"no sigal" display on screen when I try to boot up

MrJimmyC · 12-11-2008, 07:09 PM

Hi all...
First time here and I have a problem. When I got to start my system, win98, the application will start to load up and then all of the sudden the screen goes blank and a message stating "no signal" comes on the screen. I am then taken to a screen that allows me several different options to reboot, none of which work. could anyone tell me what the problem is and what I need to do to fix it? Thanks

**OldGrayGary** · 12-12-2008, 01:37 AM

Hi Jimmy

It sounds like you are seeing something before it goes black and gives the "No Signal" message. Do you see the usual startup screen, along with the Windows 98 banner, while just before it goes black? Or does nothing at all show onscreen until the "No Signal" message appears?

If you are getting the usual display screens as the computer is starting (perhaps a splash screen with the vendors name [IBM, Gateway, HP, etc.] or a list of the hardware in your computer [a Bios hardware-detect screen]), then try:

1) As the computer is powering on, start tapping the F8 key. If a boot menu results, try "Safe Mode".
2) Test to see if the same "No Signal" behavior happens in Safe Mode as well, or if the system is able to display correctly.

I would usually expect "No Signal" messages to indicate a hardware or configuration problem. If you get no display whatsoever, you'll want to check all the hardware connections. With the power off & the power cord unplugged, check the monitor cable's connections to the PC and to the back of the monitor (Ground yourself before touching anything inside the case). If your PC has a plug-in video card, try re-seating the card in its slot. Check the other connections in the PC as well (memory, hard drive, cd-drive) & make sure they look OK. Visually inspect the motherboard and video card for signs of overheating.

If you have no luck getting any display after checking the connections inside, you may want to try things with another video card (if you don't have a spare, perhaps a friend will have one they can let you borrow).

Best of luck
. . . Gary

MrJimmyC · 12-12-2008, 03:47 AM

Gary thanks for the quick response.....I'll check those when I get home. Just for information I get the windows 98 banner just like its is going to load up, then the screen goes out and the words 'no signal' then just as stated above

**OldGrayGary** · 12-12-2008, 11:03 AM

Hi again

Glad to hear that you do see the banner first.

When you test things, if you see the "No Signal" appear again just after the PC has begun starting, try to listen as carefully as you can for the system fans (cpu, video card [if any], power supply and case fans) ---also see if any that are visible are still spinning. If the power has completely shut off inside the main case, it could be overheating.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

MrJimmyC · 12-12-2008, 05:22 PM

Gary, after the screen comes up that says 'no signal' I then get a dos screen(?) that says that some of my files have been lost and I need to restart using like maybe four different methods. One is 'safe mode' one is and then three others but when I attempt these the same thing happens as before....the banner comes up, it starts to boot, then bang, 'no signal' ....and this can all happened within 1 minute of turning the computer on. I am trying to get it to accept a recovery disk but am having no luck....any suggestions>?

**OldGrayGary** · 12-13-2008, 12:11 AM

Hi again

If your computer is a major brand, you can find & follow their instructions to get the Recovery Disk started. Most have decent support sites. You may need to enter the "Bios Setup" for your system's motherboard & set your CD/DVD drive as the "first boot device" ... then start the computer with your Recovery Disk in the CD/DVD drive.

If you need to save any data from the current installation, however, you'll want to save things before trying the Recovery Disk (some recoveries erase the hard drive & restore only the factory original disk image).

If you have a friend with a Knoppix Linux live CD, you could start your PC with that, and copy data to a USB key or to CDs/DVDs.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

12-11-2008, 07:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
MrJimmyC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5 OS: win98	"no sigal" display on screen when I try to boot up Hi all... First time here and I have a problem. When I got to start my system, win98, the application will start to load up and then all of the sudden the screen goes blank and a message stating "no signal" comes on the screen. I am then taken to a screen that allows me several different options to reboot, none of which work. could anyone tell me what the problem is and what I need to do to fix it? Thanks

12-12-2008, 01:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: "no sigal" display on screen when I try to boot up Hi Jimmy It sounds like you are seeing something before it goes black and gives the "No Signal" message. Do you see the usual startup screen, along with the Windows 98 banner, while just before it goes black? Or does nothing at all show onscreen until the "No Signal" message appears? If you are getting the usual display screens as the computer is starting (perhaps a splash screen with the vendors name [IBM, Gateway, HP, etc.] or a list of the hardware in your computer [a Bios hardware-detect screen]), then try: 1) As the computer is powering on, start tapping the F8 key. If a boot menu results, try "Safe Mode". 2) Test to see if the same "No Signal" behavior happens in Safe Mode as well, or if the system is able to display correctly. I would usually expect "No Signal" messages to indicate a hardware or configuration problem. If you get no display whatsoever, you'll want to check all the hardware connections. With the power off & the power cord unplugged, check the monitor cable's connections to the PC and to the back of the monitor (Ground yourself before touching anything inside the case). If your PC has a plug-in video card, try re-seating the card in its slot. Check the other connections in the PC as well (memory, hard drive, cd-drive) & make sure they look OK. Visually inspect the motherboard and video card for signs of overheating. If you have no luck getting any display after checking the connections inside, you may want to try things with another video card (if you don't have a spare, perhaps a friend will have one they can let you borrow). Best of luck . . . Gary __________________

12-12-2008, 03:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
MrJimmyC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5 OS: win98	Re: "no sigal" display on screen when I try to boot up Gary thanks for the quick response.....I'll check those when I get home. Just for information I get the windows 98 banner just like its is going to load up, then the screen goes out and the words 'no signal' then just as stated above

12-12-2008, 11:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: "no sigal" display on screen when I try to boot up Hi again Glad to hear that you do see the banner first. When you test things, if you see the "No Signal" appear again just after the PC has begun starting, try to listen as carefully as you can for the system fans (cpu, video card [if any], power supply and case fans) ---also see if any that are visible are still spinning. If the power has completely shut off inside the main case, it could be overheating. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________

12-12-2008, 05:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
MrJimmyC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5 OS: win98	Re: "no sigal" display on screen when I try to boot up Gary, after the screen comes up that says 'no signal' I then get a dos screen(?) that says that some of my files have been lost and I need to restart using like maybe four different methods. One is 'safe mode' one is and then three others but when I attempt these the same thing happens as before....the banner comes up, it starts to boot, then bang, 'no signal' ....and this can all happened within 1 minute of turning the computer on. I am trying to get it to accept a recovery disk but am having no luck....any suggestions>?

12-13-2008, 12:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: "no sigal" display on screen when I try to boot up Hi again If your computer is a major brand, you can find & follow their instructions to get the Recovery Disk started. Most have decent support sites. You may need to enter the "Bios Setup" for your system's motherboard & set your CD/DVD drive as the "first boot device" ... then start the computer with your Recovery Disk in the CD/DVD drive. If you need to save any data from the current installation, however, you'll want to save things before trying the Recovery Disk (some recoveries erase the hard drive & restore only the factory original disk image). If you have a friend with a Knoppix Linux live CD, you could start your PC with that, and copy data to a USB key or to CDs/DVDs. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________