Computer will not boot (blank screen)

Hi all, hope you can help as I'm totally stumped:

I switch on the machine (only components installed are the mobo, cpu
and video card) - fans come on, lights on motherboard are on but
that's it - the screen is still blank. I've tried a different mobo, a
different cpu, different psu, a different video card (different brand
and one a pci, the other agp). I'm getting the same results each time.

I have no idea where to go from here as I've rotated around all the
different components to no avail!?

Hope someone can advise, it would be most appreciated,
Regards,
Andrew

On 15 Oct 2003 01:08:49 -0700, (Knoxy)
wrote:

Hi all, hope you can help as I'm totally stumped:

I switch on the machine (only components installed are the mobo, cpu
and video card)

Add memory

- fans come on, lights on motherboard are on but
that's it

Did you add the memory yet or are you still reading this? ;-)


- the screen is still blank. I've tried a different mobo, a
different cpu, different psu, a different video card (different brand
and one a pci, the other agp). I'm getting the same results each time.

Whatabout, ummm, NOW? Have you added the memory yet?
Sorry, it was funny to me at least.

If you're added the memory and still this occurs, you need go over
everything again. Here are a few ideas, but not knowing if you
installed the memory...

Reassess the adequacy of the power supplies for the systems, capacity
and accuracy of that capacity rating... only trust the rating on a
name-brand.

Check voltage switch on back of power supply, should be set
appropriate to your AC voltage input.

Double-check the power switch, or try shorting the motherboard's
power-on jumpers with a paperclip, after confirming they're the right
jumpers.

Check the motherboard's battery, that it doesn't have an insulating
piece under it, and that the Clear CMOS jumper is in the correct
position. Try clearing the CMOS with that jumper, or by pulling the
battery for 10 minutes, while the power supply is disconnected from
the board.

Might you have a motherboard mounting standoff installed where there
shouldn't be one?

These motherboards, power supplies, are they the same models or
different?

Are they known-good parts? New or previously working together or in
other systems or ... ?

Are you sure the motherboard(s) jumpers are set appropriately (if
there are jumpers)?

Are you sure the motherboard supports the specific CPU being used,
including with it's present BIOS version?

Is there another method to double-check as many of these components as
possible, another system or a friend that would, etc?

I have no idea where to go from here as I've rotated around all the
different components to no avail!?

Hope someone can advise, it would be most appreciated,
Regards,
Andrew

I'm sure there's more to check, but perhaps a bit more information and
feedback would be most helpful, including description/specs of these
components.


Dave

"Knoxy" wrote in message
om...
Hi all, hope you can help as I'm totally stumped:

I switch on the machine (only components installed are the mobo, cpu
and video card) - fans come on, lights on motherboard are on but
that's it - the screen is still blank. I've tried a different mobo, a
different cpu, different psu, a different video card (different brand
and one a pci, the other agp). I'm getting the same results each time.

I have no idea where to go from here as I've rotated around all the
different components to no avail!?

Hope someone can advise, it would be most appreciated,
Regards,
Andrew

you got memory in?

I had memory in before but had stripped that out - if i had no
memory, surely I still would've got something on screen!

But! I sussed the problem anyway - it was the case shorting out the
mobo - took everything out of the case and built it again on my desk,
and lo and behold, it worked!!

Not sure yet exactly why the case was shorting it as it had been in
the same case for nearly 3 years but hey. Could be a loose mounting
screw I found - not tested but think thats what it must be.

Thank god thats sorted - I was going crackers for a while! Thanks for
help anyway!

Andrew

On 17 Oct 2003 03:37:47 -0700, Knowing that it was a Hollywood
invention that lemmings jump off cliffs
(Knoxy) wrote :

I had memory in before but had stripped that out - if i had no
memory, surely I still would've got something on screen!

But! I sussed the problem anyway - it was the case shorting out the
mobo - took everything out of the case and built it again on my desk,
and lo and behold, it worked!!

Not sure yet exactly why the case was shorting it as it had been in
the same case for nearly 3 years but hey. Could be a loose mounting
screw I found - not tested but think thats what it must be.

Thank god thats sorted - I was going crackers for a while! Thanks for
help anyway!

Andrew

When I fit mother boards I use the small foam underlay that usually
comes with them under the MB to stop any loose debris/screws from
getting under the MB just because of this and have had to replace
boards on systems because they have been blown by shorting caused by
loose screws!
My 10 penn'th.



--
Free Windows/PC help,
http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/trouble.html
It's a G not a J in gmx for email
Free songs download,
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/nomessiahsmusic.htm

Cheers for that - will try to get my hands on some foam.

New problem now :-) Using a new motherboard and it wont boot up in
almost the same way. Only difference is, the power comes on for about
a second then goes off! Doesn't happen all the time, sometimes it
stays on but I get nothing on screen and sometimes I will get
something on screen except it hangs when it picks up the CPU
(incorrectly I may add [wrong speed] - btw, mobo is an abit kd7-g and
supports the athlon xp 2600 i've got on it). Odd.

Took memory out and it beeped like mad - so I think that's ok. Only
things connected are memory, graphics card and cpu

Not a psu issue as i've tried two different types with same result. I
want to try a different cpu except i cant get the damn thing off!!!
Could this be down to the cpu?

Any ideas?
Andrew

There should be only one conductive standoff between case
and chassis located near to power supply connector and
peripheral slots. Single point connection between motherboard
ground and chassis ground keeps ground loops from causing
system crashes. In your case, it would have probably
eliminated that shorting problem.

Knoxy wrote:
But! I sussed the problem anyway - it was the case shorting out the
mobo - took everything out of the case and built it again on my desk,
and lo and behold, it worked!!

Not sure yet exactly why the case was shorting it as it had been in
the same case for nearly 3 years but hey. Could be a loose mounting
screw I found - not tested but think thats what it must be.

Thank god thats sorted - I was going crackers for a while! Thanks for
help anyway!

Andrew