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Help and Support Forums => Technical Support => Topic started by: Puma44 on June 17, 2021, 04:29:54 PM

Title: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 17, 2021, 04:29:54 PM
Yesterday, while GVing with TrackIR, my monitor would flash a black screen and then back to normal after a second or so.  There was no perceived change in frame rate after the occurrence.  I’ve notice while flying with Rift, a similar black screen freeze occurs but, not with the frequency as TrackIR.  Windows 10 PC.  Yesterday was the first time it happened with TrackIR.  Any ideas what’s going on? 

Thanks!
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: The Fugitive on June 17, 2021, 04:54:51 PM
Your graphics card might be over heating or about to take the big dump.

Open your box and make sure the fan on the card is running and that the fins and blades are clear of junk.

Thats where I would start.
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 17, 2021, 05:00:36 PM
Your graphics card might be over heating or about to take the big dump.

Open your box and make sure the fan on the card is running and that the fins and blades are clear of junk.

Thats where I would start.

Thanks!  That was my first thought.  Hopefully, the graphics card isn’t headed out.
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 17, 2021, 06:21:48 PM
Just started the PC. 

All of the fans are operating normally (one on the motherboard, one rear case, and two front case). The EVGA 1070 fans were motionless when on the desk top. When I went into AH, both 1070 fans spun up and appeared to operate normally.  There’s a light coat of dust (hey, it’s Arizona) on the graphics card.  There’s nothing plugging the vents on top of the 1070. 

Is there a way to diagnose the graphic card and see if it’s on the way out?

Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 17, 2021, 08:37:24 PM
Update:  Plugged in an external fan to blow around the back of the case and under the computer desk.  Spent an hour plus with TrackIR similar to yesterday.  Not a single black screen flash.  Appears it’s a heat issue under the desk.  Yesterday about the same time, it was 117 outside.  Today, only 114. 

Any suggestions for temperature monitoring programs?
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Bizman on June 18, 2021, 01:44:24 AM
There's several options available for monitoring temperature, one of these might suit your needs: https://techguided.com/best-cpu-temperature-monitor-software-windows/ (https://techguided.com/best-cpu-temperature-monitor-software-windows/). For me the biggest issue with such monitors is that they don't show through games as that's when most problems occur. If you choose one with a log feature, that might help some.

Another tool for both monitoring and fighting the video card heat is MSI Afterburner. It works with all Nvidia cards and it's free. With it you can change the graphics fan profile to blow harder at a lower temperature - often they're set to keep silent rather than cool effectively.
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: SNO on June 18, 2021, 06:19:03 AM
Nvidia has a monitoring program that you can set the fan profiles for the video card FYI
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 18, 2021, 09:18:30 AM
Thanks gents!  I’ll look into those. :salute


………and it’s forecast only to 113 today!
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Eagler on June 18, 2021, 09:42:19 AM
Flying straight and level lowers the temps on your video card especially on Monday nights :)

Eagler
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: mikeWe9a on June 18, 2021, 10:04:49 AM
Flying straight and level lowers the temps on your video card especially on Monday nights :)

Eagler
Also only fly with engine power set at about 75% or so.  Cooler and more efficient...
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 18, 2021, 10:07:35 AM
Also only fly with engine power set at about 75% or so.  Cooler and more efficient...

….and then there’s the option of sitting in the tower and enjoying the airconditioning.
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 18, 2021, 10:09:18 AM
Flying straight and level lowers the temps on your video card especially on Monday nights :)

Eagler

I figured someone would come up with that idea.  But, it wouldn’t be near as much fun as getting in the phone booth with you and your 109.
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 18, 2021, 08:34:05 PM
I down loaded the MSI Afterburner and have poked around with it a bit.  Any lessons learned from you that have used it?  I don’t see a need to over clock.  Interested in settings to keep the temps down and extend life span of the 1070.  Looks straight forward but, I admittedly don’t know what I don’t know.  :salute
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Bizman on June 19, 2021, 01:46:28 AM
Overclocking usually increases temperatures so I'd leave that alone. Underclocking may stabilize things but also with that I'd be cautious as you can change the balance to something less desirable. Your decision to keep the clocks as is sounds like a clever choice.

What I've done with Afterburner to fix issues is simply to redraw the fan curve so that the fans start rotating and accelerating and reaching top speed at lower temperatures than default. Simplified it's about moving the original curve a notch up left. Then I set that profile and the entire program to start automatically in the background so you don't forget to switch it on before starting a game.

There's plenty of tutorials about it, here's one: https://powersupplypc.com/how-to-use-msi-afterburner/ (https://powersupplypc.com/how-to-use-msi-afterburner/).

Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: 1stpar3 on June 19, 2021, 03:42:36 AM
Might not be a "thing", BUTTTTTTTTTTT....As i understand it...DX9 works better, for NON-VR? Are you starting AH with DX11, then, using TIR?   I had those "Black Screen Flickers" some months ago.  Other than the fact, these occurrences happened at WRONG TIME(like blacking out from PW, on Final Approach lol), it wasnt much of an issue. Wish I had noted these issues. Would be of use! Recently I noticed an issue with my Connection to Head Set.  As in where the cable plugged in? I have since, pulled a bunch of the cable, as to cause a "No Tug" when craning my neck? Looks funky...but I secured the Cable Slack with Twist-Ties!     I blame Sis  :x    HEAT could be an issue as you noted!

PS: Ignore The Monster Eagler!!!! "Fly straight and level"... :rofl  Like HAIL NAH....he doesnt need us to Handi-Cap for him  :rofl   I rebuke you Eagler...Get thee behind me Satan.. er eh In Front of me Satan! Wait....Now I am confused? Is Eagler the bad guy...or Sis, with her spawn of Satan/ULblizz's instinctual traits? Eh...LOVE THEM BOTH, you included...so no issue :aok  Don your "poopie Suit" Sir!   My Smoke Signal Internet, is up and running again!!!!  :devil  DAMN I MISSED YOU FELLERS!!! :rock
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 19, 2021, 07:53:46 AM
Thanks Gents! Biz man the tutorial is very helpful.  I’ll spend some time and tweak it.

1stpar3, I use DX9 for all of my non VR play and DX11 fo VR.  The black screed flash has never been an significant occurrence until the other day when the outside temperature was 117, and a few random times in VR only before that over the last month.  My computer is on the west wall, it was in the afternoon, and in spite of having the computer a foot and a half from the wall, it appears the outside air was having its way.  The next day, I ran a small fan on the floor to circulate the air along the wall and behind the computer;  no more black screen flashes.  So, it appears heat was the cause.

By the way, it been noted that you and your Pink Spit protege have been AWOL two weeks in a row. :headscratch:  Hope all is well. 

Thanks all for the input and ideas.  I now know a little bit more than. Didn’t know before.  :salute
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: 1stpar3 on June 22, 2021, 04:05:47 AM
Thanks Gents! Biz man the tutorial is very helpful.  I’ll spend some time and tweak it.

1stpar3, I use DX9 for all of my non VR play and DX11 fo VR.  The black screed flash has never been an significant occurrence until the other day when the outside temperature was 117, and a few random times in VR only before that over the last month.  My computer is on the west wall, it was in the afternoon, and in spite of having the computer a foot and a half from the wall, it appears the outside air was having its way.  The next day, I ran a small fan on the floor to circulate the air along the wall and behind the computer;  no more black screen flashes.  So, it appears heat was the cause.

By the way, it been noted that you and your Pink Spit protege have been AWOL two weeks in a row. :headscratch:  Hope all is well. 

Thanks all for the input and ideas.  I now know a little bit more than. Didn’t know before.  :salute
Yup...I figured thats what you did, DX9 for TIR! Just throwing out the casual "Belly Check"! :rofl   I didnt realize how much I missed you guys, until last evening!   Last I heard from her, she was gonna be there?  She has been busy, as the Pet Groomer she works for, has been swamped with "Boarding" for summer Vacations?!!! Thats her tail anyway...I am sitting on mine  :rofl   I missed her!!!  Best "Cut Bait" there is, in AH/AVA :devil
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 22, 2021, 08:37:38 AM
Yup...I figured thats what you did, DX9 for TIR! Just throwing out the casual "Belly Check"! :rofl   I didnt realize how much I missed you guys, until last evening!   Last I heard from her, she was gonna be there?  She has been busy, as the Pet Groomer she works for, has been swamped with "Boarding" for summer Vacations?!!! Thats her tail anyway...I am sitting on mine  :rofl   I missed her!!!  Best "Cut Bait" there is, in AH/AVA :devil

No problem. Never an issue covering the basics, just in case a little buffoonery has slipped in unnoticed.

Now for that pink Spit.  AWOL three weeks in a row by my best recollection.  She’s gonna be peeling spuds for a month when she does eventually show up.  :rofl  Good to have you back in last night and to help with your kill tally.  :salute
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: 1stpar3 on June 22, 2021, 02:47:50 PM
No problem. Never an issue covering the basics, just in case a little buffoonery has slipped in unnoticed.

Now for that pink Spit.  AWOL three weeks in a row by my best recollection.  She’s gonna be peeling spuds for a month when she does eventually show up.  :rofl  Good to have you back in last night and to help with your kill tally.  :salute
Karma/Groot, had 1 of those  :rofl :rofl
Title: Re: Intermittent Black Screen
Post by: Puma44 on June 30, 2021, 09:33:03 AM
Well, it’s back.  Logged on and after a week of play with the MSI Afterburner boosting the graphics card fans and no issues, the black screen flashes came back with a vengeance.  Every 7 seconds or so for a about a second or so.  Monitored the frame rate with no perceivable change. Temperature stayed fairly consistent around 65ish while in the tower monitoring. The black screen flashes appeared like clock work.

I was in MNM for a solid hour on VR and had no black screen flashes.  Last night was with Track IR.   Ideas?