My computer has a Ati radion video card:its 3years old:it just started happening,as far as i remember,the screen seems to shut down:cable disconnect symbol comes up and screen goes black:computer and any programs running,keep running:I hit standby button and i hear programs and computer stop:I hit button again and screen comes out of stand(and computer)but screen is messed up ie desktop is like gobbledegook:it stays like that for v.short time and goes black again.
So,I go into safe mode:control panel:display and run thru' most:then back to mode selection and go into vga mode,control panel:display:and run thru' most settings;I restart and go back to normal mode;computer runs fine and then goes to black screen..........

drew, April 2006

It's the inverter within the monitor, bin it, it's not worth repairing.

colin, February 2012

Have you tried updating your drivers? ATI have a very good website which allows you to download the specific driver for your graphics card. Alternatively, check your settings on the card and make sure you don't have the screensaver set to go off at the same time as your harddrive.

Darren, April 2006