Member Avatar for Acouwaila

Hi, i have started building my first computer yesterday with the following...

AMD athlon 64 3200+ CPU
Corsair dual channel 512x2 (whatever lol)
Asus a8n-e mobo
nvidia 6200 OC PCI video card
Seagate HD SATA
X-Infinity case

Anywho, After installing everything, I turn the computer on and the LED's light up everywhere they should, the fans run....but the monitor does not detect any signal...if u press a button on the monitor it says "power save mode move mouse press key" etc. but doing that does nothing... Probably considering that the monitor says that even when its not connected to the computer.

The bulb on the mobo is lit...i think that ensures the mobo is fine......is there any chance it could be the CPU not installed correctly?

what else could it be?

  • 2 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 118 Views
  • 1 Day Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by DMR

Dani AI

Generated

Quick, practical checklist for a new build that powers on but shows "no signal." Based on 's notes (CPU reseat, cooler/thermal compound, multiple cards/slots tested) and 's monitor-swap suggestion, the goal is to isolate whether this is a power/POST/compatibility issue or a defective part.

  1. Minimal-boot first: remove everything nonessential (drives, USB, extra cards). Leave CPU, one known-good stick of RAM (try each slot), PSU, and the video card only. Power on and watch for any POST activity or beep codes.
  2. Add a speaker or use the board's POST LEDs: audible beeps or status LEDs pinpoint RAM/CPU/graphics problems. A totally silent system that still powers fans usually means a pre-POST fault.
  3. Inspect CPU/socket and cooler: remove the cooler and look for bent pins, debris, or damaged contacts. Reseat the CPU carefully and reapply thermal compound; incorrect seating or bent pins commonly stop POST.
  4. Power supply check: fans can run while rails are marginal. Test with a known-good PSU or a PSU tester — GPUs need stable 12V rails. Also confirm the CPU 4/8-pin and main ATX connectors are fully seated.
  5. Video card and cabling: ensure the card is fully seated and any supplemental power is connected; try different cables and input types on the monitor and verify the monitor input selection. If the motherboard has onboard video, try that as an alternative (if applicable).
  6. CMOS reset and memory testing: clear CMOS with jumper or remove the battery, then try single-stick RAM in the recommended slot. Bad RAM or corrupted BIOS settings can give no-video symptoms.
  7. BIOS/CPU compatibility: if the CPU is newer than the board's shipped BIOS, the system may power but will not POST. Options are to flash the BIOS using a known-compatible CPU, use the vendor's update service, or request RMA support — do not attempt to flash blindly without stable power and correct procedure.

Most failures fall into PSU, CPU/socket damage, or BIOS/compatibility. Work the steps in order to avoid unnecessary part swaps; if there is still zero POST activity after these checks, the motherboard or CPU is likely defective and replacement or professional diagnostics will be required.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for Acouwaila

The CPU wasn't installed correctly. However, I did reinstall it with thermal compound in between it and the fan, but the monitor still gets no signal w hatsoever from the computer. Alternative video cards were tried and still no signal. DIfferent PCI slots were used and still no signal. Can anyone please help?

Member Avatar for DMR

Swapping monitors with another computer will give you the definitive word on where the problem lies. If the monitor from the newly-built computer doesn't work on the second computer, but the second monitor does work on the newly-built computer, chances are pretty damn good that the monitor is duff.

Member Avatar for Acouwaila

I have tried my computer on 3 different monitors, none of which work. The techs are telling me to check teh BIOS on my mobo and my CPU. I know the BIOS on my mobo is 1008, I have to find the revision of my AMD athlon 3200+ before i Know the BIOS on that....They listed certain revision numbers that should be compatible witht he motherboard, and they said if it isnt, then I need to flash the BIOS which i do not know how to do yet. I am going to get on the phone wtih them again shortly.

Member Avatar for DMR

I have to find the revision of my AMD athlon 3200+ before i Know the BIOS on that....

CPUs don'thave a BIOS of their own; the reason you need the CPU's revision number is to check it against Asus' BIOS/CPU compatibility list for the A8N-E mobo. Judging from a quick glance at that list, it appears to me that only rev.E4 of the 3200+ CPU requires the newest (v.1010) BIOS; your techs should be able to verify that for you.

Preliminary information on flashing to BIOS v.1010 can be found . If you do have to upgrade the BIOS, please pay attention to the fact that the instructions indicate that you need to update the motherboard chipset drivers to v6.65 before updating the BIOS.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.