No Picture When PC boots Need Help!

[alexanderb_rca]

I have an old Gateway E-1200 when I turn it on it seems to run fine. However there is no picture on the monitor. I know the hard drive works because I have tested it in other PCs and the monator works. This PC has a built in graphics card. What should I do?


Alexander_b

[ski]

Do a barebones by installing only the power supply, MB, CPU, memory, video card, monitor, and keyboard, and make sure the power supply's voltage selector switch is set to the correct voltage and the PS connection to the MB is securely seated.
If there's a display, then reinstall all other components one at a time until the problem resurfaces. The last component installed is the probable cause.

If there's no display with the barebones, then make sure the 'Clear CMOS' MB jumper is not in the 'Clear' position.
If it's ok, then clear CMOS either with the MB jumper, or by removing the CMOS battery for at least 30 minutes.
If no luck, then replace the CMOS battery.

If no luck, then place the MB on a piece of cardboard. If there's now a display, then the MB is shorting out when installed in the case. Check for a loose screw, standoff, etc., inside the case, and also remove any standoffs which do not line up with MB holes. If none is found, then remove all MB screws and metal standoffs, and install paper washers(manila folder paper works good for this) between the MB and the screws/standoffs.

If there's no display with the MB placed on a piece of cardboard, then proceed with the following:

(1) Test the PS as described here:
http://www.ochardware.com/articles/psuvolt/psuvolt2.html
If you do not have a voltmeter, then try a different PS.

(2) If the PS voltages are ok or there's no display with a different PS, then remove and reinsert the memory a few times making sure it's firmly seated.
If no luck, then clean the memory contacts with a soft eraser, and then with 91% pure(or higher) alcohol and a soft, lint-free cloth.
If no good and there's more than 1 RAM module installed, then install only 1 module at a time in each of the slots. If there's no display when a specific module is installed in any of the slots, then that module is probably bad. If there's no display when any module is installed in a specific slot, then that slot is probably bad.
If there's no display after doing the above with the RAM, then check it by running memtest86 on each module one at a time. If it fails, then swap it out.
If the RAM is ok, then either the MB and/or the CPU may be bad.

[Vallan]

Just a suggestion...Are you sure the monitor is properly connected, turned on, and the contrast adjustment is correct? (Don't laugh - I've made this mistake. Okay, you can laugh.)

You can always pick up an inexpensive PCI videocard. They come with good directions. Just put it in a PCI slot and use that instead of the onboard.

Just call me master of the obvious...

[Sylvander]

"when I turn it on it seems to run fine. However there is no picture on the monitor"
Do you normally hear a single short beep at startup toward the end of the POST?
Do you still hear that beep or not?