No display when booting up?!
 

Hey there.

I just built a system for my friend today, and I am having an issue. The system is turning on fine, and I see the fans boot up, then the CPU fan, but after that, nothing happens. Nothing displays on the monitor, and the system just continues to run.

We were able to get a display, as this happened before, by connecting the AX12 or something like that... to the motherboard from the power supply. We had a picture, and the BIOS couldn't find the HD (SATA). I changed the connections, mainly switching spots where the ATA cable connected to the MoBo, and made sure the power was in. From this point on, everything is blank when the system turns on, other than the powering of the fans, and what sounds like it could be the whirring of the HD. The Vid card fan is on as well.

Using a Gigabyte DS3. Tried the Ram sticks in different spots, and tried with each one of them in by themselves. No luck. Another Note about the memory, the BIOS when we did see a boot screen was saying "Memory running as Single Channel" Couldn't seem to get this to change.


Not sure if the PSU is out, or the Mobo, or the proc, or all of the above. Any suggestions on how I go about troubleshooting this mess? Also, if what, does it sound like I need to have my friend RMA with Newegg?

Thanks. If you need more info, please ask, ill be waiting for responses.

Thanks!

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Place your RAM in alternating slots to enable dual channel mode. The tabs are usually different colors. But that's not the big deal.

You can have a million things wrong. What exactly happens when you boot the computer in its current state? Everything that happens from the second you press the power button. Do you see the manufacturer's splash screen? Do you get any BIOs warning beeps? Tell us everything, bc your post is kind of confusing and I'm not about to type out the fixes to all possible scenarios.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Place your RAM in alternating slots to enable dual channel mode. The tabs are usually different colors. But that's not the big deal.

You can have a million things wrong. What exactly happens when you boot the computer in its current state? Everything that happens from the second you press the power button. Do you see the manufacturer's splash screen? Do you get any BIOs warning beeps? Tell us everything, bc your post is kind of confusing and I'm not about to type out the fixes to all possible scenarios.

[/ QUOTE ]

No problem. Sorry for any confusion.

When I turn the power on, Nothing shows up on the monitor at all. I hear, and see the actual fans running, but nothing at all shows up on the monitor. The computer is "on" but I hear no beeps from turning it on, nor while fans are revving up.

I left it on for 2 minutes to see if something happened, but nothing did. No beeps, or anything.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Well even without a HD you should be able to get to the BIOS. You definatley have a wiring problem somewhere. Your motherboard isn't connected properly somewhere. That would explain why you can't get to the BIOS. Check all connections from your power supply to the MB. Also, what are the specs of all the hardware components primarily the siaxe of your power supply? models, brands, etc.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

[ QUOTE ]
We were able to get a display, as this happened before, by connecting the AX12 or something like that... to the motherboard from the power supply.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is this the 12V ATX power connector? A 4 pin connector similar to the big ass 20 (or 24) pin power connector, the 4 pins arranged in a square. Your system will get about as far as you've described without it.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

going off what d10 is saying, op may have on older power supply and is missing a 4 pin power connector.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

My friend is emailing me the specs.

We do have the 12V ATX connector, and I verified that it was connected.


4 Pin connector, plugged it in seperate from the 24 pin connector (20+4, the cable had the 20 pin, and a side addon that clips in if 24 is available)

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Do you hear a few beeps from your computer when you 1st start it up. If so, this has happened to me before. I just restart my computer like 4 times and eventually the monitors start to work again.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

No beeps at all. I hear no audible noises other than the fans.

Here are the specs and an update:
Mobo - Gigabyte DS3 rev.3
Processor - Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHZ
PSU - Raidmax RX-630 Volcano (630 Watts)
Cooling Fan - Arctic Cooler Pro
Ram - Corsair 1 GB (2x512) DDR2 533
Vid Card - PNY Geforce 7600 PCI-e 16x
Sound Card - Chaintech 7.1 PCI Sound

I tried taking it all out, and looked at the processor to make sure it wasn't in wrong. I also ensured all cables were plugged into what were the right spots. I have a 24pin atx connector, and tried booting it with both 20 and 24 pins connected to no avail. I also tried with only 1 ram stick each boot, no luck. My next step seems to be to pull out any type of card other than the video card, and the mobo/processor/fan/ram.

The comp will turn on, no beeping, and it won't display anything on the monitor. I never see the Bios screen, or even any indication that the signal is going from the video card -> Monitor.

I've also attempted to check all ideas given in this thread (thanks for the help so far guys).

No luck [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Thoughts, ideas?

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Left out HD As well - Western Digital 320GB SATA 7200 RPM

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Are you sure the video card is in the PCI express slot and not a reguar PCI slot. It should be the top slot and its usually black.

Also does that MB have integrated graphics meaning is there a seperate VGA slot near the top of the case? These fixes are very easy with the PC in hand, its just hard to tell you what to do. For me at least.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

The PCI Express Card is in the only slot where the card will fit, and it is at the top of the slots. It's actually a blue slot, but it does not fit in any other slots.

I don't see a VGA slot near the top, just a Serial and Parallel port.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

In your OP you said at one point that you had video but there was a problem finding the HD. Could you go into more detail as to what you were doing after you had the display working? In theory, unless some component randomly fried, one of the steps you took is most likely causing the current problem.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Just called my friend and asked him about this.

He had plugged in both the SATA power cable and the other Power cable (4 holes, not sure of name) and started it up. He said the comp came on for about 1 second, then immediatley shut off.

After he unplugged the system, he got the power to come back on, and since then, no video.

I wish he'd have told me this yesterday . Sorry, I truly did not know that had happened.

Think he fried the whole system?

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

[ QUOTE ]
My next step seems to be to pull out any type of card other than the video card, and the mobo/processor/fan/ram.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unplug the fans too, and swap in a known good video card + RAM if you can find them. If that doesn't work bring it somewhere with diagnostic equipment that can tell you which components are fried.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Google PC POST process and read up on it. After that start removing and adding components until you find the problem piece. Remove the memory first since its the first stage in the POST process and try to boot up the rig. Continue down the line following the POST order until u find the problem.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Sounds like a BIOS issue to me. Have you tried clearing the CMOS?

I just had what you describe happen to me a couple weeks ago and I was able to fix it by clearing the CMOS. This resets the BIOS to the original settings.

From your motherboard's manual:

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9426/ds3mobowc0.jpg

So you just need to place a jumper over those two pins for a few seconds and then take it off.

This worked for me.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

[ QUOTE ]
No beeps at all

[/ QUOTE ]

Make sure the speaker is plugged in to the proper pins on the board. You may be getting beep codes but not hearing them (also strange things can happen if you plug the speaker into the wrong pins and wind up "holding down" the reset button or suspend switch or something.

Of course, if there really aren't any POST beep codes, then this won't help...just thought it'd help narrow down what got fried if you can get the beep codes.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
No beeps at all

[/ QUOTE ]

Make sure the speaker is plugged in to the proper pins on the board. You may be getting beep codes but not hearing them (also strange things can happen if you plug the speaker into the wrong pins and wind up "holding down" the reset button or suspend switch or something.

Of course, if there really aren't any POST beep codes, then this won't help...just thought it'd help narrow down what got fried if you can get the beep codes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice work Nut. I typed that earlier, but I accidentally closed the stupid browser window. Make sure that MB actually has an internal speaker. I imagine there are plenty that don't.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like a BIOS issue to me. Have you tried clearing the CMOS?

I just had what you describe happen to me a couple weeks ago and I was able to fix it by clearing the CMOS. This resets the BIOS to the original settings.

From your motherboard's manual:

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9426/ds3mobowc0.jpg

So you just need to place a jumper over those two pins for a few seconds and then take it off.

This worked for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I doubt this is his problem since he's never fully booted the PC. But it is very useful to know for other scenarios.

Re: No display when booting up?!
 

Pheonominal advice everyone.

I will try these fixes tomorrow night with my friend, and post any findings I have.

Thanks again for your help so far!