Whenever I try to boot my old computer running Windows Me, a message displays on the monitor ‘NO SIGNAL. 12 PRESET MODE MAX. 16 USER MODE’. As a result, I cannot use the computer. In the past I could press the Reset button and the monitor would work correctly, but lately this has not worked. The computer is also difficult to turn off, and I usually need to hold the on/off button for 5 seconds before the computer will power-down. Can you suggest how I can get the computer working, as I need to transfer data from this computer to my new computer.

The error message being displayed on screen is actually from the monitor itself, as opposed to the computer. The message says ‘No Signal’ which indicates that there is either something wrong with the monitor and it cannot correctly receive the signal being transmitted from the computer (e.g. the monitor cable is damaged), or there is something wrong with the video card on the computer which is not sending the correct signal to the monitor. It will be difficult to determine the actual cause of the problem without testing some scenarios.

Before starting anything, check the monitor cable is firmly connected on both ends to the monitor and the computer. Many times I have seen similar issues where the monitor cable has been loose and not correctly connected. Assuming this is not the cause of the problem, continue with the following procedures.

In the past, you have reported the problem was temporarily resolved by restarting the computer, which indicates there is potentially a problem with the computer. For example, after a restart the correct signal is sent to the monitor, allowing the monitor to display correctly. The only real way to test whether this is the problem is by connecting another monitor to the computer to see if the problem continues. If so, the issue is with the computer itself (most likely the video card). You commented you need to get data off this computer to load onto your new computer. Even if the new computer came with a new monitor, I would not use the new computer monitor as the test monitor, since there could be a small chance there is a hardware fault that would result in your new monitor being damaged. So, I suggest you find another (older) monitor to test this theory. Once you have the results, this will indicate whether the monitor or computer (video card) is the problem.

In a related question, you commented the computer is difficult to turn off and usually requires the power button to be held for 5 seconds. This is actually a feature on all recent computers. New computer cases do not have an on/off switch which is directly connected to the power supply (to cut the power when depressed). Instead, the power switch on the computer case is a button connected to the computer motherboard. When the button is depressed, a shutdown command is sent to the computer to initiate a shutdown. Pressing the button while Windows is running causes the computer to begin shutting down as normal and eventually turn-off once the shutdown process is complete. In your case, you have been pressing the power button to turn off the computer when the monitor does not work. Even though the monitor isn’t working, the computer is likely still running correctly and is booting (even though you cannot see anything, as the monitor does not work). You have probably been pressing the button during the Windows boot process. However, nothing will happen since Windows has not loaded and the button press is not processed. That said, there is a fail safe built into the power button system. Should the power button be depressed for approximately 5 seconds, this will cut power to the computer and turn the machine off. This is in case the computer has frozen and does not respond to the normal shutdown command. In your case, since Windows is loading when the button is pressed (and does not register the button press) holding for 5 seconds causes the computer to switch off.