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Free utility programs to detect issues with my machine are software or hardware issues.

Is there any free utility programs which will clean my pc (i.e. make it stable, faster, etc.) and also to detect why im getting the following issue (if software or hardware issue):

When I restart my machine it seems to power, but the monitor doesn't display anything and its on light flashes on and off. However sometimes the machine works and sometimes it does'nt.

Sometimes it will just crash and shutdown and the monitor will not display anything.

Do you know what causes this, i've updated my antivirus and run it and it hasn't picked up anything?

Thanks.

SOLUTION

amiurchaudry

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MrAruba

surf to http://www.memtest86.com/ and download the memory tester. There 's a great possibility that you have bad ram.

Callandor

I think your power supply may be failing - swap another one in and see if it helps.

willwatters

ASKER

i tested the monitor out on a different pc and it works although it didnt work the first time i tried it. Any ideas?

willwatters

ASKER

The problem was my graphics card. Is it possible to fix my graphics card and how? If not what is the best graphics card to buy?

Callandor

The best graphics card will depend on what you use your pc for and what kind of video card slot you have. If you have an AGP slot and are a gamer, the nVidia 6600GT is probably the best performer and best value card. If you have a PCI-e slot and play games, the best card will probably be an nVidia 6800GT. For 2D applications, you can go for far less, ie, a Radeon 9000.

willwatters

ASKER

how do I know what my video card slot is?

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Callandor

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