Please Help - Black screen (of death?)

[Preytor]

Yesterday when I turned my computer on I did not get anything on screen.
The computer did boot and everything, it's just that absolutely nothing appeared on screen. (Note: the monitor was receiving a signal since it didn't say it wasn't).

Before I go any further here are the system specs:
Asus P5P800
P4 3.2GhzHT 2MB cache
2x Samsung 1Gig DDR
2x 250GB Seagate barracuda HD's
Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS
Intel LAN card
(temp) TNT2 video card [was a Chaintech 6600GT] AGP

The last time this happend I found out my 6600GT video card was toasted. I'm currently using a TNT2 as a back up till I get a replacement.

I have not had the issues at all since installing the back card - about two months.

Another thing to note is the fact the room at the time was very very cold (heat was off in room).
I thought perhaps the fluid in the Harddrive bearings was too cold or something, not allowing it to spin properly at first. (was hoping for the best).

After trying to boot twice, I grabbed a heater and sat it next to the case on the left (motherboard side).
The heater a is big oil filled radiator type (works well) and the case is black - so I knew it wouldn't take to much (and didn't want to cook the poor thing).
Less then five minutes later I tried again and viola, it worked flawlessly!


I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced this.
Could it just be the cold (not below freezing mind you - but very cold to the touch)?
Perhaps my mobo is starting to go?

If it is my mobo I'd like to find out how I can find out for sure; the last thing I need is to install my new video card later and have my mobo fry it. That'll get expensive in a hurry!
That being said, I have had no reason to believe my mobo fried my last card, I believe the card fried itself.

Perhaps I should just get a new mobo anyways just to be safe?...

The only concern (other than money) about getting a new mobo is this computer uses DDR RAM, not DDR2. It's also AGP.
Finding a PCIe mobo with DDR that is a good replacement for the P5P800 seems impossible so far. < I need to look more though!
Replacing the RAM along with the Mobo, and soon to be purchased card would throw me to far over budget.

Can anyway help me out of this dark mess please?

Thanks
Preytor

[Preytor]

bump

No one?

[liondad]

Think your pc might be damp
when you put it near the heater,
it dryed out and away it run,
when the pc case was warm up,
pc's can do stange things if they get damp,
and theres dust on the mobo/hardwear

[Preytor]

I'm hoping you're right and that is all it was.
I never let the room get that cold (or the PC), and I never will again that's for sure.
Thanks for the reply and feed back