I am building a Desktop system and am having problems. When I turn on the system, the cpu fan spins and the system power light stays on, but I am getting no output from my video card. I am not sure if this is an issu with the MB or overall component compatibilty. I tried the Video Card in my other system and it works, so I do not think it is the issue.

I am not sure how to determine where the problem is.

MB: ASUS NFORCE2 A7N8X-X

CPU: AMD 2600/333 ATHLON XP BARTON

Memory: DDR 512MB PC3200

Vid Card: VGA XFX|GF MX4000 128MB DDR 8X



Any advice greatly appreciated.

have you tried testing the memory.(in another machine) try other memory in your machine.
is the card seated correctly.
is the motherboard shorting on anything...(easily done).
try these then let me know

How can I test if the motherboard is shorting?

Also, I have not added a system fan, but I do have CPU heatsink and fan. Could this cause this problem?

If your unit powers up and stays on there is nothing wrong with your CPU heatsink fan. If your CPU installation were faulty, it would shut down within 5 seconds to prevent damage. The problem is also not your memory; if your memory were bad you would get crashes and constant, looping reboots.

Are you getting the normal system beeps on boot?

Reset your BIOS back to factory settings by using the jumper on the mainboard (see your handbook) or pull the BIOS battery for 1/2 hour. Sometimes the CMOS gets corrupted with handling or testing at the factory and prevents booting.

As far as testing your mainboard goes, you would have to pull it out and double check that no part of the case is touching the bottom. Also check that none of the standoffs you used are "orphans", meaning that they are not screwed into a matching mounting hole in the mainboard itself but just screwed into the case and contacting the mobo bottom.

Try this and post back with the results.

i have had this issue with no video output. and it was the memory.strangely enough it worked in another pc but not ,mine...
i replaced it with the same type and brand and it worked fine...
if you have no memory (or faulty) you will get no video full stop..... it is worth a try.

Clobber,

"No video card output" !!

What do you mean EXACTLY, do you get the "black & white" POST display ???

Or does the monitor just remain dark ??? Here I would suspect the video card.

Is it an AGP card ???

By no video out I mean that the monitor shows no input screen. Nothing shows up at all. Yes, the video card is an AGP 8x, but I ordered 2 systems. I tried the other video card and it too has no output.

I will test things and see what happens.

Thanks to all.

Clobber,

Just a thought !!!

Are you SURE your monitor is "Good" ????

Does the monitor have a small LED that changes from "yellow" to "green" when you first power up ??

HaHa!

Yes, the monitor is good. I am using it now.

I only have one monitor here, but I cold have easily missed it.

Thanks.

Clobber,

We are starting to reach the "limits of my expertise" but I still suspect the video card/cable/monitor area.

If your monitor has an LED that changes from "yellow" to "green" on start-up, then the monitor is receiving a "picture signal". I would "assume" this means that the motherboard & video card are "good" [as far as "display" goes]. There could still be a BIOS or memory "problem" BUT now I'm starting to "guess" !!!

Thanks for all your help.

Because I am building 2 identical systems at the same time, I am able to test out a few things. One of the systems is working, the other is not.

Video Card - Both a working as I have tried them in the functining version.

Monitor - Works. I use this monitor daily.

Cable - Works. I am using the same cable on both.

Motherboard - I looked and found no places where it is touching the case. I also checked to make sure I had no "orphans" as recommended.

BIOS - I followed all steps in the manual and reset the BIOS.


I am starting to beleive this may be the motherboard. I am going to try swapping memory next, but after that I do not know where to go.

Thanks again and any additional rec's appreciated.

One thing I forgot to ask: on boot are you getting the normal system beeps, usually one or two, or nothing?