Burnt out onboard video

[whitecree]

I have an older AMD based system, one of those all-onboard types that includes sound, video, modem etc. An Amptron M810CLM6, if that helps.

Now, the onboard video is burned out. At least that much, maybe more, but without the monitor display, I can't really say for sure.

I have an older AGP card that will work with the system - ATI Rage something-or-other 4x. I plug it in, but now I have a dilemna. I can't see the BIOS screen to change things around. How can I disable the onboard video and enable the plug-in vidcard?

I've searched through google, and found some info on how to go about channging things around, but they all assume a working onboard vidcard, which this one isn't.

Any hints at all are welcome.

[gvblake22]

All onboard video solutions I've used will search for a secondary video card if nothing is plugged into the onboard video. So when you plug in this add-on video card (is it AGP or PCI?) and connect the monitor to it you don't get any signal ever? Are you sure the video card you're trying is functional?

[whitecree]

The AGP card does work on another system, and it is in an AGP slot.

The computer fires up, and all the monitor displays is "NO VIDEO SIGNAL". Another monitor plugged in (making sure it isn't a faulty monitor) just blinks it's power switch light, meaning the same thing.

No beep or click codes, but then this mobo never did do any of that.

I've also cleared CMOS in case that might have been at the root.

The last time I had the system up and running was this morning when it was first switched on. XP got as far as the splash screen, then the display went wonky, showing a mad scramble of colored horizontal bars.

Last night - according to the owner - there was a toasted electronic smell coming from the system, which is why she called me in. I've already warned her that there is a good chance her entire system might be nothing more than a paperweight now.

[Sumgai]

It's looking like a burnt up motherboard, and by the sounds of that system, that means a total upgrade.

[JazzyJake]

by total upgrade you must mean a new computer, lol
there's really no point for anyone to go from agp->agp

[whitecree]

(big sigh)

I began to suspect a completely toasted mobo when the video didn't go looking for a new output.

Hmmm, I guess I could give the brat my current system, and build myself an uber-system, eh?

[JazzyJake]

yea, decisions like that are super-painful, eh?

[fps justin]

Originally Posted by JazzyJake

by total upgrade you must mean a new computer, lol
there's really no point for anyone to go from agp->agp

it's time for an upgrade anyways.