Video blacks out occasionally for a few seconds

I have the same thing happening on my XPS 8000, SP2309W monitor, GT220 card.   It didn't start until after I switched from a VGA cable to the DVI cable....will try switching it back and see if that helps.

Identical problem here with a Vostro 430 with Windows 7 64 bit, 1024 MB nVidia Geforce GT220 using DVI out, driver version 8.15.11.8634 dated 20090708.

The driver crashes and (fortunately) restarts now and then. Often when resizing a window or when trying to display the little previews of the items on the taskbar.

I wish Dell would issue a driver update to solve this apparently widespread problem, so we don't have to resort to native drivers.

Thank god, I am not alone.

I got a brand new HP Pavilion with the GT220 and a Dell ST2310 running 64bit Win 7. they are connected via an HDMI cable and I am experiencing exactly the same issue. Suddenly, the computer freezes. Sometimes, when watching a stream on full screen, teh screen blackens and there is a hum from the speakers. Nothing besides a hard reset will work then. I got the latest driver for both the monitor and the video card, but nothing seems to fix it.

!Help!

Exact same problem with my XPS 8000, Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit and GeForce GT220.  I looked at other Google results and found that the old (July 2009) nVidia driver needs to be removed AND the system restarted.  Video will be low grade after the restart, then load the new (November 2009) driver from the nVidia site.  My screen was going black (restarting) several times a day . . . have not had a single incident since.  When I simply "updated" the July 2009 driver with the November 2009 driver, I had just as many (if not more) black screens.  Seems there may be some benefit from uninstalling completely and doing the reboot before reinstalling the nVidia driver.  Hope this works for everyone.

Hey! That looks like a lead.

So, do you just go to Device Manager, choose the nVIDIA and Uninstall driver? Then restart and reinstall the driver after downloading it?

Same problem with XPS 9000 W7 Pro,  8GB, NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 1024 MB.  No problems for 6 weeks  then I installed Adobe Photoshop Elements 8, and the problem appeared.  coincidence? 

It surprises me that none of the “Dell specialists” responded to this topic.

My Dell Studio XPS desktop 435 MT came with a NVIDIA Geforce GT 220. I had at least 18 times a black out of the computer/screen since I replaced Vista Ultimate 64 bit by Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. (half of Dec.2009)

Tried to update the driver by the one available on the Dell site. Followed consequent the installation instructions but with no visible result. Since the update the computer black out twice and restored again. Checking the drivers the computer says that I using the most recent one?

Any suggestions?

I too am surprised that Dell does not have an answer.

With all the posts, I have somewhat resolved the problem.  Uninstalled the Dell included driver and downloaded the new one fromNVidia.

However I did have  2 complete black screens last week.  After a reboot everything settled down again.

I was using IE and browsing..had several windows open and a couple of other programs.

It happens when I have an IE8 window open and at the same time work with some files (small windows). Right when I enlarge the file windows the screen blacks out a few seconds before the computer restores again.

As said this happened 18 times since half dec.

Some guys re-installed Windows 7 without success, some installed an original driver from NVIDIA without any effect, some and I am one of them, installed the latest driver from the Dell site (available for my computer) But the XPS still blacks out now and then.

I want a working computer without all the surprises and wonder why "Dell specialists" are not responding to this thread..??

Same EXACT thing happens to me AshwinMudigonda

My problems persist.  I thought the crashes were related a game, Borderlands, but I have run some benchmark tests - including the Video Card Stability Test listed in another thread here http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19265200.aspx.  These crash my system as well.  The video will either degrade where I have spots on the screen or other artifacts or the system freezes up completely.

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling various NVidia drivers and found no solution.

I am currently on the phone with Dell Tech Support.  Their only option is to replace the card. 

They are mostly hung-up on the fact that is crashes during the gameplay; but I explained it happens when running several video benchmark apps.  My concern is not that I can't play Borderland; my concern is a spent $2500.00 on a machine that will run basic windows functions but anything requiring more intensive video support with fail in the future. 

Feels like I bought a lemon.

Yes.  As I said, it worked for me.  Not a single crash for a week now.

I also had not a single crash for ea perod of 5 days after re-installing the latest driver but this morning the computer blacked out again, for the 21st time. Opened IE and clicked on favorites.

I don’t recognize a pattern. The computer reports a video hardware error (a livekernelevent) Everything mentioned and recommended in this thread I have done. Still the same problem occurs.  Dell service……?????  

Found a younger Bios version (dec 2009) on the Dell website for the 435 MT. Should improve the compatibility of….? We will see if the flash will do the trick . Keep you informed..