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no signal input messge

My sister has just called me (?) and said her pc won't start. It is beepig a few times, but then the screen reads "no signal input". She says the fans are working, the power on but nothing but the message happens.

Is this terminal? :(
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Comments

  • Crazy_Jamie
    Crazy_Jamie Posts: 2,246
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    This could be very obvious, but the most likely cause of that message is that the PC base unit (the thing she is turning on) is not connected properly to the monitor. Has she checked the cable connecting the two to ensure that it hasn't come loose?
    "MIND IF I USE YOUR PHONE? IF WORD GETS OUT THAT
    I'M MISSING FIVE HUNDRED GIRLS WILL KILL THEMSELVES."
  • williamD1964
    williamD1964 Posts: 532 Forumite
    Thanks Jamie, she has now tightened up the connections but still getting still getting the same message. A colleague suggested that it could be:
    1. The Motherboard
    2. The CPU
    3. The CMos battery
    4. The monitor!
  • fwor
    fwor Posts: 7,023
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    Anything is possible, but if she has not made any changes to it, 1 & 2 are unlikely, as is 4, because if the monitor were dead it would not be showing the "no signal" warning.

    More likely candidates are the Power Supply - unlikely as you usually don't get beeps, hard disk - unlikely as you usually get some sort of error message onscreen, or memory failure, which often gives the sort of failure mode you describe.

    If you find out what make and model the PC, and get her to describe exactly what pattern of beeps it gives, it may be possible to find the cause from this pattern.
  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692
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    edited 1 May 2010 at 8:23PM
    Disconnect the RAM and reconnect it making sure it hasn't come lose
    Removed and reinsert the graphics card

    Try again, see if that helps.

    Beep codes vary from manufacturers, but memory errors is 3 long beeps like below IIRC
    (if you say the words out in normal speed you get an idea of the length)
    beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
    Owner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them

    Working towards DFD

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  • williamD1964
    williamD1964 Posts: 532 Forumite
    well, as for the model its a heinz 57. Was made up for me by a colleague a few years ago. As for the beeps, she states that there is one long and three short beeps. Much appreciated guys & gurls
  • williamD1964
    williamD1964 Posts: 532 Forumite
    Should explain that the reason she rang me was it was my old pc which I had had for about 2 to 3 years and past onto her when I got my laptop.
  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692
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    well, as for the model its a heinz 57. Was made up for me by a colleague a few years ago. As for the beeps, she states that there is one long and three short beeps. Much appreciated guys & gurls

    Did a quick search

    AMI BIOS - Means bad RAM (remove and reseat)
    IBM BIOS - Means VGA circuits

    Does the motherboard have onboard VGA, are you using a dedicated card or onboard?

    Ideally use the onboard one
    Owner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them

    Working towards DFD

    HSBC Credit Card - £2700 / £7500
    AA Loans - (cleared £9700)
  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692
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    Should explain that the reason she rang me was it was my old pc which I had had for about 2 to 3 years and past onto her when I got my laptop.

    Has she dropped it recently ?

    BTW, something I just thought of which may be irrelevant, but it's possible the motherboard is shorting out. If it still don't work after simple things (RAM, VGA) then it's going to be base level up testing... it's worth doing out of box in that scenario so you know it's not shorting out.
    Owner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them

    Working towards DFD

    HSBC Credit Card - £2700 / £7500
    AA Loans - (cleared £9700)
  • williamD1964
    williamD1964 Posts: 532 Forumite
    WOW!

    Ok, Thanks everyone, but am not in position to do any taking out/replacing at the moment, but I will certainly try all of the suggested when I go around there, probably monday afternoon.
    I doubt very much she has dropped it as it is quite a load! I really do appreciate all your help and suggestions
  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692
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    WOW!

    Ok, Thanks everyone, but am not in position to do any taking out/replacing at the moment, but I will certainly try all of the suggested when I go around there, probably monday afternoon.
    I doubt very much she has dropped it as it is quite a load! I really do appreciate all your help and suggestions

    I'll PM you a doc with some stuff typed up you can try if it don't work, might be about 5 pages or so :P
    Owner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them

    Working towards DFD

    HSBC Credit Card - £2700 / £7500
    AA Loans - (cleared £9700)
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