Solved Computer not booting, just black screen.

Bodman456

Bodman456

Voider of Warranties
Member
Hi guys,
I am having a massive problem with my desktop. When I turn it on, it just sits there with a black screen. The HDD access light blinks for a few secs, then stops. It's custom built by a computer store, with a Gigabyte GA-P35-S3 mobo, Intel Core 2 Duo (unsure of exact model) overclocked to 3.06GHz, Galaxy nVidia GT240 1GB graphics card, Western Digital 500GB hard drive and an ASUS MW220 22" monitor. I can't boot it to a Linux LiveCD either, cause I don't even see the BIOS startup. Does anyone have any idea what is wrong with it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built Gaming Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo @ 3.06GHz (overclocked)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-P35-S3
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    Galaxy nVidia GeForce GT 240 OC'd 600MHz Core Speed
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS MW221 21" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB Western Digital HDD
    PSU
    iCute 450w (built into case)
    Case
    iCute (unknown model)
    Cooling
    Large Case Fan
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Desktop
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Desktop
    Internet Speed
    Telstra ADSL Broadband
It's most likely the videocard.

I had this same problem a while ago and it turned out my videocard was not correctly installed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Elite
    CPU
    AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Some Amount of Motherness
    Memory
    6.O GB RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA nVIDIA GeForce GT 240 512MB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Some Amount of Soundness
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two Monitors: HP w1907 & Acer P191w
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 & 1440x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Blue 500GB
    PSU
    Some Amount of Voltageness
    Case
    Hp Pavilion Elite Case
    Cooling
    Some Amount of Coolingness
    Mouse
    HP: M/N:M-SBQ133
    Keyboard
    HP: Model Number: KB0911
    Internet Speed
    Comcast: 20 MB/S
    Other Info
    I have two monitors! I play Call of Duty: Black Ops & Modern Warfare II - Both on PC. Contact me through my website: ChaseKurry.com
Maybe gpu, but could be anything... What was going on before you had this?

You have an ageing setup, so it could be the psu dying and not powerful enough to boot... less likely,
Could be the cpu or mobo just decided to give up.

Doubt its RAM though.

Reseat the gpu, or if you have an oboard speaker, the beep on boot, take the gpu out and see if it squeels.

You could be in a long trial and error process.

Good luck
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
The last problem I had with this computer was a fried GPU, which was about 6mths ago. The computer store we bought it from fixed it. The actual computer is about 2 1/2yrs old. We tested the monitor by plugging in to my laptop, and it's fine. The mobo or the PSU were my original suspicions as well. My dad doesn't want to pull it open to check for fried components, and he won't let me check either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built Gaming Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo @ 3.06GHz (overclocked)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-P35-S3
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    Galaxy nVidia GeForce GT 240 OC'd 600MHz Core Speed
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS MW221 21" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB Western Digital HDD
    PSU
    iCute 450w (built into case)
    Case
    iCute (unknown model)
    Cooling
    Large Case Fan
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Desktop
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Desktop
    Internet Speed
    Telstra ADSL Broadband
How is the power in where you live? Is it sketchy, ie do you lose it much, or is it mainly on?

Saddly without opening youre not going to get far.
Do you have access to a multimeter? You can test your psu with that.

It's a possible chance the gpu is fried again, but theres got to be a reason for it.

Do you remember the psu brand?
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
The power in our area is pretty good. We have a multimetre buried somewhere in the garage, but it's really old. I don't know the brand of PSU, or its wattage either, but the GPU was replaced when the old one died, so I really doubt it's the GPU. The computer is also plugged into a surge protector powerboard too, so I don't think a surge broke it, but you can never be too sure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built Gaming Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo @ 3.06GHz (overclocked)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-P35-S3
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    Galaxy nVidia GeForce GT 240 OC'd 600MHz Core Speed
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS MW221 21" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB Western Digital HDD
    PSU
    iCute 450w (built into case)
    Case
    iCute (unknown model)
    Cooling
    Large Case Fan
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Desktop
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Desktop
    Internet Speed
    Telstra ADSL Broadband
I'm thinking the gpu didn't die due to age/abuse, but tooken out by a bad psu, mobo or other component.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
I finally convinced my father to let me have a quick poke around inside the computer. Nothing was broken, and the GPU was sitting perfectly in place. Nothing looked burnt/melted etc. so that rules out overheating. Anything else I should check. Oh and the PSU brand is iCute (same as the case) and is 450w.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built Gaming Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo @ 3.06GHz (overclocked)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-P35-S3
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    Galaxy nVidia GeForce GT 240 OC'd 600MHz Core Speed
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS MW221 21" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB Western Digital HDD
    PSU
    iCute 450w (built into case)
    Case
    iCute (unknown model)
    Cooling
    Large Case Fan
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Desktop
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Desktop
    Internet Speed
    Telstra ADSL Broadband
Bodman256,

I just had to say that I like your avatar and welcome to the VF community.

P.S. - I am looking into your issue and will throw some alternative solutions your way soon!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Elite
    CPU
    AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Some Amount of Motherness
    Memory
    6.O GB RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA nVIDIA GeForce GT 240 512MB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Some Amount of Soundness
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two Monitors: HP w1907 & Acer P191w
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 & 1440x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Blue 500GB
    PSU
    Some Amount of Voltageness
    Case
    Hp Pavilion Elite Case
    Cooling
    Some Amount of Coolingness
    Mouse
    HP: M/N:M-SBQ133
    Keyboard
    HP: Model Number: KB0911
    Internet Speed
    Comcast: 20 MB/S
    Other Info
    I have two monitors! I play Call of Duty: Black Ops & Modern Warfare II - Both on PC. Contact me through my website: ChaseKurry.com
If you're still able to "poke around" pull your ram out... Then boot, you should get abunch of beeps which mean you have no ram.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Dual L5639 // i7 950 @ 4.0Ghz
    Motherboard
    Evga SR-2 // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r
    Memory
    12Gig Corsair XMS3 // 6Gig OCZ Gold
    Graphics card(s)
    gtx 560 ti // gtx 260-216
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 22" // Headless
    Hard Drives
    OCZ aGILITY 3, 120Gig + Seagate 500Gig x 2
    PSU
    Silverstone da700 // Corsair 520hx
    Case
    Rosewill BlackHawk Ultra // Antec 900v1
    Cooling
    Twin CM Hyper 212+ // Noctua NH-u12
    Other Info
    Acer 8930 laptop with x9100...
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