Broke video card?

[rjlohan]

On me other PC, my monitor has mysteriously stopped working...

It was fine, then I had to take off the case to find out why my freakin' USB ports wouldn't work (which is another issue I shall get to... ), and when I put it back on, I have now lost
CPU->Monitor signal...

I tried a different monitor, which is the one I'm using now, and it showed a "No Signal" message, which usually means I have the PC turned off, or it isn't getting a signal...

What could the bloody problem be? I gather the other monitor itself is OK...

Oh, and yes, the PC is on...

[JungleMan]

Are you getting any beep signals that you could possibly look up in your motherboard manual or computer manual (if it's a prebuilt)?

Is there another PC you could test the video card in? Or is it integrated video...

I don't want to say this is for sure but it might be a motherboard problem. What exactly did you touch/do inside the computer case?

[rjlohan]

No, no beeps... well none I can hear anyway...

All I did when I opened it was check the flat parallel cabling from the USB port to the motherboard. It was fine, so I turned on the PC, and the monitor didn't work...

The only bad thing I did was open the case with a magnetic-tipped screwdriver, which is the pissiest little magnet, and it only touched the case, so I don't think that would have affected it.
(I didn't know it was magnetic until afterwards...)

[JungleMan]

Originally posted by rjlohan
flat parallel cabling from the USB port to the motherboard

Erm, wait a minute...these USB ports aren't integrated onto the board itself?

Exactly what's your setup? I've never used any flat parallel cabling, unless you're counting those useless USB expansion thingies that come with some mobos..

Sadly I think it's more of a board issue than it is video card. Can't be sure though...swapping in another video card isn't an option?

[rjlohan]

I don't know much about hardware stuff. I'm reluctant to swap video cards, in case I break my good one...
And no, the USB ports are on a separate board. They have a cable goes to the motherboard...
There's also a couple of those round mouse ports on there too. One's labelled "Mouse" the other is "IR" I think - I can't read the second one properly...

[JungleMan]

Originally posted by rjlohan
I don't know much about hardware stuff. I'm reluctant to swap video cards, in case I break my good one...
And no, the USB ports are on a separate board. They have a cable goes to the motherboard...
There's also a couple of those round mouse ports on there too. One's labelled "Mouse" the other is "IR" I think - I can't read the second one properly...

That's just strange man. Although I dont' think we need to dwell on that too much.

Perhaps your video card just needs to be re-seated. Just ground yourself, unscrew the top screw that holds it in to the slot, and pull it right out

Sounds like either your motherboard or video card.

Is the system stil warrantied?

No offense intended but your computer has quite a strange design...mouse, USB, and IR on the same card..strange.

[rjlohan]

Re-seated?

No, no warranty - it's reasonably old - Win95 was on it, so I assume it was purchased before 1998. It came from a shop that builds from various components. They're usually pretty good - my PC is from the same place.

[JungleMan]

Originally posted by rjlohan
Re-seated?

No, no warranty - it's reasonably old - Win95 was on it, so I assume it was purchased before 1998. It came from a shop that builds from various components. They're usually pretty good - my PC is from the same place.

Yeah, basically just taking it out and putting it back in again.

[scoutt]

The only bad thing I did was open the case with a magnetic-tipped screwdriver, which is the pissiest little magnet, and it only touched the case, so I don't think that would have affected it.
(I didn't know it was magnetic until afterwards...)

so, magnetic doesn't matter. I use them all the time. never had a problem. how else are you suppose to get those tiny littel damn screws from under the motherboard or pinned between stuff.

[rjlohan]

Well, I'll be ****ed. I did the reseating thing, and she works again.

Cheers.

[RyanTheWizard]

so, magnetic doesn't matter. I use them all the time. never had a problem. how else are you suppose to get those tiny littel damn screws from under the motherboard or pinned between stuff.

About magnetic screwdriver.....I spilled a bit of tea on the keyboard of my laptop and took it apart(carfully) and cleaned the tea. the tea was only in the mouse and keyboard. I used a magnetic screwdriver and took off the video card, then put it all back together. Now the display is totally buggerd. Dots and crap all over the place. I think it was cause i used the magnetic screwdriver.

P.S. I didn't realize it was a magnetic screwdriver untill 1 week later Haha

[dark_shadow]

so, magnetic doesn't matter. I use them all the time. never had a problem. how else are you suppose to get those tiny littel damn screws from under the motherboard or pinned between stuff.

magnetic certanly does matter if you get it too close there is a possability that it can fry the ram on the card ( all configurations will be lost) or the card itself its the same theory with a harddrive if you put a magnet across the hardrive it will more and likely corrupt and screw up your hardrive you have just been luckey

[Raedwulf]

Yes. possibly the video card was loose or something...I get it with my old pc all the time...the video card can't be screwed in too tight nor can it be too loose. I keep having to open it up and wiggle it back in place every time i bang the system unit...damn.

[dark_shadow]

this is an old school method but maybe the gold connectors are dirty .... take a clean white or pink eraser and clean the gold connectors i used to do it all the time and it works