i found a bunch of computer parts and built a computer and i have a motherboard with ati onboard video and onboard sound. The computer i found was a compac and it came with the mobo, PS, and modem. i have the rest of the parts for it the only problem i have is when i turn it on i don't get a screen its just black. i also have a s3 pci card i tried that to and still doesn't work. it has 128mb of ram, pentium 133, i have every thing conected i tried taking stuff out and putting it back in to see if it was the connection and still nothing.

Ok,

What exactly do you have? Is it basically a rebuilt Compaq or what?

Were all the parts known to be good? Seen working before you started this rebuild?

Are you getting any indication that anything is working? Do you get any beeps or noises (floppy drive or hard drive)?

Can you try the monitor on another computer to verify that it works?

Here is a troubleshooting link: Troubleshootiing (http://www.pcguide.com/ts/index-c.html)

------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

All Control Agents must memorize Rule 5 before proceding to Rule 6

i dont have a speaker but when i flip on the switch i know every thing is running because i can ethier hear it or see it. but i not so sure on the floppy drive.

[This message has been edited by BDF000 (edited 05-12-2001).]

My first guess would be a bad monitor...regardless of what parts are working, you should get SOMETHING on the screen as long as the video card is good and you have it plugged in all the way...

That's another thing to check...it's easy to think a card is in all the way, even if it isn't...plug the card straight in...don't even worry about the metal plate on the back that gets screwed into the case, until you're sure the card is full inserted...

And just as a sanity check: everything is plugged in, right?

do you need any special cable for a pci grahics card
it is a s3 64v because i have this card and the biult in ati pro agp that is intergrated in the motherboard.

Try it with only Motherboard, CPU, memory and video card. Keyboard and monitor might not be a bad idea either...If you still get no signal, reseat the memory a few times, and make sure the CPU is oriented correctly. If you get no video at this point, try it on a tabletop, if that gets a picture it's a ground problem. Get some cardboard washers from a computer shop to go between motherboard and chassis. Check all motherboard jumpers and the wires going to LED's, switches etc.

To use an add on video card you'll probably have to disable the onboard card in BIOS, and maybe by a jumper on the board as well.

This is also a Compaq. They store part of the BIOS on the hard drive, so the only way to install the OS and get the machine to run properly is to use the factory restore disk that originally came with the computer. Trying to install Windows from a retail CD will not replace the BIOS that's missing.

------------------
So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

Hi!
How many beeps do you get when you turn the computer on? Is the computer on, fan turning and hard drive spinning up or does it just hang? Please supply more info...

Monitor on but screen not?
On board video on MOBO not disabled?
When putting computer together did you at any time touch any components by hand without being earthed?
Tried monitor on another computer?
All parts tried on another computer?

Please supply as much info as possible. Possible incompatible parts...?

P.S What do you mean by "found a bunch of computer parts".

------------------
Confucious, he say, "Don't use cannon to kill mosquito.. use a nuke instead.."