Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
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If you have expansion cards installed, remove them one by one. Remove
all but the video adapter. If the motherboard has embedded video, tem-
porarily connect your display to it and remove the video card as well. At-
tempt to start the system after you remove each card. If the system starts,
the card you just removed is causing the problem. Try a different card, or
install that card in a different slot.
• Remove and reseat the memory modules, examining them to make sure
they are not damaged, and then try to start the system. If you have two
memory modules installed, install only one of them initially. Try it in both
(or all) memory slots. If that module doesn't work in any slot, the module
may be defective. Try the other module, again in every available memo-
ry slot. By using this approach, you can determine if one of the memory
modules or one of the slots is defective.
Use New Thermal Goop
Every Time
Before you reinstall the CPU, always
remove the old thermal compound
and apply new compound. You can
generally wipe off the old compound
with a paper towel, or perhaps by
rubbing it gently with your thumb.
(Keep the processor in its socket while
you remove the compound.) If the
compound is difficult to remove, try
heating it gently with a hair dryer.
Never operate the system without the
CPU cooler installed.
• Remove the CPU cooler and the CPU. Check the CPU to make sure there
are no bent pins. If there are, you may be able to straighten them using a
credit card or a similar thin, stiff object, but in all likelihood you will have to
replace the CPU. Check the CPU socket to make sure there are no blocked
holes or foreign objects present.
• Remove the motherboard and verify that no extraneous screws or other
conductive objects are shorting the motherboard to the chassis. Although
shaking the case usually causes such objects to rattle, a screw or other
small object may become wedged so tightly between the motherboard
and chassis that it will not reveal itself during a shake test.
•
If the problem persists, the most likely cause is a defective motherboard.
Problem: The system seems to start normally, but the display remains black.
• Verify that the display has power and the video cable is connected. If the
display has a non-captive power cable, make sure the power cord is con-
nected both to the display and to the wall receptacle. If you have a spare
power cord, use it to connect the display. Make sure that the correct in-
put is selected. Many displays have VGA, DVI, and/or HDMI connectors on
them. Ordinarily, the display detects which input is receiving a video sig-
nal and selects it automatically. If that doesn't work, use the manual input-
select button on the display to select the active source.
• Verify that the brightness and contrast controls of the display are set to
midrange or higher.
• Disconnect the video cable and examine it closely to make sure that no
pins are bent or shorted. Note that the video cable on some analog (VGA)
displays is missing some pins and may have a short jumper wire connect-
ing other pins, which is normal. Also check the video port on the PC to
make sure that all of the holes are clear and that no foreign objects are
present.
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If you are using a standalone video adapter in a motherboard that has
embedded video, make sure the video cable is connected to the proper
video port. Try the other video port just to make sure. Most motherboards
with embedded video automatically disable it when they sense a video
