Troubleshooting Graphics card

[Montempeaux]

I was using my computer last night and had to restart it due to a problem with the internet connection. When I restarted the computer it was no longer communicating with the monitor - it helpfully says it is getting no signal. Everything else appears (and sounds) to be normal, connections/cables were not moved but I checked than anyway - seem fine. Mobo has lights on it which suggest it is fine. Fans and internal mood lighting (funky:D) all operate. So my first guess is the graphics card. My Mobo doesn't have a connector for the monitor (no on-board graphics?) so I'm not sure if I can bypass the card.

 

How can I tell if it is the graphics card?

If I install a new card, how can I install the drivers considering I cannot see the screen? (do they operate with basic functions without the driver?)

 

Your help and expertise is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

M

[Dalo Harkin]

This could be a number of things -

a graphics card will run with basic settings (you can install the driver later on in windows) it may be at 800x600 :D

If there is no signal - do you not even get the BIOS script (the white writing on the black background?)

[Montempeaux]

I turn on the mains - monitor comes on with message no signal - all normal. Then when I turn on the PC, nothing changes. No input from the PC at all.

 

M

[Dalo Harkin]

Do you know anyone that you could borrow a Graphics card or a monitor from so you can eliminate one of the two?

[Montempeaux]

I can probably borrow the bits I need from work. The main problem is that I can now only access the internet at work so I was trying to build up a list of things to try after swapping the monitor and GC (assuming they don't work).

 

M

[Dalo Harkin]

To be honest if you cannot even see the BIOS post then there is not much else it can be - try the Monitor first and see whats what

[Montempeaux]

I didn't get a chance to test the card or monitor last night but I did fire up the machine and I'm now a bit more concerned about the Mobo. All the fans and lights seem to be working but there is no beep on start-up. With my limited knowledge I recall this tells you what the Mobo is up to. No beep indicates total failure? Is this correct? Is there any way to test this theory?

 

Thanks

 

M

[Dalo Harkin]

No - the MOBO only beeps when there are problems.

if the lights and the fans are going then 99% of the time its all ok :)

 

test with a monitor and GPU and come back to us, and we can go from there.

[Montempeaux]

T'was the graphics card. I poached the one out of my old PC and it is working.

 

Thanks for the help

 

M

[Dalo Harkin]

Glad it's all sorted :)

 

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