Computer boots but no display

[brentw]

Computer will boot but shows no display. I swapped out the ram and videocard, still no good. The CD-rom/fans/hdd works. The computer makes no post. What could this be? Motherboard? Powersupply? CPU? I'ts a Dell 8100.

 

[Job]

When u say it boots do you mean it'll boot all the way in to windows, or that it will just turn on and sit there? - U mentioned it doesnt post

 

[corkyg]

The only way my systems will do that is if the monitor is turned off. Is your monitor pilot light on?

 

[brentw]

Yes it boots and just sits there. No display on the computer monitor when I boot the computer. Yes the monitor pilot light is on. The computer dosent post. ie beeps. I will try and reset the cmos..see if that works.

 

[corkyg]

I would recoonect and check all your video cable connection - if you have an LCD with both analog and digital, try both. CHanging the cable would also help isolate the problem. If you can try a different monitor, that is another isolating step. Right now it could be the video card, the cable, or the monitor itself.

Resetting CMOS with no display doesn't seem practical. ???

 

[Job]

I had a problem similar to you - the pc would switch on but would beep loudly at me and the video card wouldnt initiate - for some reason, resetting the cmos, unplugging all the cables and removing all the components (GPU, Soundcard, Ram) and leaving it over night seemd to work. Not very technical, I know, but it worked

 

[brentw]

I swapped the videocard and monitor..still blank screen. I will order a motherboard tonight and hope that is the problem..if not I will have to order a powersupply. I have a lot of photos on the harddrive, so I would really like to get the computer back and running even though I plan on buying a laptop in the near future.

 

[AMCRambler]

You said it beeps. Is it a beep code? Usually how you troubleshoot a computer that doesn't post. Listen for the beep code, 3 beeps, 4 beeps whatever and then check your motherboard manual or website for what the code means. Should indicate which hardware is causing the problem.

 

[brentw]

Computer makes no beeps.

 

[knoxman]

I'm actually having the same/similar problem.

The computer will turn on; all fans spin up, lights are on, hard drives spin, cd'roms will open and close normally... But no video, no beeps, no post, no lovin'.

I have replace the Power supply, replaced the motherboard, replaced the CPU, replaced the video card, pulled the MB out of the case and set on static-free pad, disconnected EVERYTHING except the monitor...

I have a MB, CPU, Ram, and video card, new P/S connected, still no video.

it's as bare-bones as it gets. same result even if I yank ALL ram in the system, or swap it out in singles or pairs.

I'm completely at a loss. The CPU us brand new (I chucked my old 3800+ because I figured it was bad, got a newer 4400+, but same problem).

The only thing I have not replaced is RAM -- but even if I yank all ram in the system, or put in 1 or 2 of the 4 DIMMs, still the same effect -- so either ALL the ram is bad, or I've got another bad M/B I figure...? The first was an ASUS, the second an MSI...

Seen this problem on the net in many spots (no resolutions) and all I saw were AMD.

I splurged on a leap of faith for AMD, and it appears that my faith was mis-placed...

But still, a $2500 computer is a $2500 computer, and I have to get this thing working again. Any ideas anyone?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: brentw
I swapped the videocard and monitor..still blank screen. I will order a motherboard tonight and hope that is the problem..if not I will have to order a powersupply. I have a lot of photos on the harddrive, so I would really like to get the computer back and running even though I plan on buying a laptop in the near future.

You do know that a standard motherboard will not fit a Dell 8100 case, right?

 

[knoxman]

Mine's an Antec case -- the system USED to work... but then poof -- no more...

 

[Gusty987]

I have the same problem. I just build a new computer, but when I switch it on, I get no video, and no beeps.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: brentw
Computer makes no beeps.

Then it is not really booting. After POST, when it starts the boot sequence, a single beep should be heard. With no display, there's no way to tell if Windows loads.

 

[brentw]

Yeah I actually bought one on ebay and it turned out the motherboard was not the problem! Guess I'ts my psu then?

 

[brentw]

Any suggestions or should I just order a psu?

 

[knoxman]

yeah -- on the MB, next to the CPU, there may be a second power imput -- make sure you have the Power Supply plugged into this as well. In other words, the Motherboard may require 2 power imputs, not just the normal 1 that we all think of... This was my problem which I finally figured out.... But I had the exact same problems as you...