Hardware

No this is due to the power save,because the computer is not functioning properly
Check,your power cords on the back of the computer to make sure that they are snug.
Reads like a power issue if you are not hearing the hard drive or fans running,make sure it is getting power.
Does the lights on the front panel come on
Also check the surge supressor to make sure that it is on

I don't know about the power save issue as in #1 answer, but I've had this happen several times. Sometimes swapping out the monitor or the monitor cable if detachable will help. You will need to turn off then on the monitor to get rid of the Check Signal Cable. Other times, I have swapped out or replaced the video card and this resolved it. I would try the least invasive steps first, as in monitor and monitor cable, then the video card with the original monitor attached. I thought power save was when the PC was on already, not when you boot up, but you can go to Control Panel>>Power Management applet and turn off the power save options. If by power save he meant that the monitor goes to sleep with no input, such as yellow light instead of green, turn off the monitor, boot the pc and see if it boots with no video output on. Then try turning on the monitor to see if you get the check signal cable again. Good luck.

Answer two is right replace the video card. If it's an on board video card go to the main board web site to see how to do this. If it's a video card remove it and put another in its place. You can buy a cheap on at any computer store use a pci one. Your computer will or should detect the new card. You did not say what O/S you are using. Also check you memory, if its seated good.

When you turn on the puter, is the fan running on the back of the power supply? If the monitor was getting power from the system, you would not get the signal check. This tells me there is no power on the puter itself. The reason it can't be the video card is the fact that any system will let you boot into a mode where there are no drivers running and you are in safe mode.
Either the fan is siezed on the power supply and it burned out or the fuse on it is gone.
Good luck!

Mike

Another idea would be to use a different slot for the video card. If the one you have is an AGP and you only have the one AGP slot, try a PCI card.