Computer starts, but no display

Status
Not open for further replies.

you use a 286

Posts: 58   +0
my Pentium 4 starts up, but there is no display on the screen. My monitor works fine, I tested it on another tower. I can't figure out whats wrong w/ the computer.
 
I've run into this problem on 3 customer machines I worked on. All 3 were motherboard failures, and needed replaced.
 
I should ask, is there any post beep? And another possibility is your video. If it's onboard video, try obtaining a video card assuming you have a card slot availiable. If it's not onboard video you're using, and you're already using a card, you have 2 options. A: once again, try another video card in your video slot, and B: if you are using a video card, but have an onboard video option, test the onboard video. If this all fails, I would again assume it's the motherboard.
 
You use a 286, I would definitely at least test your video card in another PC before you proclaim the motherboard dead. If the video card doesn't give a response in the other PC, expect that only the video card has died and your motherboard is okay.
 
The problem here is there are a MANY potential reasons for this behavior. If you don't have the means to troubleshoot, then buying a new board will be a bad 'investment' if it is something else.

No POST beep is a clue, but hardly reliable. It can STILL be failed memory, PSU, bad video card or a failing PCI device... even a bad IDE drive or cable (Yes, this CAN happen).

Motherboards and graphics cards are good guesses, but you need to do some troubleshooting or you are playing PC-parts-bin roulette. :)
 
:) Now it's time to move toward the more drastic measures (such as replacing your motherboard). It's always better to be safe than sorry.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back