Maybe somebody can help with this:

My roomates computer boots up and displays the bios and the loading screens just fine. Once it loads the login screen, the monitor turns off. I boot it in safe mode, however, and everything works normal. I then take out the video card and try the onboard video in a normal bootup and everything works fine. So i think its pretty safe to say its a problem with his video card, but why does it display the bios and everything up to login?

He doesn't know the specs of his computer, but from what I can gather, its a P4 system, with some Nvidia FX card (5700?), windows XP (he doesn't know if its pro or home), 512mb ram. This all worked until he brought it down to Rolla

THe video card is fine. I had a similar problem, and here is why. First you must disable the onboard video. Even if no monitor is present, it will be set as default and Windows will try to display the login screen, etc. on the onboard monitor.

OR you can set the new video card to primary (this is easier with 2 monitors). But to do that:

1)boot the computer with the monitor plugged into onboard VGA and the video card inserted. You will hear the computer beeping its brains out for a few seconds and won't be able to see it boot, but that is ok, give it some time.

2)the Login screen will eventually show up and you can progress as usual. Open display properties and set the monitor that is plugged into the video card (whether there is one or not) as primary.

3) then turn off the computer using shortcut keys because you won't be able to see anything unless you have 2 monitors.

4) plug the monitor into the card.

5) start the computer and disable onboard video.

There may be another easier way, but this is the only way I know right now.