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on tilt
07-04-2010, 02:11 PM
New here. I've got an issue that I can't seem to get resolved. I've read everything I can find, consulted all my tech savvy friends, and searched the internet but haven't found the solution. I'm praying that you guys can help me out. I don't want to buy a new computer since it's difficult enough to find a chipset that is compatible with some hardware/software that I am using.

Anyway..here goes. Somehow managed to get a nasty virus on my computer. I had run two different anti-spyware programs and while both claimed to catching stuff, it didn't get rid of issue. Had an issue with windows closing out, or redirected. Anyway, that's not the bad part, just how it started, I believe.

So, I'm away from my computer for a couple of days. I'm running a dual monitor set up and when I come back to it, the second screen is not working. I still haven't been able to determine if it's the video card or the monitor. So I change the display setting so that I can work on one monitor in the meantime.

The next day, I come home from work and I can't get anything on the display. I'm wondering if my video card when out. This MB doesn't have integrated video out.

At this point, I can't do anything with the computer. When I power it on, I see the windows screen briefly, and then it just goes blank. (Running XP pro by the way)

I can press F2 and get into the setup menu, but other than that, I can't do anything. I can see that the computer is recognizing the CD and HD's, but aside from the Setup menu, I can't get anything on the screen.

I didn't think it was the PCI vid card since I could see the setup menu, but I don't know if there is some default that allows it to "flow through" if the cards inoperable.

But I'm stuck. I can't get online and download drivers. I've tried reinstalling XP, but I can't get a screen to do anything. Basically, the only access I have to the computer at this point is the Setup menu. Someone mentioned that the BIOS might be corrupted, but I don't know. I can't get into the BIOS menu at all.

Unfortunately, I don't know what I did with the disks that came with it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

mjc
07-04-2010, 04:35 PM
If you can see the BIOS and POST screens your video card is working.

Can you get into Safe Mode in Windows (Hit F8 right after the BIOS/POST, before Windows starts to load)...it should be visible, because the selection screen that is brought up is in a standard VESA format and is before Windows loads any video drivers.

If you can get into Safe Mode, then try to remove the video drivers...then on rebooting it should bring up 'generic' drivers...they won't be great, but at least it would allow you to download and install the actual drivers.

on tilt
07-05-2010, 01:43 AM
Please forgive my ignorance here, but I'm not familiar with the different screen names.

When I first turn the computer on, the Windows screen with the logo comes on. Next I get a screen with text. the only thing on this screen that I remember is that it says press F2 for setup. I'll look more closely the next time I try it so I can provide more info. It's only up for a second.

I can press F2 to get to the setup menu...that's it.

I've tried F8. It doesn't work...at least not visible. I'm not sure I'm getting a signal after that point though. The green power light on my monitor stays a solid green when recieving a signal. Once I'm beyond the setup menu, it just flashes constantly.

on tilt
07-05-2010, 04:37 PM
This is the only screen I am able to pull up. Sorry it's so small, but I had to crop it pretty small to make it fit.

kiosk
07-05-2010, 07:30 PM
I've tried F8. It doesn't work...at least not visible. I'm not sure I'm getting a signal after that point though. The green power light on my monitor stays a solid green when recieving a signal. Once I'm beyond the setup menu, it just flashes constantly.

I'm speculating here, but could it be that a virus (or some other malicious program) set your screen resolution in Windows WAY beyond the capabilities of your monitor?

on tilt
07-05-2010, 07:48 PM
Interesting thought. How can I fix it?

Here's something else. I don't know if it matters but since my last post I swap out the video with another. The issue remains the same.

Thoughts?

kiosk
07-05-2010, 07:55 PM
To rule out the possibility of a hardware failure, download a Puppy Linux live CD and boot from it. I'm still not sure whether this problem is hardware or software related, but if you experience same problems in Puppy, you can safely assume that your video card went belly-up.

edit: It's possible that a virus you mentioned getting damaged and/or corrupted the firmware code on your video card, not unlike the CIH virus disaster from several years ago. By all means run a Puppy live CD and post back.

on tilt
07-05-2010, 08:22 PM
To rule out the possibility of a hardware failure, download a Puppy Linux live CD and boot from it. I'm still not sure whether this problem is hardware or software related, but if you experience same problems in Puppy, you can safely assume that your video card went belly-up.

edit: for clarity

I'll give it a shot. I don't know what Puppy Linux live is, but I'm sure I can find it.

I don't know if you didn't see my previous post. I've tried two video cards so far....same results from both. I've also tried to boot from a XP install disc with no luck. But if the display settings are off, I guess it's possible that I just can't see it.

I've tried booting from disc. I've tried booting from external USB drive. I've pretty much exhausted options through the extent of my knowledge, which admittedly, isn't a lot.

I'm going to go look for puppy linux live.

on tilt
07-05-2010, 09:29 PM
OK, assuming I did everything correctly, nothing changed. I did come across something that might be relevant though.

Can PCI slots go bad?

I was looking at the system setup. Under the PCI section, I noticed something interesting. It lists them as such....

PEG
PCI SLOT 1
PCI SLOT 3
PCI SLOT 4
PCI SLOT 5
PCI SLOT 6

I don't know what PEG is. I know that this MB doesn't have integrated graphics.

And if you notice, PCI SLOT 2 is missing. Which happens to be the one that the graphics card is on. There are no other actual PCI slots but I do have some open AGP slots. So if you think it might be the problem, I can try to go pick up an AGP card tomorrow.

thoughts?

on tilt
07-05-2010, 11:24 PM
Edit: Slot 2 is a PCIe, I have no AGP slots

on tilt
07-19-2010, 08:53 PM
Can PCI slots go bad?

I was looking at the system setup. Under the PCI section, I noticed something interesting. It lists them as such....

PEG
PCI SLOT 1
PCI SLOT 3
PCI SLOT 4
PCI SLOT 5
PCI SLOT 6

I don't know what PEG is. I know that this MoBo doesn't have integrated graphics.

And if you notice, PCI SLOT 2 is missing. Which happens to be the one that the graphics card is on. There are no other actual PCI slots but I do have some open PCI slots. So if you think it might be the problem, I can try to go pick up an PCI card tomorrow.

Any of this make sense to anyone?

123456
07-19-2010, 08:58 PM
PEG is your PCIe slot.

on tilt
07-19-2010, 09:05 PM
PEG is your PCIe slot.

Right. It's a PCIe 1x slot

The slots are like this


PCIe 1x
PCIe 16x (this is where the graphics card was)
PCI
PCIe 8x
PCI
PCI