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Computer starts /w black screen.

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by simonbeaulieu87

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Hello everyone.
I am desesperatly in need of help.
I am having trouble with my computer, obviously;
My computer is starting up, fans, powersupply, even detect the dvd drive, but my screen is just black...with the flashing power buttom of the screen.

My computer processor is Athlon XP 1800
I have 512 mb ram,
It is about 5-6 years old, I have no idea what my motherboard is, since it's my friend who gave it to me.
I have a geforce 2 as a graphic card,and some shitty soundcard.
2 harddrives.

So this is what I did so far :
I checked to see if all the cables were plugged ok(yes many times..)
Resetted my CMOS memory
Checked for bent pins all over my mother board and PCI and AGP slots.

Any ideas?

7 replies

by thumbsup2

You said a friend gave you the computer. Did it work before they gave it to you? Did it work since they gave it to you? If so, have you installed anything new in the computer since you obtained it? What would make you suspect the hardware, checking the CMOS and looking to see if there are bent pins?

And, what operating system is on the computer? Please explain what you mean "flashing power buttom of the screen". Do you mean the power button on the monitor is flashing? Is it orange or green/blue?

by simonbeaulieu87

Yes, the computer always been working perfectly for him. Well...his motherboard, the Harddrives and other hardwares are mine...It's been about 2-3 years sincec I have it..so I doubt that could be the problem..

My OS is winxp pro sp2

Because I have been trying everything else, I saw on this site to check if my motherboard was fucked up :
http://www.duxcw.com/faq/mb/deadmb.htm

I would suspect it's my graphic really...but I don't have any other graphic card to test..
Maybe anyone has another idea?

by thechas

Do you get the "normal" beeps and sounds of your system booting up and logging in?

If so, you have a video or monitor problem. Start by making sure the video cable is properly seated in the connector.

It also may be worth the effort to make sure that the video card is fully seated in the motherboard. Sometimes, the inside end will creep out of the socket and cause the system to lock up.

If you do not get the normal beeps and startup sounds, then I suspect the power supply. You might be getting the +5 and 12 volt supplies, but no 3.3 volt. Or, the voltages are coming up out of sequence.

Just verify if you have a 20 or 24 pin power connector and get the correct supply. 400 to 500 watts should be plenty for your system.

Chas

by simonbeaulieu87

Thanks for the reply,

AS for the sound, I didn't get those since about 3 years, because I unplugged my case's speakers and they doesn't seem to work anymre when I plug them, so I can't get much information with that...

I already checked for the cables many times, and I did it again this morning, with no success.

As for my power supply, it's a 400W and I just bought a new one about 1 year about because the old one broke up,so I would really be surprised that it is the problem again.

I also already removed my graphic card to see if there was any problem with the socket or what so ever...and then reinstalled it with no success...

Any other idea?

by older mycroft

Oh, I know - the fact that you unplugged your case's speakers doesn't matter a monkey's nostril lining - the beeps that TheChas referred to come from the motherboard speaker.

Maybe you've unplugged that as well?!

by thumbsup2

Just because a part is relatively new does NOT mean that it can't go out at any time. Especially when talking about power supplies.

If I were you, I would completely forget what you think you know about how things should be plugged in and start back at the beginning, following the instructions and double checking EVERYTHING. Don't assume anything at all. You must either prove it's working or prove it's not. Never assume. There are tried and true methods published for troubleshooting. Use them.

Test the power supply backwards and forwards, inside out and upside down.

If the monitor cable doesn't plug in smoothly, look to make sure you haven't forced it at one point and bent a pin.

If the video card doesn't "snap" down into place, look to make sure you have the CORRECT type of video card with the slots where they belong (some incorrect cards will almost fit down into the slot, but not quite).

etc... etc... etc....

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