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So, my gaming rig crashed last night when I tried to quit the game I was playing, Team Fortress 2. The screen just went black. I couldn't get task manager or anything, so I held down power & did a hard shut down. I went to bed.

Today I power up, I get the msg Windows did not shut down properly would you like to start in safe mode? normal? So, I start in normal mode. Everything looks like it's starting up fine, desktop wallpaper image even comes up (for a brief second) then...

My monitor goes black. Nothing. I can't get task mgr, or any other response from machine. I try to restart. Now monitor is getting no signal.

The monitor doesn't even show windows starting. When I try to start, I get nothing. At least there's no smoke or anything.

The pretty fan leds light up, MB goes beep beep beeeeeep, but the screen just shows black. It doesn't show any options of booting into windows at all.

Did I somehow blow my vid card?

I don't even know how to start diagnosing.


My machine has been running fine (not continuously, I mean, it IS windows... ) since I built her in 2007. I upgraded to Windows 7 from XP several months ago and have had no issues (other than that I am running an older graphic card driver, the latest drivers degrade performance unaccaptably on games I'm playing like Team Fortress 2 & Left 4 Dead 2)

HW:
PNY GeForce XLR8 8800 GTX 768MB PCIe w/Dual DVI (P56-8800 )
INTEL Core 2 Duo E6850 3GHz FSB1333MHz 4M LGA775 Retail BX80557E6850 Processor
MSI P6N SLI Platinum nForce 650i SLI Socket 775 1333MHz DDR2-1066 Motherboard
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB Kit DDR2-800 XMS2-6400 Xtreme Performance Memory
Aerocool Zerodba 620W Power Supply
Raidmax Smilodon ATX-612WB No PS Gaming Case (Black)
DVD Burner SonyNEC|AD-7170S-0B SATA

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by rch1231

Dani AI

Generated

Short version: the board is giving POST/beep clues and the next step is a methodical minimal-boot (breadboard) check — note the beep pattern, verify power and video connections, then test RAM/GPU/PSU one piece at a time. As suggested, capture the beep pattern (count long vs short, groupings) and compare it to the motherboard/BIOS beep table. (forum-en.msi.com)

Start with simple external checks first: confirm the monitor and cable are good, that the monitor is powered and set to the correct input, and that the cable is plugged into the discrete GPU output (not into the motherboard) when a GPU is installed. If possible, try a different cable or another display to rule those out. (lifewire.com)

Perform a minimal/breadboard POST test (power off and unplug before opening the case):

  1. Disconnect everything non-essential (drives, USB devices, extra cards).
  2. Leave only: motherboard, CPU + cooler, one RAM stick, PSU, and the GPU (or onboard video if the board/CPU supports it).
  3. Confirm the 24‑pin ATX and the 4/8‑pin CPU power plugs are fully seated. Reseat the RAM and test one stick at a time in the primary slot. Reseat the GPU and make sure any 6/8‑pin PCIe power connector(s) to the card are clipped in firmly.
  4. Power on and listen for change in POST/beeps; repeat with each RAM stick and slot.

These breadboarding steps and power checks are the standard way to isolate memory, GPU, or PSU faults. (forums.tomshardware.com)

If beep codes or tests point at video power (no display but POST changes when GPU removed) confirm the GPU’s external power connectors — a missing/loose 6‑pin/8‑pin will produce exactly these symptoms. If convenient, test the GPU in another machine or try a known‑good spare GPU in this board; likewise try a known‑good PSU if voltages are suspect. For the exact CMOS‑clear procedure and layout/jumper locations on your P6N SLI, follow the MSI manual before moving jumpers or removing the battery. (graphicscardhub.com)

Safety/caution: always unplug mains power, discharge capacitors (hold power button ~10–15s with PSU unplugged), and use a grounded surface or anti‑static strap when handling components. If after methodical testing there’s still no POST, the fault is likely motherboard or CPU — at that point a repair shop or RMA is the practical next step. (manualmachine.com)

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