help: no input signal

[tokyo]

My PC has a problem during start up. After BIOS booted up, the Windows logo appeared then the monitor goes blank with the message "No input signal". By the way this error is not constant, after a few failed start ups (>5x) my PC sometimes boot normally. I've tried the following but still have the same problem.

I've checked this forum and also did a search on the internet but couldn't get the right answer. Well, my last resort is to send my PC to the maker for repair and since it's way past it's guarrantee period I have to pay for the cost.

No new h/w, s/w installed recently
PC internal check-up for loose connections (re-connect cords)
Clean & re-connect RAM
Remove video card & run onboard video
Re-connecting the mouse/keyboard/webcam
Change video cable
Check the hardware driver (control panel)
Start up using safe mode, but found no error
Updated anti-virus / anti-spyware software
Clean and optimize system registry using "System Mechanic 5 Pro"

System details
CPU: Athlon XP2500
Memory: PC3200 1GB
MB: WinFast K7NCR18G-ProII
Video card: ATI 9600 pro (Sapphire)
DVD-1: Combo Lite-on LTC-4816H
DVD-2: Pioneer DVR-108
HDD-1: 80GB Seagate ST380011A
HDD-2: 250GB Maxtor

I would appreciate very much your advice regarding this problem.

Thanks,
Regan

[nichomach]

Try running some diagnostics on it like Memtest to check the RAM, Seatools Desktop to check the hard disk, and see whether either of those reports any errors.

As an aside, checking the Downloads section for your board, the latest BIOS is supposed to fix a problem with booting into XP after installing a SATA drive. Have you installed a SATA hard disk recently? If so, it might be worth updating the BIOS.

[Trippledence]

Does it never happen in safe mode? If so it might be that your outputs are set to high for you moniotor, but considering what you discribe this seems inlikely. Do you have the lates drives for your grpx card? Otherwise im stumped.

[tokyo]

Thank you all for your advices.

nichomach,
I'll download the necessary utilities you mentioned and run the diagnostic test, including updating to the lates BIOS. I'll post the result later.
I don't use SATA hard disk.

Trippledence,
Yes, it also happen in safe mode. And it occurs both in my onboard and separate ATI card. It seems that the problem regarding graphic card is out of the problem. (My graphic card drivers are not the latest).

Could it be that my unit is having unstable power supply? I have a 350W box and considering my PC spec, is it enough?

Thanks,
Regan

[Nein]

Yes I could be the power supply, perhaps you'd never cleaned the dirt built up inside it since it was bought 1 or 2 years ago?

[tokyo]

I've checked the RAM /HD using the Memtest/PowerMax. And also updated the BIOS and video card driver. But, still there is the same problem.

I checked the maximum resolution of my Sony SDM-X73 display, which is "Maximum Resolution: 1280 x 1024 Refresh Rate: 75 Hz". And I'm using 60 Hz and it is within the range of the monitor.

Nein,
I disconnected the 2nd DVD to check if too much power consumption is really affecting my system. But, the same problem occured so, the problem lies not in the power supply.
Recently I dust off the inside of the PC but, now thoroughly. Well, I'll double check again if there are dust stuck on some critical parts. Thanks for your advice.

Regan

[Nein]

Nein,
I disconnected the 2nd DVD to check if too much power consumption is really affecting my system. But, the same problem occured so, the problem lies not in the power supply.

If you wanted to check PSU by power loading, you need to change the power loading by at least 25% for verification, that's how PSU manufacturers typically do it.

Recently I dust off the inside of the PC but, now thoroughly. Well, I'll double check again if there are dust stuck on some critical parts. Thanks for your advice.

I meant inside the PSU, not just inside your system case. If you do open it up, you might as well check for bad caps such as the typical signs of cap bulging. Check the electrolytic caps on the mobo as well as inside your power supply.

The symptoms you described do include the signs of electrolytic caps going bad - not charging up properly, they usually needed repetitive power-ups for a sufficient residue charge built-up before letting complete proper system power up.

[tokyo]

These are the results of my findings base on your advice.

1. Video card : no problem, check using the onboard and updated to newest driver
2. Video cable : no problem, check using DVI and Sub-d cable
3. Monitor refresh setting : no problem, within the range of the monitor and also installed the latest monitor driver
4. RAM : no problem, checked using MEMTEST
5. HD : no problem, checked using Powemax and also performed disk check
6. BIOS : no problem, updated to newest BIOS version
7. Loose wiring : no problem, re-connected every wiring connections


Base on the findings above the source of the problem can be as follows.

A. Dirty power supply or not enough power supply
B. Faulty motherboard ( I couldn't check this)
C. Faulty monitor (other factors besides driver or setting)

Nein,
Thanks for your input, I'll do what you mentioned.

[tokyo]

I checked the following item.
A. Power supply : I bought a new PSU (450W with ample capacity) and installed
it but, still I experience the "no input signa" problem.
B. Motherboard: No action
C. Monitor : I use other monitor and still the problem exist.

The only remaing item remaining in the list is the motherboard. I would appreciate
it very much your advice/comments regarding this problem.

Thanks

[Atomic]

off topic: Reminded me of this:

Need Input!

[tokyo]

My PC has a problem upon start up. After BIOS booted up, the Windows logo appeared then the monitor goes blank with the message "No input signal". By the way this error is not constant, after a few failed start ups (>5x) my PC sometimes boot normally. I've tried the following but still have the same problem.

These are the results of my findings.

1. Video card : problem still exist even using the onboard and separate AGP video card. (updated to newest driver)
2. Video cable : problem still exist even using DVI and Sub-d cable
3. Monitor refresh setting : problem still exist even usage within the range of the monitor and also installed the latest monitor driver.
4. Monitor : I use a different monitor and the same problem exist
5. RAM : no problem, checked using MEMTEST and re-connected the RAM
6. HD : no problem, checked using Powemax and also performed disk check
7. BIOS : problem still exist even after updating to newest BIOS version
8. Loose wiring : problem still exist even after re-connected every wiring connections
9. PSU : purchased a new PSU (450W with ample capacity) but, still the problem exist.

The only item I haven't check yet is the motherboard (I don't know how to check it). I would appreciate it very much your advice/comments regarding this problem.

System details
CPU: Athlon XP2500
Memory: PC3200 512MB x 2
MB: WinFast K7NCR18G-ProII
Video card: ATI 9600 pro (Sapphire)
DVD-1: Combo Lite-on LTC-4816H
DVD-2: Pioneer DVR-108
HDD-1: 80GB Seagate ST380011A
HDD-2: 250GB Maxtor
PSU: former 350W (12V: 16A) -----new: 450W (12V : 25A)

Thanks.

[tokyo]

Recently, I observed the when my PC (system or CPU) is cold started I experience this problem (no input signal). But, when I let the PC get hot after 10 minutes the PC normally starts up without a problem.

Is there something wrong with my CPU or other temperature related problem?

Can you give me advice regarding this.

Thanks.

[tokyo]

After I replaced the motherboard the problem was solved. So, it was really the m/b that was giving me the headache.

Thank you very much for your advice.