Video Card Problem?

My computer is mostly FUBAR but recently I can't get any video out of it. I've tried two different video cards, with three different output ports and two different cables(analog and digital).

I got a picture once but after I changed my boot sequence(trying to boot from USB) and restarted it won't come back.

The monitor acts like it goes into sleep mode most of the time. Like it's not getting a signal from the video card.

This is a pretty old mother board. Something I cobbled together about 10 years ago. Unfortunately, it's the main computer in the house so I have to make it work.

And "Yes", this is the post I mistakenly posted in the 4 Sale section. Sorry.

No video it could be the power supply gave out, if you have another or could borrow one I would try that before assuming its the motherboard. Pull the memory out and reseat it sometimes works.

No go pull the memory out and start the computer, it should beep indicating no memory this would be a good sign telling you it the mobo is most likely good.

If you can't get another power supply to try goto best buy and ask about there return policy, you maybe able to purchase one and return it for a small restocking fee if that don't work out

If it's 10 years old, a new power supply might not have the same connectors, they have changed many times. I would try to find a reset or default in the bios and try that.

Jpete,
Who is the manufacturer, and what is the configuration? (Dell, Compaq, flat screen LCD, or old type CRT)
Most of these mother boards have on board video with a port on the back. Users add a video card, usually for enhanced graphics. If this be your case, pull the video card and use the on board to see if you can bring the video back.
Also, you were able to get into the bios, to change the boot sequence. A lot of these old PC's will NOT boot off the USB port. My dinosaur pentium Compaq(2003 or 2004) will not. I would set the boot to 1-floppy,2-CD,3-hard drive, and try that.
If the PC looks like its going through the boot sequence(Lights flashing) OK, your monitor might of died.
I'll check back tomorrow AM
Cheers

He can't get into bios, only once and briefly, then no video, you can still get the newer psu's to work with older hardware no problem, I think your refering to the 24 pin main connector its no problem with most psu's you can detach 4 of the pins to fit the old 20 pin connection.

jpete has a lot of emotional attachment to a 10 yr old PC LOL...

I used to build my own PCs ... like 15 yrs ago. It was fun to do and saved some cash.

I still have a few lying around (8088, compaq portable with 2 5.25" floppy drives that weighs about 35 lbs, etc). DOS/Win 3.11 machines.

They still do what they did back then ... I miss the dot matrix printers though ... all that noise that they made. Panasonic 1124 was my fav.

I cannot help jpete ... but wish him good luck !

Thanks guys. I have no idea how or why, but it seems to be running right now. I just kept switching cards and cables until I got a picture.

For the record, its an Asus mobo with an nVidia graphics card and a Samsung LCD monitor. The power supply is something I got either at a local computer shop or at CompUSA just before they went out of business. I can't remember anymore.

jpete wrote:My computer is mostly FUBAR but recently I can't get any video out of it. I've tried two different video cards, with three different output ports and two different cables(analog and digital)..

If that is one of those VIVO cards the analog out requires special drivers and it's unlikely windows has generic ones.

If you cobbled it together more than 10 years ago that would mean it's more than 15 years?

Honestly I wouldn't bother and just find something on CL. I was able to pick up Gateway on CL a few years back for $40, used it for few years and it's still sitting here for emergency use. Might even turn into a server for the house.

jpete wrote:Thanks guys. I have no idea how or why, but it seems to be running right now. I just kept switching cards and cables until I got a picture..

Did you happen to blow the dust out of the power supply? I know the one computer I had the graphics would get wonky and even BSOD's when playing a game if the power supply wasn't cleaned out recently. It was just on the edge of being powerful enough and I guess the dust was enough to heat it up and cause problems.

I didn't do it this time but I did do it recently.

You're right about dust though. It's amazing how much this picks up. With 5 fans, I'm not sure if it's a computer or a vacuum cleaner.

I keep the tower on a low end table about 2 ft. off the floor, just because of the fan pulling the dust and lint from the floor. Operating cooler and cleaner is best. Happy to hear it's working.
Cheers

Glad to here your up and running, maybe the act of reseating the video card did the trick, if you have a case speaker connect and it happens again sometimes the beeps give you a clue