old the computer is and your desire to spend or not spend you could use a PCI video card. These are not as fast but can be had for $30 and up. Note. If you replace the onboard video with an add on PCIe or PCI card you will need to adjust the BIOS which is a simple enough task.

You did take the precaution of checking the power and signal cables are securely attached at both ends of course.

You may have set the display setting to a much higher resolution that your monitor is not capable of. Reboot your computer and go to SAFE MODE (I think press F5 or F8) and enter SAFE MODE then reset the resolution back to a lower one.

I never go into those places, I just clicked on reply to a post each time it happened and I tried another mouse. I checked all connections, twice. Coralred, I can't work in safe mod without a monitor.

Thanks Zep for the specs, if the weather clears I will go shopping for a PC. I hate using the laptop top and I am having withdrawals. LOL

I usually donate my elec equipment to The Lutherand Gently Used store, but can't do that without a reformat, but will cross that bridge later. Thanks for you help. One more question, is there an easy way to connect this laptop to my printer?

I know you can't see but boot to safe mode anyway power down an just keep hitting the f8 key as if you are expecting to see a display i am curious about that. See what happens try it a few times..

I tried that and it does nothing. I think it's my computer, because when I turn it on, I hear it wind up, then it stops. I believe it should make some noise when it is booting up.

hmmm, and you also got a black screen b 4 now i wonder if the computer is even booting to the operating system.

What is the printer model # and what type of connection is on the printer cable usb or the big regular printer connector type.

When you start this computer do you get the POST beep? This is a single beep before the splash screen appears.

If you get the POST beep you might consider using a floppy disk with Windows 98 boot capability and try booting from the floppy - assuming your computer has a floppy slot. If not you could burn the Win98 startup to a CD because your computer would probably be set to look for the CD before the hard drive.

Here is a link that might be useful: Win 98 boot disk

zep, I think you may be right. I called a repair man that asked me to describe the problem. Afterward he said, it sounded like a power problem to him. He assured me that no matter what, the charge would only be $85 to diagnose the problem and if it's what he thinks it is he can repair it in the hour. I like this computer and the XP system, so it will be worth the $85. to find out what the problem is.

I think you should ask at least 3 person with the same expertise to arrive in a a better solution. I also experience that kind of problem and its kinda difficult if you think you almost do everything but its not working. Have you checked on the power supply or maybe the video card or memory? But I doubt it, You should check your power supply. $85 is a bit higher but if he can assure you that he can fix the problem and with a warranty of how many weeks. You should ask him.

Good ideas gardenlover,

But,

For some reason i don't think the user is comfortable going into the pc an re- seating the video card if there even is one, you really can't check the power supply only to see if the fan is spinning that's the fan on the back of the computer. The ram it's very possible a ram problem too if you are comfortable re-seating ram you can try it.

$85 to diagnose the problem I think that is reasonable, that's a difficult problem to diagnose over the phone an the internet. Remember you are not paying $85.00 for the guy to tinker around you pay him cause he/she knows where to tinker.

The young man who came to the house said everything is running, so he thinks it the video card. Mine is built into the mother board but there is a slot for another one. Don't come back with "that's not right" because I may not be using the right terminology or understanding the process. The part is $95 plus the $85 for the hour, so I am going ahead with it. I don't know any experts except the kind that just came out, so I'm going to take a chance on his diagnosis. Another expert would charge another service call. He made me aware that if he is wrong, the part is not returnable. It's like the old cars, replace the fuel pump, then replace the carb., etc, until you stumble on to the problem. LOL

When I first got into pc's, I bought a new one every two years to keep up on technology so never had this kind of problem. I like XP so well I really would like to keep this one. I will update you on this. He said I have a very nice computer he was surprised to see what was inside.

Didn't work, so will buy another PC. He took out the expensive parts, like ram which he was impressed with, the hard drive and the burner. Maybe I can find someone who can use it. His boss thought this would work, when it didn't, he figured it was a partially fried mother board. He also said the hard drive could be put in the new computer and I would have access to the stuff on it and sounded like I could use it for storage. I don't need that if I buy a comparable PC.

So are you saying that even though the new video card did not work you had to buy it? That is very unethical - or I misunderstood your post. You say the tech who came said the computer was working so how come afterwards the boss suggests the motherboard might be gone?

I feel for you stargazzer because you do not have the expertise to fix this or know anyone capable of doing it for you. This is why I like to offer help when and where I can. Not to deprive a tech from earning a living but to help folks like yourself and all the others who come to forums like this one. Sadly with an issue of this type we cannot diagnose from a distance and offer constructive help.

Owbist, thank you for your kind thoughts. Yes I had to pay for the part because it was opened and used. I knew it would be that way before hand, but thought I would take a chance. It is bad when you don't have anyone who can help you, but that's life. The worst part is I love electronics but have no one in my circle of friends and acquaintances that can discuss it with me. All they do is email and surf a little. I bought a HP p6130y. I had him look at the specs link that zep posted so I would be sure to get a comparable one. I got a lot better one than my last one and a couple hundred dollars cheaper. I have been downloading and installing the protection I need and updated it. I loaded firefox and the ad ons I like. Tomorrow I will tackle loading my games and my stuff on the external hard drive. I feel like I am complaining, but I love every minute of it. Thanks to all who tried to help.

Might want to make a set of 'Recovery Disks' fairly soon. You're only allowed to make one set I think. So if you have a problem, or installing something screws you up,, you'll be able to reinstall windows and everything to factory fresh as new.

Read howTo in your manual. It's usually pretty simple. Probably want to use some better quality DVD's when making them, so they hopefully will last forever as it may save your day .. someday down the road.

I am going to order them from HP, I did that last time. They were only $15. I don't trust myself to do the other right.