PnP MONITOR ERROR ... HELP!!!

[mikio]

i've already read the Sticky archive files on 'Please check signal cable' so please suggest the not-so-obvious methods of fixing the problem. thanx a bunch in advance!

here's what i've done thusfar:

1. disconnected all cables, internally and externally from motherboard
2. checked all cables, and pins to video card, with no signs of damage
3. dusted and checked motherboard for signs of burn outs and saw none
4. reconnected all cables, internally and externally back to motherboard
5. turned on monitor, which worked initially, and now error appears!!!

here's what happened before error:

1. when i turned on my PC it buzzed like some sort of warning signal
2. i've never heard it buzz before and i built it from scratch a year ago
3. i rebooted and the same buzzing sound occurred so i disconnected
4. i shutdown hard, which i normally don't do, but i didn't have a choice
5. my PC had been idle for 2 mths so i figured something was ajarred
6. i checked internally and externally but all components seemed OK
7. i rebooted, no more buzzing sound, but now the monitor error!!!

what the heck am i overlooking?

mikio ("\*-*/")

MOTHERBOARD: BARTON N2U400-A
PROCESSOR: AMD ATHLON XP 2700+
OS: MICROSOFT WIN XP PRO SP2
GRAPHIC CARD: GEFORCE 6600 GT
PRO SOUND CARD: EMU 0404/16:8
POWER SUPPLY: ANTEC SP-500W
HARD DRIVE 1: SEAGATE 250GB
HARD DRIVE 2: SEAGATE 150GB
CD-ROM & BURNER: PIONEER
DVD-ROM & BURNER: HP PLUS
MONITOR 1: DIGIVIEW 19" (PnP)
MONITOR 2: SHARP 2005FP (Portrait)
MONITOR 3: DIGIVIEW 19" (PnP)

monitor 1 is the problem monitor.

monitor 2 and 3 are not connected, nor have they been setup to run simultaneously for the past 2 mths.

off to bed, pls advise all you can!

[azzey]

Okay. What is the exact error message?

First check that your CPU fan spins up when you turn on the PC. Can you describe the beeps? Wast it one long beep, or several short ones (long-short-long) etc.

[mikio]

Please check the signal cable (appears in orange box)

Mike i've tried 2 other power cables and still no resolution

as for my CPU fan it's running fine and A-OK as usual

my power fan is running well too, one of the two at least (the second one only kicks in when my system needs additional cooling off, great feature)

the beep was long, and i now recall another message appearing before the sig error, something about my keyboard being disconnected (news to me)

well, it was and i fixed the problem by reconnecting it

by habit, i shutdown, rebooted, and then the 'sig' error

subsequently i shutdown again to check internal components

everything looked fine but for HD2 being disconnected

i had disconnected it because my OS wasn't recognising it

after the virus attack i probably reconnected the HDs in the wrong power cable sequence, and that's on me, i can never remember the order

now i have two problems and i can't troubleshoot either because i can't get my system to bootup on screen, i hope i don't need a new CPU

[azzey]

The beep indicates that the POST is running, but failing. A long beep is usually the CPU fan or RAM. Check to make sure that everything is seated properly.

Also, reset the CMOS using the jumper, and replace the CMOS battery with a CR2032 or equivalent button cell battery for good measure.

[mikio]

hi Mike i want to double check with you first re: your CMOS advice

here's what my motherboard manual states concerning how to clear it

USE THE JUMPER TO CLEAR THE CONTENTS OF THE CMOS MEMORY. YOU MAY NEED TO CLEAR THE CMOS MEMORY IF THE SETTINGS IN THE SETUP UTILITY ARE INCORRECT AND PREVENT YOUR MAINBOARD FROM OPERATING. (sounds like my problem) TO CLEAR THE CMOS MEMORY, DISCONNECT ALL THE POWER CABLES FROM THE MAINBOARD AND THEN MOVE THE JUMPER CAP INTO THE 'CLEAR' SETTING FOR A FEW SECONDS.

1. how is this going to work if i have my computer is off?
2. it says disconnect ALL power cables, to me that's everything!
3. does the button battery work as a generator of sorts?
4. if so, i can see how this process would work, or am i wrong?
5. regardless, i'll need a day to pickup the button battery
6. take your time in responding, and thanks again for doing so!

[azzey]

Disconnect the power cable on the rear of the computer, and open up the case. Look for a small button cell battery, and somewhere near it there should be a jumper labelled "CMOS_CLEAR" or "C_CMOS", or something like that. Put the jumper in the 'clear' position for a couple of seconds. Then, pop the button cell battery out and replace it.

If you can't get a replacement battery, then wait until you can. If you want, you can try to boot without a battery.

The CMOS battery supplies a small charge to the CMOS chip (where the BIOS is stored) and keeps the custom settings from being erased. CMOS memory is like RAM in that it must have a charge supplied to maintain the data.

Sometimes the CMOS data becomes corrupt, or the battery runs out and the CMOS data becomes deleted. I've seen my share of plenty of weird things happen when the battery goes dead or the CMOS becomes corrupted. This is usually one of the first troubleshooting steps since it is easy to do and is fairly cheap.

[mikio]

how do i remove the battery from the prong-like pins?

there are 5, 4 of which curve around the battery snugly.

i don't want to force it with pliers, but maybe i should?

:(

hey Mike any help on this would be great, i feel stupid!

[mjc]

The weirdest stuff I've seen is when the battery is not quite completely dead...it holds just enough charge to royally mess everything up.

The batteries are now very common and available almost anywhere watch-type batteries are sold (heck even some car dealers carry them, because it is the same battery used in the fancy key chains that many new cars come with)

[azzey]

hey Mike any help on this would be great, i feel stupid! Nah, you shouldn't feel stupid. We're all here to help out.

You can try to use a screwdriver, just don't apply too much force. But also don't be afraid to push a little bit--it'll be stronger than you think. That is a way to get the battery out, since it is meant to be replaced.

If you still have the motherboard manual, it might have instructions on how to do it.

[mikio]

i know to reconnect the power cable,

but do i boot up or is there more to do?

thanks for welcoming my questions!

[mikio]

do i replace the jumper to its original position AFTER i replace the battery and before i reboot, or AFTER i reboot per your instructions?

[mikio]

hey Mike i did what you said

i cleared CMOS n replaced battery

but still monitor reads sig error

also buzzes like never before

nor can i shutdown soft like before

seems to be more probs now

any suggestions on what to do?