Black Screen..Please help

  • Thread starter Thread starter DEB
  • Start date Start date
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DEB

A few days ago I updated system from 98se to WinXP pro:
ASUS PV133 pent 111 added 128 mg ram to total 256.
Reinstalled a few programs winzip, update graphic and
sound driver, office xp pro etc.
Now system will turn on, the fan is running but the bios
screen doesn't even come up, the screen is black. I
replaced video card, changed mb battery, unhooked all
components. changed ribbons. I'm hoping it's not the
motherboard or the processor. How can I tell? Maybe there
is something else I could try!!
Also now my other PC with winxp pro has black screen
after I put the video card and memory back in!

Thanks In Advance.....
..
 
You may have already tried this as you stated.

Pull out all the cards including video.
Disconnect all drives as well from the IDE (UDMA)
channels.
You will know if you posted without the video by the
audiable beep(s).

The only things you want installed are Processor and
Ram.I would pull them out and reseat them to be sure.

If it does not post properly in this configuration then
you may have a bad component such as ram, processor or
motherboard. Another culprit could be the power supply.
 
Have you had any storms within the past couple of weeks?
Was the computer plugged in to a good surge strip with
phone cable modem protection? Did you disable the onboard
video jumper on the motherboard. Also with Pentium lll
computers very important when using a surge strip . Leave
plugged into wall however turn the power strip OFF. Leave
computer plugged in for grounding. Pentium ll
motherboards always supply power to the PCI Slots on most
top of the line motherboards. Using this method provides
protection BE CERTAIN STRIP IS OFF.

Unplug all cables other than video,Mouse and keyboard
from the computer restart do you see your logo(generally
this is called posting). If not open the case back up
being certain power and surge strip are off. unplug the
IDE cables from the motherboard. Donot touch motherboard.
Gently pull on cable and it will come ot of slot. cables
only go in one way. Note which cable is where. Usually I
use a yellow sticker on my HD cable which tells me this
went to IDE Slot 1. Now with cables unstalled. try
starting the computer again if it posts more than likely
you have a hardrive bad connector cable. Also make sure
all your cables are inserted the right way.


Another suggestion is try the video card in another slot
if PCI. IF AGP and there is another AGP Slot available
try the next slot.

If this does not work replace the motherboard they are
usually not expensive. If you did have a surge the VR
circuit may have been damage and in that case no video
card will work.
 
Just because fan spins does not mean sufficient voltage is
present. Until you measure DC voltages with a multimeter,
then you don't have any idea which components are and are not
functional. If those voltmeter readings lie properly in spec,
then you have established the first known good part to your
system - power supply. Next step would be to do what Ron
Rector recommended. The system only needs speaker, CPU,
motherboard, and power supply to get a response on that
speaker. No memory, keyboard, video controller, or memory
sticks (RAM) is required. If that speaker beeps, then you
have a known good system. A system that can be slowly built
up by adding components (add components only with power cord
completely removed from wall.

Forget any myth about power strip surge protectors being
necessary or related to your problem. Surges occur typically
once every 8 years. They did not damage your system. And
that power strip would only make it easier for a surge to find
a destructive path through your computer. Your first step is
to confirm that voltages exist, in spec, from that power
supply. Reading on that essential 3.5 digit multimeter are
listed in table in:
http://www.hardwaresite.net/faqpowersupply.html

Essential are voltages on red, orange, and yellow wires; and
that voltage on gray wire exceed 2 volts only when power is
turned on.
 
Take out the extra 128MB you put in and see if it boots normally. I have seen
many computers freeze up because of incorrect RAM amounts. Do you know
specifically that your computer can TAKE 256MB RAM? Is it the same speed RAM as
what was already there? Make sure the memory is properly seated in the slots.

TJ
 
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