Pressing "power" for the first time...no video..

  • Thread starter Thread starter Slackeyed
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Slackeyed

I see from researching that this is a common problem, however, I
haven't found a common answer.
 
On 22 Aug 2006 07:31:00 -0700, (e-mail address removed) wrote:

Could be junk psu, bad mainboard, bad cpu, etc. If video is a
separate card, pull it and hit power. If you get no beeps, the video
isn't your problem. Probably either mainboard or power supply.
 
I see from researching that this is a common problem, however, I
haven't found a common answer.
Click to expand...

That's because video display is one of the last steps in the boot process,
and many common build problems can interrupt that process at several points
along the way. So there is no "common" answer.

In general though, the CPU needs *good power* before it will start to run
POST (from the mainboard BIOS). If certain functions check OK, POST will
finish, and then the video card will be initialized. When the video card is
initialized, you get video.

Problems that can interrupt the boot process, in order of most common to
least common:
1) Improper connections between power supply and mainboard (most
mainboards now have TWO power connections, and it's easy to forget the 2nd
one)
2) Bad power supply, or inadequate power supply (under-powered)
3) Bad RAM, or RAM needs to be reseated, or RAM is not supported by
Mainboard
4) Bad Mainboard
5) Bad CPU
6) Video card power connection not hooked up
7) Improper connections between case and mainboard
8) Bad Video Card

That's not a complete list, but probably 99.99% of boot problems can be
solved if those 8 items are resolved. -Dave
 
Mike said:
No problem
Click to expand...

I moved the RAM to the next bank over.

I moved the Vid Card to another PCI-E slot

I removed the sound card

I disconnected the optical and hard drives

Still no beep, no video, and I get the error code "CF" which means
"CMOS check"
 
I moved the RAM to the next bank over.

I moved the Vid Card to another PCI-E slot

I removed the sound card

I disconnected the optical and hard drives

Still no beep, no video, and I get the error code "CF" which means
"CMOS check"
Click to expand...

Stupid question . . . is your "clear CMOS" jumper in the "clear" position,
instead of the normal position?

If not, unplug power and make it so! Leave it that way for about 15
minutes, then set the jumper back to the normal or run position. -Dave
 
Mike, I'm 90% certain that the setting is in the "Normal" position, as
it came from the factory that way.

The computer runs in the "Clear CMOS" position? That seems
counter-intuitive, doesn't it LOL!

The manual states that "To clear the CMOS, follow the procedure below:

1. Turn off the system and unplug the AC power
2. Remove the ATX power cable from the ATX power connector
3. Locate JBAT and short pins 2-3 for a few seconds
4. Return JBAT to its normal setting by shorting pins 1-2
5. Connect the ATX power cable back to the ATX power connector

FYI
1-2 closed = normal
2-3 closed = Clear CMOS
 
Mike, I'm 90% certain that the setting is in the "Normal" position, as
it came from the factory that way.

The computer runs in the "Clear CMOS" position? That seems
counter-intuitive, doesn't it LOL!

The manual states that "To clear the CMOS, follow the procedure below:

1. Turn off the system and unplug the AC power
2. Remove the ATX power cable from the ATX power connector
3. Locate JBAT and short pins 2-3 for a few seconds
4. Return JBAT to its normal setting by shorting pins 1-2
5. Connect the ATX power cable back to the ATX power connector

FYI
1-2 closed = normal
2-3 closed = Clear CMOS
Click to expand...

No, I think you misunderstood what I was saying. If the jumper is in the
wrong position, it can give you a CMOS error, and stop the boot process.
Yes, I would hope that the jumper would come from the factory in the normal
position. But it would be a good idea to check it anyway. :) -Dave
 
Ah, ok thanks.

No, I think you misunderstood what I was saying. If the jumper is in the
wrong position, it can give you a CMOS error, and stop the boot process.
Yes, I would hope that the jumper would come from the factory in the normal
position. But it would be a good idea to check it anyway. :) -Dave
Click to expand...
 
Ah, ok thanks.
Click to expand...

There was a post from somebody in the last couple of days,
where their board came from the factory with the CMOS
jumper in the wrong position. So it happens.

Paul
 
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