I've tried two different video cards and no image on moniter

I have a SpaceWalker motherboard, AMD Athlon 1.7mhz, 512mb DDR PC2100, 40g hd, and a Plextor CDRW and running a fresh install of Win98se. Those are my specs on the box. All drivers are up to date.

I had a 128mb GeForce4 Ti4200 AGP video card installed. It's been in for about two years. Last week, I sold the computer to a friend of mine. When I went over to his house to set it up, his moniter wouldn't work on the computer. Nothing came on the screen at all. No BIOS, nothing. The light stayed yellow on the moniter. (the small LED light that is near the power button on the moniter) When I pressed the power button on the computer to boot up, it emitted a series of beeps really quick or it sounded like one long beep. After a few seconds, the computer shut down by itself. My friend bought another moniter and it still did not work. Same beeping noise.

I thought it might be the video card crapping out so I just bought another video card but this time it's a PCI card. I put the new PCI video card in, hooked my moniter up to it, and booted up. Same thing only this time the beep was a little bit shorter. (I think) The computer did not shut down by itself previously like it but continued to boot up only I do not have an image on the moniter. It still won't come on and the moniter is still showing that yellow LED light instead of the green light that is normally on when the moniter is on.

What can I do to get an image? Both video cards are good. The computer was working fine before I moved it and even then, I was careful when I placed it in the car. I checked the motherboard. Everything is fine. Nothing is out of place. Like I said, the computer was working fine the night before I sold it to him.

Thanks for any help I may possibly get.

 

Sounds like something came loose in the move. Open up the computer and make sure everything is seated good, if necessary pull things out and put them back in, including memory.

Check all cables as well.

 

Ok, but what would the beeps mean? (besides the moniter not showing an image)

I'll start taking everything apart soon and I'll find out it something was loose.

 

The beep codes differ on each machine, some mean the memory is bad or not seated properly, some mean there is a problem with the motherboard. It's really hard to say, I think it depends on the motherboard or maybe the BIOS. In either case you would have to know more specifics, including the distinct sound that is being made (ie 3 short one long or 2 short or whatever).

 

Ok, I took out the NIC, the soundcard, and replaced the memory chip with another memory chip. The only PCI card that I have is the video card. I booted up and it still does the same thing.

I'm assuming that the motherboard went bad suddenly?

 

Hi Lighthammer,

Some thoughts:
The change from AGP to PCI graphics may not be getting registered automatically (and may be why got got different beeps). You may need to clear the CMOS. Instructions should be in the mobo manual (involves disconnecting all power from the system, changing the clear CMOS jumper from pins 2-3 to 2-1 for 15 seconds or more, then back to 2-3. Alternatively removing the battery for a period, say several minutes).

The system shutting down may mean a heat problem. The heat sink on the CPU may have dislodged. Could try reseating the CPU and replacing the thermal compound (instructions can be found at www.arcticsilver.com).

There are lists of beep codes on the internet. You need to know your BIOS manufacturer. They almost all refer to video or RAM problems though. Try cleaning the video and RAM connectors with a soft pencil eraser.

Could try removing the motherboard and check for any dust or "lost screws ", etc.

Have you tried the RAM in other slots?

Matt

 

Ok, I tried resetting the CMOS, took out the battery for a few minutes. I took the computer apart out of the case and put everything back in. I tried a different memory stick. Nothing works. Same old beep.

I went to a computer store and bought another motherboard. I transferred the processor, heatsink, memory, my original AGP GeForce video card and the same harddrive to the new motherboard.

Everything works great.

In conclusion: I think something on the motherboard was obviously not working. I was hoping it wasn't the motherboard but it seems like it was.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

Thanks for letting us know. Good to hear everything is running smoothly now. Pity it couldn't have been something simpler.


Matt