Member Avatar for Martin_23

Hi, I'm going to see one of our sites tomorrow and been asked to look at a PC that isn't working. I dont have long there so wondered if anyone had any tips for what i should try to do/test when I do get there. I even sent them a new monitor with computer built in but aparently the same thing is happening on that PC. The problem has been described to me as... 'Just connected it all up and its still not working, it keeps saying monitor going to sleep, on the set up menu it just says no signal and then shuts down'.
Appreciate any ideas or suggestions on what tests (however simple) i should try as it isnt an area I am experianced in. Thanks

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by peter_62

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A concise, prioritized on‑site plan for the symptom described by and the follow‑up from . Because a replacement monitor behaves the same, the fault is most likely in the PC. The quickest useful split is: (A) display appears for POST/BIOS then goes away later (driver/GPU or power issue), or (B) no display at all from power‑on (cable, port, GPU/motherboard, or PSU issue). Tests below are ordered for a short visit.

  1. Note whether any BIOS/POST text or manufacturer logo appears.
  2. Try a different cable and a different input on the monitor; confirm the monitor input selector is correct.
  3. Confirm which video output is being used: onboard header versus discrete GPU ports. If a discrete card is present, test the monitor on the card’s port. This ties to @rproffitt’s example where the wrong port hides video after the OS takes over.
  4. With power off, reseat the GPU and check PCIe power leads (6/8‑pin). Inspect GPU fans for movement when powered.
  5. Boot to Safe Mode or a Linux live USB to see if the display remains stable; a display that works in Safe Mode but not normal boot points to driver/software issues.
  6. Minimal boot: one RAM stick, GPU removed (use onboard VGA/HDMI if available), no drives — useful to isolate motherboard/PSU failures.
  7. Listen for beep codes or check motherboard POST LEDs and note any amber/red indicators.

Cautions and practical notes: always power down and unplug before reseating components to avoid damage or ESD. For a short visit, bring a spare monitor, known‑good cables/adapters, a small toolkit, and a USB stick with GPU drivers and a bootable rescue image.

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Member Avatar for rproffitt

My favorite was.... The PC had onboard and a graphics card. They plugged it into the motherboard and it would boot, show the BIOS, Windows splash screen and then go blank. I bet you know why by now.

Member Avatar for peter_62

You will give me some useful information

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