Computer boots, no video

[halutzparilla]

i build my bro a comp,

intel 975xbx
C2D e6400
7900gs
Patriot 1gb 667
Antec Neo HE 500w

all of a sudden the comp won't run as my bro says, i'll be seeing the comp by next week...

the PSU was new, and the comp was running at good temp with all surge protector... the Dell 19" monitor was responding in self test...

but no image no sound coming out of it... i'm totally clueless... all the fan is running all lights are on... but no image/sound coming out...

i told him to reset the cmos, clean the inside, and put the memory on right spot... even reintall the heatsink (zalman 9700)... still nothing...

before this happend the monitor started flickering and it can only get fixed by restarting and reconnecting the cable of monitor...

any ideas guys... so i know where to start when i get my hands on the comp... (shipping is a hassle, and he live in NC28303)...

i was thinking that the Intel975xbx (this was modified for OC) or the eVGA 7900gs was killed when he plug it without the surge protector thats wahy the PSU was replaced...

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by halutzparilla

do anyone have an idea???

Have him unplug the computer, press the power button for 20 seconds, remove all the RAM and remove the battery on the motherboard. Wait for a minute or two then reinstall the battery, the RAM, plug the computer back in and hit the power button. Let me know if that helped any.

If this does not work, unplug the monitor connection from the computer and turn the monitor on. You should (hopefully) get a RGB screen that says that there is no input or 'feed' to the monitor. This is to ensure that it's not the monitor causing problems.

After this, I would remove the videocard and try using it on a different rig and see if it still works. Or, get a spare videocard and pop it into the computer and see if this solves the problem. To me, it almost sounds like a videocard or motherboard issue.

*EDIT* Is there no image at all on the monitor? No artifacting, dot patterns, pixelation, anything? Just a blank screen when you start the computer? You might try connecting a different monitor to the computer and see if that works. Are you able to get into Windows Safe Mode? Also, does the hard drive spin up when you turn the computer on, and do your opticals work with the power on as well (open/close the trays)?

[carpenator]

Garetjax has some very good ideas. Both the PSU and MB have capacitors on them that act like batteries. Capacitors are like really small UPS to help keep the power level. I have removed all power from a unit for 30 min before to let it bleed off and reset. A power hit can really lock a power supply up so that it will not respond. This is not the old days where you are just running a switch on a circuit.

If need be, just start removing pieces until you get a POST error. If you remove the Video card and don't get an error, than it is not getting that far. If you remove the RAM and still don't get a POST, either the speaker is dead or the Motherboard is in a world of hurt.

Just some ideas. Good Luck!

[gvblake22]

Also try simply removing the video card and reseating it in the PCI-Express slot.