Re: Virus that blanks the screen for a second ? Win98SE

From: Tedd Riggs (T_Riggs_at_MSN)
Date: 01/03/04 

Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2004 17:21:59 -0800

Hi Phil,
I know, its not exactly the easiest thing to figure out. Everything
(Win98SE), Sony drivers, BIOS, you name it is up to date. I would love to
upgrade to a higher OS, but Sony only has partial drivers and only for
Windows ME and that is not to much of a step to change for. Its a 500 MHz
Pent III Processor, 18 GB HD (11 GB Free) and 256 MB Ram ( that's as far as
you can go on this one). I have deleted most all of the "extra's" Sony gives
you as I never used them and have gone thru the Registry pretty closely and
it seems very clean. This screen thing is so fast, its almost like a
redirect on a web page. At first I guessed hardware, but it always blanks
for the same amount of time and no extra processes are running, I killed
almost everything off ad just left the basics to keep the unit running and
it still does the same thing. But its totally random, I can go hours and not
have a problem, then I can get hit two or three times in a matter of 5 mins.
On one occasion when it did blank, I could see that about a 3 inch by 5 inch
window popped up for a fraction of a second, but I could not read it.
So..about the only thing left for me is I will pull the cable that connects
the display and wiggle it and see if that has anything to do with things and
also clean the connector contact that the LCD connects to. But...I am not
too hopeful on that one.
Anyway thanks for your comments !
Tedd 

-- 
Tedd Riggs
"Phil Weldon" <notdisclosed@example.com> wrote in message
news:PkjJb.16342$lo3.15273@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Well, there are so many variables that only you know.  This really is a
> problem that very likely only you can solve.  Just keep in mind that just
> because you have set the hibernate and standby functions to function only
by
> keystroke, that does not mean that is the actual case.  After all, you
have
> the desktop icons set to a specific size also.
>
> The variables you haven't shared include the Sony Viao specific software
> modules (and the patch state of each of these), the patch state of Windows
> 98SE, and various utilities that are the usual suspects for strange
> incompatibilities: antivirus programs, scheduled defragmentation and
backup
> programs, 'crash guard' type programs, etc.
>
> I am not familiar with the specific Sony Viao you have, but, if it has a
> fast enough processor and the memory/hard drive have enough capacity, this
> might be a good time to do a clean install of a newer operating system
> (checking first to be sure that Sony provides drivers for a newer
operating
> system.)  I'd be willing to bet that would eliminate the problem.  Of
> course, there might also be a simpler solution; though that 'simpler
> solution' might require MUCH more work to find that the brute force
approach
> of a clean install of a newer operating system.
>
> Good luck.
>
> -- 
> Phil Weldon, pweldonatmindjumpdotcom
> For communication,
> replace "at" with the 'at sign'
> replace "mindjump" with "mindspring."
> replace "dot" with "."
>
> "Tedd Riggs" <T_Riggs@msn.C0M> wrote in message
> news:OkXO7PO0DHA.3436@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > Phil,
> > I have tried about every option I know of. Running only off battery or
> only
> > AC, makes no difference and the blank-outs are just at random, sometimes
> > when I am typing, others when I am just reading a page. I downloaded all
> new
> > screen drivers and deleted the old, changed screen number of colors and
> > resolution and the hibernate and standby are set up without timers, they
> > require a keystroke. I would have guess software issue, but I have not
> added
> > anything new to the unit in several months (except virus, spybot
updates)
> > Thanks for your email thou !
> > Tedd
> >
> > -- 
> > Tedd Riggs
> >
> > "Phil Weldon" <notdisclosed@example.com> wrote in message
> > news:BO5Jb.30031$Pg1.26648@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> > > The fact that the icons are a different size when the screen is
restored
> > > indicates that there is most likely a software compatibility problem
and
> > NOT
> > > an impending LCD screen failure.
> > >
> > > Perhaps the symptom has something to do with hibernate or standby
modes.
> > > Perhaps, when you are using Internet Explorer or Outlook Express, a
> longer
> > > period than normal occurs between key presses or mouse actions.  Are
you
> > > operating on battery, or AC; and does that make a difference?
> > Investigating
> > > in this direction is more likely to find the problem than checking for
> > > infections.  Try Sony diagnostics (if any), and read the manual
section
> > that
> > > covers power handling, especially hibernate and standby.
> > >
> > > -- 
> > > Phil Weldon, pweldonatmindjumpdotcom
> > > For communication,
> > > replace "at" with the 'at sign'
> > > replace "mindjump" with "mindspring."
> > > replace "dot" with "."
> > >
> > > "Tedd Riggs" <T_Riggs@msn.C0M> wrote in message
> > > news:%23eBUitN0DHA.3656@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > > > For the last few days on my Sony Vaio XG-9 notebook, when I am in IE
> or
> > > OE,
> > > > the screen will go blank for about a 1/4 of a second, I have tapped
> > around
> > > > the area of the screen driver and this does not cause it and have
> > noticed
> > > > that even when the screen blanks, the LED's for power, Harddrive etc
> are
> > > not
> > > > effected.
> > > > Also now twice it has locked up (its been a long time for any lock
ups
> > on
> > > > this unit) and nothing other then holding the power switch down will
> > > restart
> > > > it. Also, now when I restart it, the Icons above the START button
are
> > > always
> > > > large, I have always checked them to be small.
> > > >
> > > > None of this has happened ever before, but the last three days, its
> been
> > > > going on alot. I am hoping its not a display about to go. I have
Zone
> > > Alarm
> > > > Pro always on and Spybot with the latest update and practice "safe
> > > surfing"
> > > >
> > > > Any ideas out there ?
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Tedd
> > > >
> > > > -- 
> > > > Tedd Riggs
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>