Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of ccchelp
ccchelp

asked on

Compaq PC Boots But No Video Output

I have a Compaq Presario S4020WM pc. The Compaq PC will boot up, but will not display any video. It stays on as long as I don't turn it off. I installed a nVIDIA Geforce PCI video card to see if the integrated motherboard video card was shot. I did not get any video from the nVIDIA either. My question is, Is there any way that I can force video to the PCI card and does the lack of video signal from the integrated video card means that it is shot?
SOLUTION
Avatar of Twisted_Logic
Twisted_Logic
Flag of United States of America image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Try resetting the cmos. Take the battery out of the motherboard for a couple of seconds, and place it back in and then try again.
Avatar of a0vanc01
a0vanc01

Have you checked the connections to the monitor?  You also may want to try another monitor to make sure that it is the card.  Also did you check the minimum power output needed for the card before inserting it?  You may want to check the motherboard to make sure you haven't blown any of the capacitors.  If you have they will be raised like this:

This is an extreme depiction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vp6_blown_capacitor.jpg

Avatar of ccchelp

ASKER

@ Twisted Logic - I do not get any video before the POST. Yes I have tried a couple of monitors, but I will try one more just to be sure. Thanks

@ fluk3d - I will reset the CMOS and let you know how it goes... Thanks

@a0vanc01 - I will check the minimum power output needed and see if they are in the same realm. Also I check the motherboard for any blown capacitors.

Thanks guys for your replies and will test these out and let you know how it goes.
Are you sure it is booting and not just running? There is a difference. If it's booting you should see some activity on the hdd access led. It should be blinking.
Avatar of nobus
my suggestion is to reduce the system to minimum setup : only mobo, cpu, 1 ram stick, video card, keyb+mouse to avoid devices blocking the system.
you can also swap devices : ram cards
Hello CCCHelp,

You have been given some very good suggestion from our EE members.  Nobus suggestions would be the first that implement as they will lead you to a 'base line' or the minimum hardware configuration where 'things' are working; This is a major position to be at.  The key here is that you should see something at POST if not, then the battle starts there.

Something to watch for.  When you power up the system, the most monitors have a LED on the front.  Generally this LED is AMBER and after a few second (Less then 10) it will turn GREEN or BLUE depending on the manufacture.  The POST process is to first test basic CPU functions, then Memory then initialize the video, this is when the LED changes color.  It would be key to know if this process does in fact occur.  If not, then reduce the hardware to the bare minimum.

If you do see some sort of POST or vendor splash screen, and nothing after, then you may want to download Bart's PE Bootabled CD to see if you have a Windows driver or Windows OS corruption issue - this path is only taken if you see something in the POST.

Rojosho...
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial