Motherboard problem - still unsolved

[Rich H]

Hi,

This is the third time I've written to this board (thanks to everyone who helped) with the same problem, but it's still recurring.

I have built two computers, one a low-end computer using a Gigabyte Super-7 series mainboard and an AMD K-2 400. The other, which I have spent a lot of money on, is a dual celeron.

With both computers I still cannot get an output to the screen. Whenever I plug my monitor into the graphics cards in each there is no display.

Power supply seems to be working OK, CPU fans spin and peripherals (CD Tray open/shuts) work on both. The only noticable effect with the AMD computer is that the computer beeps twice, and then once after it is switched on.

What could be causing my problem?

Motherboards are all on spacers (no contact with casing). Graphics cards being used are an AGP Rage Pro (previously working) and a newly ordered PCI graphics card with an MGA chipset.

Please help as this problem is costing me a lot of time, money and stress.
I would be eternally grateful if anyone can suggest an idea I can try.

Rich

[This message has been edited by Rich H (edited 10-15-99).]

[Rich H]

One thing I forgot to ask. To test these computers I am using 64 Meg 168-pin SDRam from a computer I know to work. I do not know the speed of this RAM.

In the Gigabyte mobo instructions it says use RAM PC67-100. If the RAM that I borrowing is less than this rating, could this cause the problem?

Thanks again for anyone who might help!!

[Ygor]

Hiya Rich!
When I have seen this posted before, the main thing to check was that the ram is really seated properly. On some boards it's a real tight fit.
If that's not it, please let us know what particular motherboards and video cards you are using in which slots.

[This message has been edited by Ygor (edited 10-15-99).]

[lost1]

Like Ygor says, check the RAM. Then, double check the video card. Sometimes you really have to stand on them to get them to seat. They may LOOK seated, but usually they'll go a bit further- which makes all the difference in the world.
I fought this same problem for hours one day, and it turned out to be the video card. I was nervous about pushing real hard on it, but when you get REALLY hacked off, it doesn't matter any more! /forum/wink.gif
Good luck

[Rich H]

Thanks guys, I'll try that now and let you know in a few hours.

Please, please, please....

Rich

[Axel]

I hate to ask the obvious - but are we sure the monitor actually works and we're using the correct cable for the monitor?
Next - how do you know you aren't seeing a display - talked with a gent once who had set his font size to some astronomical number and what we were seeing is the black space in the middle of the letter N in windows - that was 3.11 however,
Has little brother been playing with the contrast & brightness?
Is there video ram on the video cards which might need to be reseated?
How was the videocard driver software installed on the system?

[bobcat]

I had a problem in which I was building 2 machines at the same time. One of the machines, everything worked. The other worked but nothing would show up on the monitor. I did various part swapping and got the mother to run. Picked the case up and moved it. Powered up and it had lost video and I couldn't get it back. Replaced the MB and no more problem.

[ram]

I have had this problem and it was the ram
I had to get a small plastic hammer and actually tap the **** ram into the connectors
Then the monitor worked. Man i pushed with all my might by hand and thought the ram seated. Was scared i was going to break the
mother board. Check out that memmory.
ram

[Susan]

I have a block of wood for such occasions when a piece of hardware is being stubborn.

It creates an even pressure, so all is needed is a little tap on the wood which reduces the risk of bending or breaking.

[Rich H]

Yeah, it was the monitor. The weird thing was I couldn't work out why it worked with one computer and not another so I eliminated that as a problem.

What had happened was that one of the monitor pins had lodged in my Banshee card (of the computer that worked) and it would make contact with the monitor, but when I plugged the lead into one of the other two computers it wouldn't (as a pin was missing!)

Not a very easy problem to discover! Still I have two working computers and one monitor in the repair shop now!

Thanks for everyone who helped.