I posted a comment on the Dell forum.  You can try with the motherboard video only (ATI 5700 removed) and see what happens. 

As far as Linux, you can download UBUNTU Linux and run it from disc.  That will tell if the system is working or not.  If Ubuntu Linux runs and the video doesn't cut out, etc you can assume the hardware is OK.    http://www.ubuntu.com/download

(I don't have any problems with Seagate drives.  They did have a problem a couple of years ago with certain models but that's been resolved).

I read the Dell thread this morning.  Along with all the video issues I would recommend not installing McAfee, as it has known issues with Sonar, among other things.  Use the Free and popular (and highly rated) Microsoft Security Essentials for Antivirus. 

The last post on the Dell thread about running diagnostics "forever" and the video not going out hits it pretty squarely.  Some type of hardware problem, whether its the video card or the motherboard.   

You may have to get a different video card, to verify if that is the problem.  Unfortunately substitution with a known good card is the only way. 

Good Mornin'

Im with you on the McAffee thing.  
If I can get Windos loaded to where it will let me adjust and load Essentials into Windows, thats the way Ill go. I like the idea of not having Norton or McAfee.

Ive got a fresh pot of coffee and getting ready to go down and see what I can accomplish this morning   

 Ill keep ya posted

I've been busy with other stuff. It may be that the video drivers are not right, and the monitor is not sleeping, the screen is going black because of the video drivers. You should start up with regular ol' VGA 640x480 resolution in Safe Mode with Networking so you can get on the Net. If you have the original drivers given with your video card when you bought it, then load that up on your computer if you keep the ATI video card in, or make sure that VGA is working with Microsoft drivers, but you may still have to install the ATI drivers even for VGA mode, and hopefully it still has that as a mode for your monitor. Safe Mode should boot into VGA anyway, and nothing should go to sleep even if the computer is whirring away, so it also could be the wrong drivers for video and when trying to change resolution (which it may be doing) the screen is going black when that takes place. It has been a common occurance with computer games for a long time. (and back when when video cards were not as good as nowadays.)

Mornin' Space

I moved this over to Dells support site and am getting a world of help from Fireberd and another on it.

http://en.community.dell....20251785.aspx#20251785

I tried removing the video card all together and running off the MOBO DVI connection, it just sits there and beeps at me without power up. I reinstalled the video card and booted up-With Windows up and running it stays on, if I go into Bios or try any type of recovery/repair procedures-the monitor will eventually cutout and display message "Monitor is going to sleep".  

We are currently trying to make sure all the hardware is operating correctly and good drivers are loaded for everything.

At this point we have everything passing all the tests from Dell Diagnostics and Im trying to work my way back into a good clean install off the operating system-but only after verifying all hardware and drivers are good. 

TGIF

As a beginner with computer repairs-sometimes I really feel like getting sick with all the costs but I am so thankful for the help I get from everyone on it  

Just FYIn'

Computers can be a nightmare, but then all of a sudden there's light at the end of the tunnel.  I've worked in computers, repair, programming and network/help desk for many years (before there was PC's until I retired).

Just take one step at a time, don't try to do everything at once.  e.g. Install Windows and make sure that (appears) to be running OK.  Then install needed device drivers (video, sound, etc) and then make sure everything is working OK, including rebooting a couple of times.  Then start with one program application, such as Antivirus (Microsoft Security Essentials) and verify its still OK.  Then Install the device drivers for your recording interface unit and make sure it connects and is installed.  Then on to Sonar, and make sure its going OK before installing any add-ons to Sonar.  Continue on the same way with other applications.   It took me about a month to get everything installed on my last PC build. 

Thats kind of the way you guys have me trained now LOL

Right now I am just attempting to get the desk top back to normal before I put anything on it.

I like that way of troubleshooting as well-one thin at a time until its correct

I really think its that MOBO or the ATI Card.

Id hate to say its the ATI cause when I have windows up and running, it looks and appears to work great. Its when Im outside of windows in like BIOS, or anything else and it will just crap out and throw me that "Monitor going to sleep" message.  I can tell the HDD is working cause the little light on the front is flickering or on solid.

Ive been on the Dell Support Driver sight with my Service tag plugged in researching the drivers and if I do what the downloads recommend for my service tag, its not a good thing when I reboot.  If I leave the drivers as is after throwing in and booting from the CDs I initially made, the monitor will work good unless I do the above trying to do a complete clean install back to factory or recover from any date.  Hard for me to explain.

So my next thought is-not having a spare video card to confirm that this one is good or bad, do I spend the money on a new system or keep on dumping more $$$ into this one.  It would be an easy call if I wasnt disabled and on a very fixed income-know what I mean.

Im kind of looking at this situation as

With Windows not letting me mess with any security type stuff such as Downloading and installing Security Essential, allowing or completing any windows updates, etc...
As long as it will run X1 good Ill keep playing the way I have until I can manage a new system.

With the 2 new Barracuds, do you think Ill be able to remove and be able to add them as extra drives on a new system or will they be messed up by having them in this computer?

The fact that it fails in the BIOS or before Windows starts says its most likely the Video Card.  When you first boot up the video card defaults to a basic VGA mode.  No drivers are loaded and its strictly an internal Video card operation.  It should never drop the video in the basic VGA mode (before Windows loads - even if you load Windows with a basic VGA mode there can be a basic VGA driver loaded).

Unfortunately the only way to "test" the Video card is to replace it with a known good/new card, or if you have another PC that uses a PCieX16 video card, you could install that in the other PC to see if it acts the same way and/or install the video card from the other PC in this PC.

So do you have any idea why MOBO beeps and does nothing if I remove the ATI card and have the monitor plugged into the MOBO?  Is there some setting I have to change for VGA once it is removed so the board will work properly without the card

Wouldnt that just eliminate the ATI card all together as a problem?