monitor says no signal but works on another computer

J

jwhert

New Member
the computer i built for my brother just stopped working today, worked about half of the day then he goes to turn it on a few hours later and the monitor doesnt show to have a signal, ive tried a couple of monitor cords so that isnt the problem

im not sure what i could be other than the video card

what are some things to try
 
What video card do you have? Have you tried onboard video (if you have one, that is)?

Can you be more specific here? Any part inside the computer could have blown, causing the computer not to even POST. Video card, motherboard, PSU or CPU would probably be the most likely candidates here... have you tried the video card on another computer? I would also, if possible, try another PSU (don't try the PSU on the broken machine in any other rig as a damaged PSU can blow other components). Or does the computer boot (e.g. you can see the HD light blinking as if it was laoding the OS or anything that makes you believe it's loading up but simply ain't displaying the picture)?
 
Remove the Video card and reinstall it in another slot. Make sure it is seated properly. I use to always have problems because I did not take the time to make sure PC cards were seated properly. Align them and push them down with enought force to seat them properly.
 
the computer appears to come on fine, everything lights up and shows to be running, i just cant see a picture on the monitor, says no signal

its an hd4870 card

no onboard video
 
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Is it possible to try the video card on another computer? I would do that... you could also try unplugging the machine altogether (like pull the cable out of the power point), or even disassembling the computer and then putting the parts back again, I once had a problem where the computer would seem to start up but got no picture, unplugged everything and put everything back again the way it was and it worked.
 
ok, the video card is working in my computer right now and my 8800gt isnt working in his either, so that makes me think mobo or psu, neither card worked in either slot on his mobo
 
to access the safe mode you have to press F8 just before the windows bootscreen appears, and select safe mode from a list that appears pressing that key.
 
Can you see theomputer POST in the first place i.e. does the computer show any picture at all when you start it up? If not, try clearing the CMOS (unplug the power cord & remove the little battery on the motherboard for, say, 5 minutes), and if that doesn't do it, we have a blown piece of hardware here (or maybe a faulty cable/connector somewhere?).
 
If possible, download a Linux Live CD (Damn Small Linux will do it), and see if it boots up. If it does, there's probably a big problem with your windows installation.

Just out of curiosity... can you get into BIOS?
 
If it does POST I'd like to think it'd be windows itself which is causing the problem, not hardware. I agree with hackapelite. Try getting a Linux Live CD.
 
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