Blank Screen at Start-Up

S

salmonseeker

New Member
Hi Guys,

I am new to this board and need your help.

I have had this problem for a while now but it seems to come and go and lately has been more of a problem.
When I start up my computer the computer appears to start-up fine but the monitor will now show a display and stays in standby mode(the light blinks on the monitor). To fix this I have to hold in the power button to shut down the machine and then push it again. Usually it will work the second try but lately it is taking up to 10 tries. It can be very frustrating. After I start it this way I will here the computer beep twice just before the monitor turns on, it does not beep when it stays in standby mode.

When the monitor stays blank and remains in standby and I unplug the monitor connection to the computer, I get a message on the monitor that says check signal cable. It seems like the computer is not telling the monitor to turn on.

The computer is a EMachine T6534 running XP
The Monitor is a Samsung SyncMaster 920Nx.

I upgraded the memory by adding another 512MB,
I should also note that I added a graphics card, XFX GeForce 7300 GS, When I originally installed the card it worked great until this problem occurred, sometimes switching the monitor plug between the graphic card and the onboard video would make the monitor work. I recently un-installed the graphics card and ran the monitor strictly from the onboard video and the problem is still occurring.

Here are the specs on the computer;

Specifications
CPU: AMD Athlon™ 64 3700+ processor with AMD 64 Technology
(2.20GHz, 2000MHz system bus, 1MB L2 cache)
Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home (SP2)1
Chipset: NVIDIA® GeForce® 6100
Memory: 512MB DDR (1 × 512MB), 400MHz (PC3200)
Expandable to 4GB
Hard Drive: 200GB (7200rpm, 2MB cache)2
Optical Drive: 16x multiformat dual-layer DVD±RW
(Up to 8.5GB with dual-layer media)
Write max: 16x DVD±R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 4x DVD+R DL, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW
Read max: 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-ROM
Media Reader: 9-in-1 Digital Media Manager™ (Memory Stick®, Memory Stick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™, CompactFlash®, MicroDrive, SmartMedia, xD-Picture Card™, USB 2.0)
Video: NVIDIA® GeForce® 6100 integrated graphics solution
Up to 128MB of shared video memory
PCI Express (PCIe x16) slot available
Sound: 6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio
Network: 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
Modem: 56K ITU V.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)
Peripherals: Premium multimedia keyboard, 2-button wheel mouse, amplified stereo speakers (USB powered)
Ports/Other: 5 USB 2.0 (1 in Digital Media Manager™, 4 in back), VGA external connector, parallel port, 2 PS/2 ports (keyboard and mouse), 5 audio ports (2 in front, 3 in back)
Dimensions: 14.25"H x 7.25"W x 16"D
Weight: 22.5 lbs
Software: Microsoft Works® 8.51, Microsoft Office 2003 Student Teacher Edition trial3, Microsoft Money 2006, Adobe® Reader 7, CyberLink® DVD Solution Suite (PowerDVD™ and Power2Go™), Microsoft* Windows® Media Player 10, Microsoft Digital Image Starter Edition (60-day complimentary trial), RealNetworks RealPlayer®, Quicktime, Napster 3.0 (30-day trial)4, Microsoft Internet Explorer, AOL® 9.0 (6-month membership included )5, Google Toolbar™, McAfee® Internet Security Suite™ (90-day complimentary trial)6, BigFix® 7 (identifies and resolves problems that affect the system before they occur)


If you guys could help in way, Please do. I am sure you could imagine how frustrating it can be waiting up to 30 minutes for your computer to turn on.

Thanks in advance. :confused::confused:
 
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Did this problem occur after you upgraded the memory? Remove the new stick of RAM and see if you continue to have problems.
 
Okay, I tried removing the memory upgrade, the problem did not go away. I then swapped the new memory for the old and the problem still persisted. I then removed both memory and swapped them from their original positions so they are now in different slots.

The computer now seems to be starting okay but it is still making 3 short beeps at start-up. Is this normal?

I am worried that this problem is not fixed since this problem does come and go often. This past time it was worse than ever.

Can anyone clarify the three beeps or suggest what might have caused this problem?

Thanks Again
 
Means something related to video. It could mean a failing GFX... or just a dying monitor.

Try another monitor, what happens?
 
Ok, I finally got a monitor to borrow. It did not fix the problem.

After further inspection I have found that it is not just a problem of the display coming on. The computer itself is not starting. The normal sounds of windows starting and the hard drive operating are not being heard. I can here all the fans come on but that is as far as it goes.

Any Ideas,

Thanks Again
 
you ever accidently not shuit down the computer correctly? might of messed up or currupted your memory or some files
 
cannouu said:
you ever accidently not shuit down the computer correctly? might of messed up or currupted your memory or some files
Click to expand...

1) A corrupted HDD will not do anything to it starting up. Even removing it won't stop it from POSTing.
2) You cannot corrupt your memory.

Another thing to add, try removing your CMOS battery and replacing it. There was a friend who had the same symptoms as you, and he thought it was his 7300LE. Nope. Replaced the CMOS battery, POSTed.
 
I have checked the CMOS battery charge from the BIOS menu and it said the charge was good. I also did remove the battery for about a minute today and then replace it and still nothing.

oscaryu1, I did remove the GFX and try using the onboard video with the same results.

Someone suggested possibly the power supply is faulty and might have screwed up the motherboard. They suggested I try replacing the powersupply and hope for the best.
 
Prebuilts are not known for their good power supplies, and it is also another good possiblity that it's not sufficient enough for the system. You'd probably have to hope for the best and hope that it isn't the motherboard.

Try another PSU from another computer [if possible].
 
Well I tested the power supply and all seemed good. Now my only other option is the motherboard.

I am just considering a new computer now since I will probably have to buy an operating system with a new motherboard since I do not have any back up disks. Plus a new power supply is need to run my graphics card. I was under powered before and did not realize it.

Time to break out my credit card.

Thanks for all your help everyone.
 
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