PC - Powers on but no video output

[Deleted User]

Left PC running benchmarks last night. Got up this am to find it powered off.


Powered it back on. Fan started etc, no warning beeps etc but no video output at all.



Have had intermittent problems with case fan so wondering if its failed, and due to load, it overheated. (Probably not best time to run benchmarks!).



Its got a PCI-E graphics card so wonder if its that thats the problem. I'll have to check but I think mobo has onboard graphics so I can try this. I've also got spare PC so could try graphics card in this.



Is my guess that its graphics card likely to be correct? I was thinking that if there was a mobo/CPU/memoty problem I would get warning beeps from mobo on power up.



Whats best way to approach this problem?

WTFH

Step 1. Leave it to cool down. If it's overheated, give it a rest for a while!
Step 2. Try a new cable & monitor.
Step 3. Check all devices are properly seated.

[Deleted User]

WTFH wrote: »

Step 1. Leave it to cool down. If it's overheated, give it a rest for a while!
Step 2. Try a new cable & monitor.
Step 3. Check all devices are properly seated.

1. Yeh. Its probably been off all night so don't think its that but it'll be off all day now.

2. Yeh. Good point.

3. OK.

Mirno

If there's no display adapter it should give some indication - POST beeps or an LED error code.
This won't happen if you also have build in graphics (either on the CPU or motherboard if it's older), and will have failed over to that.

Check that everything is plugged in correctly (cables can work loose, and can the connectors inside the case).
Check the monitor is OK - you may be able to test with your TV. If the monitor shows it's no-connection screen it's probably working but there's a slim chance the connector has been damaged somehow.
Check the cable is OK if you've got a spare, or can borrow one from a friend.
Check using the onboard graphics if it has one - it could just be that the graphics card failed (it's rare but does happen).

Mirno

Cycrow

If theres usually a problem with certain components in the PC then you will get some BEEPs. However, this requires an internal speaker. Some motherboards have them built in, others require a separate one to be plugged in.

so its worth checking if you have such a speaker, as this will give you a better indicator of whats wrong when its working.

Also, you could try reseting the bios, and see if that makes a difference

Lum

Steps I'd try:

1. Power it off fully, either by unplugging the cable or turning it off at the wall, leave it for a minute or so, power it back on.
2. Clear the CMOS. How you do this varies, but typically it involves powering it off fully, taking the side off and pressing a button or moving a jumper that is typically next to the large battery on the motherboard, leaving it there for a few seconds, then putting it back. Check the manual for your motherboard for details.
3. Time to start hunting for POST beeps, failed components etc.
4. Cry.

tanto

hi
it could be a power supply problem if the power supply is failing it may not be pushing enough power for the graphics card

prowla

Has it got a built-in graphics interface too?