Member Avatar for brokar

Had an old server donated to my church that had the DBAN program ran on it. Now when trying to install Server 2000 the monitor is black. How can I install?

  • 3 Contributors
  • 16 Replies
  • 272 Views
  • 4 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by brokar

Dani AI

Generated

DBAN only wipes disk contents; it does not erase BIOS/firmware or the video hardware. A black screen from initial power‑on is therefore almost always a hardware/firmware/display-path issue rather than a disk problem. ’s notes (monitor goes green then amber, “no signal,” and a normal POST beep) mean the system is powering and at least some POST checks are happening, but the video signal never stabilizes.

Suggested quick triage (in order):

  1. Confirm the monitor and cable are good — swap the monitor and VGA/DVI cable to a known‑working PC. Check the monitor’s input selector.
  2. Try a different video output: if the board has onboard video and a spare PCI/AGP slot is available, install a known‑good video card (as @Bob_180_Bob recommended). If the machine already has a card, remove it and test onboard output if present. Always power down and ground before fitting hardware.
  3. Minimal boot: power with only PSU, CPU, one RAM stick, and video (no drives, no extra cards). Listen for POST beeps and note any beep patterns (these point to specific faults per the motherboard manual).
  4. Clear CMOS/BIOS settings: with power removed, remove the battery or use the clear‑CMOS jumper for 10–30 seconds to restore defaults (this can re‑enable onboard VGA if disabled).
  5. Check for remote console/serial redirect: many older servers have a management or serial console that can suppress local VGA. Inspect back panel for a dedicated mgmt port or try a serial console at common settings (e.g., 9600, 8N1) using a laptop.

If all of the above still yields no picture, the video subsystem or motherboard is likely faulty and needs replacement. Given the age of Server 2000 hardware, a borrowed/test video card (or obtaining the board’s service manual to read beep codes) is the fastest way to confirm the fault.

Recommended Answers

All 16 Replies

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi,
When you got to the part of the installation that asked where do you want to install, did you ask it to format that drive/partition?
Here is a good site for the installation, see if you have anything different.

Do you have access to another PC with access to the net where you can download a program and format the PC before you even start to do the install?

Member Avatar for brokar

The monitor screen is black from the moment I boot up, so I am unable to even begin to do a reinstall. I do have access to the internet from other PCs

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi,
I asked you "When you got to the part of the installation that asked where do you want to install, did you ask it to format that drive/partition?"
Did you go to this site ---
Dir you find anything you did wrong?
I know you do have access to another PC to access the internet or you could not post here, but I asked "can you download a program to format the PC"
If you can, find one, download it, run it on your PC, format your PC and reinstall Windows.

Member Avatar for brokar

I haven't gotten to the format question b/c when I first turn the system on, the monitor screen is black. I did check the recommended website and it really didn't apply since I can't even get started with the reinstall. I will search for a reformat program to download. Any suggested programs? Thank you.

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi,
Not knowing you knowledge, this has a very good instructions and will do the job for you, go to:-
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
Download, make a CD and run in your PC

Member Avatar for brokar

Thank you. I will give that a try this evening.

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

We are having a communications problem, let me try again.
1. When you did install windows on the PC that now only has a black screen when you try and boot. Did you tell the PC to format the drive/partition where you wanted to windows installation to go? That is , did you click on the button "Format and install" or the button "leave" (something like that) Quote "When you got to the part of the installation that asked where do you want to install, did you ask it to format that drive/partition?"
2. Then I asked you to go to a site that tell you how to install 2000 and read how to install. and I asked you if you did as instructed there or did you do something different. Quote "Here is a good site for the installation, see if you have anything different."
3. As you are posting here, I know that you do have access to a PC to access the internet. But I asked if you could use that PC to download and make a CD. Quote "Do you have access to another PC with access to the net where you can download a program and format the PC before you even start to do the install?"
Now I am willing to help you as much as I can, but please read what I post and try to follow me with what I ask, OK.

Member Avatar for brokar

I don't think you are understanding what has occurred on my end. Let me start from the beginning. The company I work for donated an old server to me for my church. Prior to donation DBAN was run on the server. When they donated the server they also provided Server 2000 install disk. I am trying to install server 2000. I have just hooked all of the components up including the monitor and the monitor screen is totally black therefore I cannot even begin to reinstall. I hope this addresses your concerns as I HAVE read carefully your post.

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi,
OK totally different situation. It sounds like you are not getting any signal to your monitor. There many things that can cause this. First, open the PC and check all connections (unplug and immediately plug back in) into and out of the motherboard and other components. Remove your RAM chip/chips, clean the contacts with a pencil eraser (do not touch the contacts) and replace. Try PC again.
Is there any lights on PC when you turn it on, Power light, hard drive light, CD light, Monitor light?
Are the fans running, power supply, CPU?
Are there any beeps from PC when you turn it on?
Please tell me anything else that is happening that I have not asked about.

Member Avatar for brokar

If I unplug the monitor the "no signal" screen displays but will go away when I plug it back in. I have done as you suggested & cleaned the RAM as well as using compressed air to clean the entire machine. I have check & reseated all connections. the CPU lights up in all of the standard places including the HD & CD drive. The monitor light initially is green then goes to amber. Do you think I need a new video card?

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi,
If you have a video card, remove it and try that. If you don't have one, see if you can borrow one and try that.
What about beeps?

Member Avatar for brokar

I will have a "borrowed" video card on Friday so I will try that. As for beeps, yes it does the "standard" startup beep.

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi,
OK, so did you try taking out the card or is it an on-board video. You may have to install the new card from a CD, make sure you get that as well. Good luck, we will hear from you later.

Member Avatar for homi16

antivirus

Member Avatar for homi16

uhg

Member Avatar for brokar

It's an onboard. Should have the card tomorrow, so hopefully things will go well from there. Will post & let you know.

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.