Video Or Motherboard

[rebrockmusic]

2 part ? - I have no video. I know it's not the monitor or the hard drive, all have been tested on other computers. The video card is intergrated in the motherboard. So how can I test it. And if it is how can I put in another one? The board only has the off white color slots. Not the real small one that most have for a video card. All so how can I make sure its not the motherboard?

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

The easiest way to test the video is to buy or borrow a PCI video card and try it in your machine. If it works, it isn't a problem with your motherboard. If it doesn't, you will need to post a lot more info about your system so we can help you do some problem solving.

The more info you can give us, the more likely we can help you figure out the problem. At a minimum, what version of Windoze are you using? What is your computer brand if it is a branded computer, also model number? What is you computer speed, RAM, and so on.....??

[rebrockmusic]

The model is a stupid gateway. 1998. I can't try a new video card because I see no slot. I was going to use a card from another machine of mine, but the slots in the gateway are too big. 98 windows

[Budfred]

It sounds like it doesn't have an AGP slot which is what most computers use today, but it probably has PCI slots and you can find PCI video cards pretty easily and cheaply.

http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&order=PRICE&submit=list&catalog=48&description=&srchFor=PCI

Again, if you need more help you need to tell us a lot more about your system. Even telling us the model number of your Gateway would go a long way toward being able to figure out what is in it and offer assistance. Your choice....

[rebrockmusic]

That's it. Which is better? I know more about programing and software than anything else. I'm starting to learn the hardware now.
Thanks for your help.

[Budfred]

I don't know enough about video cards to give you much help there. If you just want a basic card, I would get one with 32meg or 64meg. However, the main reason I am suggesting it right now is to find out if the onboard video is the problem. If you get a video card and it doesn't work, it would suggest that something else is the problem and more troubleshooting will be needed. You might want to get a cheap PCI card somewhere local and then you can return it easily if it doesn't work. If it does work, you can use it or return it and get something nicer. Even better is if you know anyone that might have one you can borrow, since you only need to test for a few minutes to see if it is the problem....

[ski]

The no display problem can also be caused by a faulty CPU, bad memory, or a defective power supply(there will also be no fans and lights).

[rebrockmusic]

SEE now you've got me wondering on that issue of the power supply. I put in another CPU so I know thats not it. But the power seemed to go out for a moment and not come back on. So I took it out and tried to put in another one but the configuration of the plug ends didn't work. So I put the original back in and it started working again. The computer in question is a Gateway model no. 0010312141 I don't know how I'm going to test the power supply with out kissing Gateways butt and get them to do it for me.

[ski]

If you have a voltmeter or know someone who does, then the PS can be easily checked.
Make sure it's connected to the MB, and the system is powered up.
Then, check the leads at the back of the main PS connector where it connects to the MB. It should read the following:
-Yellow and black wire: +12 volts
-Red and black: +5 volts
-Orange and black: +3.3 volts

If any of the readings are much below the above, then replace the PS.