Nothing on the monitor?

Axis304 · 10-10-2007, 07:21 PM

See, I had a bunch of old computers, some with broken parts, some were just fine. Well I decided I was gonna make a project out of putting together as many as I can and then networking them in my room (just for kicks really).

Anywho, I got one system built just fine (well parts of the case are missing, but it runs and thats all I was shooting for) I got to the second one, and after I put everything together (what I assumed what correctly) I tried to boot up. Nothing came on the monitor. It was just a deep black, I noticed that it was a much lighter black when I un-plugged it from the computer. I have switched video cards with no success. I have also switched HDD's with no success. (Please note that I know that these other items work, they came from a working machine).

It is fine to use jargon when describing your response, I am studying to be A+ certified and I take the essentials part of it next month, so I know about a lot of things, but not everything of course. Thanks a lot guys, and I appreciate your time!

**Doby** · 10-10-2007, 07:49 PM

It could be any number of things, bad psu or incompatible parts would be my first guess, hard to tell without knowing exactly what motherboard,cpu and ram you have.

**Snoopdogie187** · 10-10-2007, 07:51 PM

I would look for something simple like if the monitor still works or if it is the motherboard that is bad

Axis304 · 10-10-2007, 07:53 PM

Um, the PSU is fine, at least I think. It boots up as far as sounds go. You can hear all the fans, the CD drive opens up, you can hear the HDD if you are really close to it. It has really old RAM. But it did work at one point and time, about 1-3 months ago it booted, but there was some ancient version of MS dos on it, so I just stuck it away untill today.

EDIT: I also know the monitor is fine, I was using it on another system.

**Doby** · 10-10-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axis304

Um, the PSU is fine, at least I think. It boots up as far as sounds go. You can hear all the fans, the CD drive opens up, you can hear the HDD if you are really close to it. It has really old RAM. But it did work at one point and time, about 1-3 months ago it booted, but there was some ancient version of MS dos on it, so I just stuck it away untill today.

EDIT: I also know the monitor is fine, I was using it on another system.

OK then assuming the cpu, motherboard and ram were originally in the system they are compatible, you know the video card is good, I still suspect the psu so if possible try another one. Just because it powers up does not mean the psu is in good enough shape to run the computer

Also before doing that reseat the ram and all connections from the psu to the motherboard

Axis304 · 10-11-2007, 05:41 PM

I will take that into consideration. For the time being I have been trying multiple things (all except what you suggested because I just NOW saw it). I will be sure to give that a try, I hope it works out, but my instructor at my school thinks that the mobo may just be fried.

Thanks for your time,
Axis

**Doby** · 10-11-2007, 06:15 PM

Your welcome, and yes it is possible the board is bad but if you have a spare psu around give that a try because you said it did boot up awhile back

10-10-2007, 07:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Axis304 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 30 OS: Windows XP SP2/Linux Ubuntu	Nothing on the monitor? See, I had a bunch of old computers, some with broken parts, some were just fine. Well I decided I was gonna make a project out of putting together as many as I can and then networking them in my room (just for kicks really). Anywho, I got one system built just fine (well parts of the case are missing, but it runs and thats all I was shooting for) I got to the second one, and after I put everything together (what I assumed what correctly) I tried to boot up. Nothing came on the monitor. It was just a deep black, I noticed that it was a much lighter black when I un-plugged it from the computer. I have switched video cards with no success. I have also switched HDD's with no success. (Please note that I know that these other items work, they came from a working machine). It is fine to use jargon when describing your response, I am studying to be A+ certified and I take the essentials part of it next month, so I know about a lot of things, but not everything of course. Thanks a lot guys, and I appreciate your time!

10-10-2007, 07:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 8,112 OS: XP sp2/ Vista My System	Re: Nothing on the monitor? It could be any number of things, bad psu or incompatible parts would be my first guess, hard to tell without knowing exactly what motherboard,cpu and ram you have. __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

10-10-2007, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Snoopdogie187 Oh! What shall I be? Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,546 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, mom: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Nothing on the monitor? I would look for something simple like if the monitor still works or if it is the motherboard that is bad

10-10-2007, 07:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Axis304 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 30 OS: Windows XP SP2/Linux Ubuntu	Re: Nothing on the monitor? Um, the PSU is fine, at least I think. It boots up as far as sounds go. You can hear all the fans, the CD drive opens up, you can hear the HDD if you are really close to it. It has really old RAM. But it did work at one point and time, about 1-3 months ago it booted, but there was some ancient version of MS dos on it, so I just stuck it away untill today. EDIT: I also know the monitor is fine, I was using it on another system.

10-11-2007, 05:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Axis304 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 30 OS: Windows XP SP2/Linux Ubuntu	Re: Nothing on the monitor? I will take that into consideration. For the time being I have been trying multiple things (all except what you suggested because I just NOW saw it). I will be sure to give that a try, I hope it works out, but my instructor at my school thinks that the mobo may just be fried. Thanks for your time, Axis

10-11-2007, 06:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 8,112 OS: XP sp2/ Vista My System	Re: Nothing on the monitor? Your welcome, and yes it is possible the board is bad but if you have a spare psu around give that a try because you said it did boot up awhile back __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF