Member Avatar for Brunke

i have been working on a small project for the past little while... just a P2 processor with the basics... 256ram... anyways. i just finished getting everything to work on it, then i ran windows 98 SE to upgrade.
i left the computer for approx 30 minutes while it installed... and when i came back, i had a blank black screen. tried restarting, nothing. changed video cards, changed monitors, and nothing. any ideas??
i have another mother board that i could use, but i just got this one all set up and i dont really want to have to start over again... thank you all.

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Dani AI

Generated

A concise, prioritized diagnostic plan that builds on suggestions from and and preserves the current build while isolating the fault.

  • Confirm whether the board ever reaches POST: attach or verify a chassis speaker and note any beep patterns. Beep codes are the quickest clue to failing RAM, CPU, or video.
  • Verify primary power before swapping parts: measure the ATX/Molex rails with a multimeter (rough tolerance ±5% is a useful rule of thumb). Intermittent or low rails point at the PSU or a short on the board.
  • Inspect the motherboard visually and by touch (when unplugged): look for bulging or leaking electrolytic capacitors, burned components, or loose sockets.
  • Reset BIOS/CMOS to defaults (battery removal or jumper method), then attempt POST. Corrupt BIOS settings can prevent basic initialization; clearing CMOS preserves hardware while eliminating that variable.
  • Reseat the CPU and its cooler, and check the socket for bent pins (older boards/sockets are sensitive). Test memory with a single known-good module in the primary slot and try alternate slots if available. A simple POST card or external speaker accelerates diagnosis when video output is absent.

Symptom translation: no fans/no beeps usually implicates PSU or a short; fans but no beeps often indicates CPU/BIOS/memory; beeps but no video narrows to GPU/slot/output. If the board will not POST after the above checks and a known-good PSU/CPU/RAM still fails, a board swap is the least disruptive next move to identify a failing motherboard.

Cautions and workflow notes: always work with mains disconnected, discharge the system between tests, keep track of jumper settings and connectors, and avoid BIOS reflashes unless POST evidence indicates a corrupted BIOS — reflashing can brick a board if done in haste.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for high heels

For a quick test unplug everything from the main board "all drives" and remove all but the minimum amount of ram then boot the system.

This will tell you if it is the board or if something is holding out the video.

Please let me know if you see anything on the monitor even the post screen.

Member Avatar for Brunke

right now, i have nothing at all on the screen...
thanks for the reply. to be honest, that was my first idea too... just kinda start over.

ill let you know how i make out.

thanks again

Member Avatar for sparkax

Is there an onboard graphics.?
If so try connecting monitor to that.

Member Avatar for Brunke

will do... you think something's wrong with the vid card??

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