I am having problems viewing stuff, getting a message that the display driver failed, and that it's been recovered, and then screen goes black.  I have zillions of memory on my laptop, so it's not that.  I've found the AMD driver fault finding screen but it is way over my head.  I can't afford to replace this computer,, I bought it when I lost my job 3 years ago.  It's a quad processor whatever that means.  Help anyone?

If it is 3 years old I'd imagine it does NOT have zillions of memory i.e. RAM. My current computer has 12 GB of RAM and my previous ones who had 8 GB of RAM did both have problems with not enough memory to cope. However this sound more like a problem with the screen -ave you tried downloading a new driver?

Sounds as if the screen has gone. I had to change my old monitor screen for the same reason. Can get reasonable flat tv/pc screens now.
Or you can restart it in safe mode and try again. Excellent step by step help on you tube if pop make of pc in

Here is a video guiding you how to fix it if you have windows 7 or vista - and microsofts instructions on how to fix (only applies to Windows 7 os or Vista though so if your computer is old, a MAC or running of xp I don't think it will help):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfz4EprkBvQ

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2665946

It's the Windows 8 release.  I have 866GB free of 910GB.  And installed RAM 8.00GB with 7.47GB usable.  All the above means nothing to me.

> ave you tried downloading a new driver

Marianne I wouldn't know how to find a driver, or even know if it was the right one.  I am much better at animal post mortems than I am at techy stuff.

saxonjus I can't view anything on youtube, it will only show me a blank screen.

Okay JeanSW - I will prefix this with the fact that I know nothing about Windows 8 since I have avoided that change so far :(  (and know very little about how comps work just how to use them but your memory sounds perfectly fine) ...anyway, I asked my uncle who was here and he said to try going into your Control Panel - then Power Options - then on the left you can choose when to turn off the display - select advanced power settings and see if there is something called PCI express or something like that - and if it is set to on then try changing it to off (he said that other than that he has no clue but a lot of laptops etc are automatically set to a power saving setting which messes with things). If its already set to off - then ...... I'll bow out and hope there is a Bill Gates on here somewhere who will help..........

Whoop!  Whoop!

tinar has anyone told you that you're a bloody genius!!! 

Took me ages to find the hidden PCI express, and then a bit of clicking and messing.  I confess to closing everything down, even the internet.  But first wrote out your instructions so I could take my time.  I tested it out on one of your links for returned lost dogs.  No blank screens - everything perfect.  I can now listen to all my old rock 'n' roll stuff on you tube again.  Yes, I know, I'm the oldest rocker in town.  I have Windows 8.1 but never use it.  Once fired up I click on desktop and use it like Vista.

I was worried about the financing of a new PC, even the cheapest isn't an option.  You do not know how chuffed I am.  Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out.  Thanks to uncle as well. 

PS I can't stop smiling. 

Yay - I actually helped !!! 

Glad your up and running! Now Tina the new I phone 6 lol any tips!

I would also say that you have problems with your screen

Would that I was so clever.   In my wisdom (not) and being persuaded by a new IT man I had to use (for other problems) in the absence in hospital of my usual man, I loaded Windows 10.    All I can say is DON'T!!!   At least not yet.    I had problems, didn't like the format (I tend not to like change but I like to think I am open minded enough to give anything a try), so reloaded W.7 which went okay except my mouse/cursor FROZE.    I tried putting it into a different port - no luck.   So in the end I approached a recommended (by IT man 1) friend of his in town, spent £55 on getting it fixed.   He said he had to reload W.7.  Picked it up that evening (bearing in mind I'd been without it since Saturday week ago, and it was now Tuesday evening) and hooked it up (this is a P/C not a laptop) and ... the cursor was STILL FROZEN.   Scream.   Of course he'd gone home for the day.   Meanwhile, overnight remembering I still had my old Dell mouse, in the morning I put it into a front port and IT WORKED.    Pulled out the mouse that wasn't working and put that into the same front port - it worked.   So basically although I've had to reload everything, camera function, scanner/printer, Antivirus, you name it and put in all my passwored again, I am back up and running.    At least if I get this freezing again, I know what to do

Two things I should have done - qualified to be a vet nurse (not bright enough to be a vet) and done a computer course!!   And perhaps married somebody with a deep pocket

Oh and be warned about W.10      If you have W.7 now, don't load it.   Okay if you have W.8.1, evidently.