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video cards and monitors look fine, but no picture...
I have a Dell XPS 2, and I've been in the process of erasing and
reformatting the hard drives. I had to do it twice because of a mistake on my part, and the second time around, my monitors (2 LCDs) no longer seem to realize that they're connected to a computer. The first symptom was that after turning on the computer, the monitor's power light would blink, as if it were waiting for input. I tried it with another monitor, and same thing. I've tried the analog, digital, and s-video connections, all with the same result. Also, it didn't sound like my computer was booting correctly (I didn't hear any beeps), so I went inside, reseated the video card, hooked up my second hard drive as the primary (in case the drive was the problem), and then tried again. This time, I heard the two initial beeps of a boot up, but all the monitor showed was a message saying it wasn't connected to anything. Any thoughts? Is the video card (actually, I think I have two) trashed? Thanks for any help, Mike |
#2
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video cards and monitors look fine, but no picture...
On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:51:03 -0800 (PST), mike
wrote: I have a Dell XPS 2, and I've been in the process of erasing and reformatting the hard drives. I had to do it twice because of a mistake on my part, and the second time around, my monitors (2 LCDs) no longer seem to realize that they're connected to a computer. The first symptom was that after turning on the computer, the monitor's power light would blink, as if it were waiting for input. I tried it with another monitor, and same thing. I've tried the analog, digital, and s-video connections, all with the same result. Also, it didn't sound like my computer was booting correctly (I didn't hear any beeps), so I went inside, reseated the video card, hooked up my second hard drive as the primary (in case the drive was the problem), and then tried again. This time, I heard the two initial beeps of a boot up, but all the monitor showed was a message saying it wasn't connected to anything. Any thoughts? Is the video card (actually, I think I have two) trashed? Thanks for any help, Mike Mike, I'm "guessing" but my intuition thinks it a faulty OS installation or you didn't reseat something correctly (ram, video card, controller card, etc.. ). I doubt 2 video cards are both no good but I can't say it can't happen. I don't think it's a faulty video driver because I believe winxp has some video drivers (tho they may not be the up to date or the correct ones your video card mfg may have). |
#3
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video cards and monitors look fine, but no picture...
"mike" wrote in message ... I have a Dell XPS 2, and I've been in the process of erasing and reformatting the hard drives. I had to do it twice because of a mistake on my part, and the second time around, my monitors (2 LCDs) no longer seem to realize that they're connected to a computer. The first symptom was that after turning on the computer, the monitor's power light would blink, as if it were waiting for input. I tried it with another monitor, and same thing. I've tried the analog, digital, and s-video connections, all with the same result. Also, it didn't sound like my computer was booting correctly (I didn't hear any beeps), so I went inside, reseated the video card, hooked up my second hard drive as the primary (in case the drive was the problem), and then tried again. This time, I heard the two initial beeps of a boot up, but all the monitor showed was a message saying it wasn't connected to anything. Any thoughts? Is the video card (actually, I think I have two) trashed? Thanks for any help, Mike Start with the diag LED codes. You can read up on them he http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...ot.htm#1084976 That box is reasonably complex to work on, and I can't tell from your description: a) whether you actually have an OS installed upon the machine b) the machine is completing POST (two beeps) but the video card isn't initializing. c) whether screwing around with the hard disks (RAID or non-RAID?) at this point is a good idea or not Assuming you're correct and it is completing POST, Windows/your hard disks won't have a thing to do with the monitor having no display. This symptom would indicate either a monitor/cabling problem or a video card problem. Re-check all of your connections to the monitor, double check that the video card is install properly, then reference the LED codes above in attempting boot. Stew |
#4
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video cards and monitors look fine, but no picture...
On Nov 15, 7:19 am, "S.Lewis" wrote:
"mike" wrote in message ... I have a Dell XPS 2, and I've been in the process of erasing and reformatting the hard drives. I had to do it twice because of a mistake on my part, and the second time around, my monitors (2 LCDs) no longer seem to realize that they're connected to a computer. The first symptom was that after turning on the computer, the monitor's power light would blink, as if it were waiting for input. I tried it with another monitor, and same thing. I've tried the analog, digital, and s-video connections, all with the same result. Also, it didn't sound like my computer was booting correctly (I didn't hear any beeps), so I went inside, reseated the video card, hooked up my second hard drive as the primary (in case the drive was the problem), and then tried again. This time, I heard the two initial beeps of a boot up, but all the monitor showed was a message saying it wasn't connected to anything. Any thoughts? Is the video card (actually, I think I have two) trashed? Thanks for any help, Mike Start with the diag LED codes. You can read up on them hehttp://support.dell.com/support/edoc...en/SM/adtshoot... That box is reasonably complex to work on, and I can't tell from your description: a) whether you actually have an OS installed upon the machine b) the machine is completing POST (two beeps) but the video card isn't initializing. c) whether screwing around with the hard disks (RAID or non-RAID?) at this point is a good idea or not Assuming you're correct and it is completing POST, Windows/your hard disks won't have a thing to do with the monitor having no display. This symptom would indicate either a monitor/cabling problem or a video card problem. Re-check all of your connections to the monitor, double check that the video card is install properly, then reference the LED codes above in attempting boot. Stew Well, after the computer settles down, I'm left with 3 green lights (A- C) and an amber (D). The guide treats that as an unknown error, I believe, and suggests checking all the cables. Arg. To answer some of your questions: A) This happened after an erase, so no OS is installed right now. B) not sure... C) I think I had the disks set to non-RAID. I'll have to try reconnecting everything, I guess. Thanks for the help, all. |
#5
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video cards and monitors look fine, but no picture...
"mike" wrote in message ... On Nov 15, 7:19 am, "S.Lewis" wrote: "mike" wrote in message snip Mike, For the sake of just getting the machine up and with video (even if just into BIOS), make sure all unneeded externals are disconnected from the system as well. That particular diag LED code ( GGGA ) doesn't necessarily indicate that the system should be no video at this point. Meaning, I've seen that code previously where you could still view the display. Post back if/when you can. Stew |
#6
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video cards and monitors look fine, but no picture...
Hi!
Well, after the computer settles down, I'm left with 3 green lights (A-C) and an amber (D). The guide treats that as an unknown error, I believe, and suggests checking all the cables. Arg. Before you give up hope...or get too frustrated, try removing power from the system and leave it that way for a few minutes. During one of the failed operating system setup attempts, the system board logic or that of the video card could have become confused. The board may need to really lose power before it will start up again. If that doesn't do it, you may be looking at pulling the CMOS battery. At that point, however, I'd be wondering if one of the video cards died and is keeping both of them from doing anything. Maybe you already looked into that. William |
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