I have a custom built computer that is about 6 years old. It was running slow but fine up until last week when I defragmented it, then the monitor went out and will not show me anything besides a box that says "Analog power saving mode." I'm not the smartest when it comes to computers but is there anyway I could find the problem myself, or should I take it to someone to look at it? If I take it to someone I need to make sure I know what to tell them because I've had some bad luck in the past with losing an unecessary amount of data. The original builder is no where to be found. Any information will be helpful. Thank you.

Hello jllgrffn, welcome to PCHF.

Please can you tell us a little more about what is actually happening. You say your PC is entering Safe Mode. Before it enters Safe Mode, you will have a menu screen showing Safe Mode as option 3. What happens when you select Normal Mode (option 1)?

The safe mode does not come up where I can choose anything. It comes up in power saving mode only, it doesn't allow me to do anything...

Power Saving Mode? What?

As the PC start's, keep pressing F8 just past the initial post screen when you switch the PC on, and the option screen will appear just before Windows XP would normally start to load.

I tried to push F8 and it did not work. Absolutely nothing happens other than "Analog Power Saving Mode" in a little blue box and then my monitor goes out. Thanks for your help though.

Oh, I'm with you, I was a litle thrown off the the "safe mode" mentioned in the title, no problems. What is the last message you see before the monitor goes blank/power saving message? Does your PC normally beep when you switch the PC on, and is it still doing this?