Help with my friend's computer he's building

[tybrenis]

Hey guys,

My friend is building one tank of a computer. He called me over to help him get it set up and we got everything plugged in and to the point were it looked like it should be working. The motherboard connections are fine, the PSU connections are fine as well.

Here's the deal. The computer turns on fine, and all the fans and lights come on etc. However, we don't get anything on the monitor. It tells us "No signal". The monitor works fine on another computer and yes, we plugged it in.

He's running dual 7900 GTs in an SLI setup. The mobo is a Asus P5NSLI.

Please help us out. Thanks guys!

[samurai_crip]

dose the computer have integrated GFX if it dose then use that port and fire it up then when your in your OS install the drivers for the video card

[CanaBalistic]

Have you tried to boot from each of the 4 display plugs? Without the drivers installed there should only be one plug that works. If that doesnt work, take out the second vid card and try to boot.

This is why the manuals tell you to install the drivers before installing the hardware.

[tybrenis]

Good point guys, thanks. We did try all four of the ports, but no dice. It doesn't have onboard video either. We'll try it with one card now, I'll get back to you on it. Keep the suggestions coming.

[tybrenis]

Hey again guys,

We tried taking out one of the cards and still we get nothing. Any more clues?

[jdbnsn]

Well I'm sure you have already done this, but if not I would remove everything possible down to the cpu and 1 stick of RAM and see if it still won't boot. If it does just re-install things one at a time until you isolate the problem. By any chance does it have a soundblaster X-fi in one of those PCI slots? If so, definately take that out and try again.

[Aero]

if you have a spare moniter laying around try using it. then install the drivers and try it with a different moniter (no idea why that would work, but its worth a shot I guess)

Or another video card and try the same?
Is there enough power for both cards?
make sure all the connections are good and no bent pins.

Thats all I can think of right now.

[ESX]

I remember I once had that problem, but cant quite remember what exactly caused it.
Try doing what jdbnsn suggested, then see what happens.
(Also check that all connectors are in place)

[zitwep10]

When I built my PC and nothing showed up on the screen, I tried stuff for hours, and what I had forgotten what simply to plug the ATX12V plug and then it worked fine. Well you said you checked everything was plugged so it shouldn't be that, but you never know.

[DaveW]

I had similar problems numerous times. You might find that it's a bad D-sub connection, try making the connection nice and tight, or even giving it a wiggle then retrying.

I know, tech heavy suggestion. ;) If it uses DVI then ignore everything i just said.

-Dave

[Amish Lobster]

OK, I took out everything so that I had the motherboard, CPU, power supply, 1 7900, HDD, and 1gig ram. Still, I get no signal.

The 7900's come w/ DVI, but has a convertor back to what my monitor uses... The 3 rows of pins on top of each other. I dont no where the atx12v plug would be so i was wondering if some1 could tell me.

this is my motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131032

[.Maleficus.]

Look at the 3rd picture on the Newegg website.

Right above the "CPU Socket: LGA 775" sign is "4-pin power connector". Follow the red line to the location :).

I had the EXACT same problem. I was so rushed getting it built that I forgot that my Blue Orb covered it, then I got no video signal, and lo and behold, it was the ATX12V that I forgot about.

[jdbnsn]

Can you list the brand and model of all parts still connected? In the meantime, things to try.
-examine the video card closely and look for any tiny switches, if you find any especially labeled DVI/VGA throw the switch and try again.
-be certain that the video card is in the blue PCIe slot.
-be certain the RAM is in the correct slot for single stick use (users manual)
-check the users manual to see if there is an indicator LED on the motherboard somewhere that changes color during startup, or if there is an onboard speaker, with a speaker connected to the motherboard you should hear some beeps when you power the computer on. They are coded to beep differently for specific boot problems. Do you hear any?
-lastly, look at the picture and be sure that the 4 pin CPU power connector is attached to a lead from the power supply.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/misc/13-131-032-04.jpg

Good luck!

[Amish Lobster]

These are the parts:

Power Supply: COOLMAX "SLI" CXI-500B ATX v2.01 500W Power Supply - Retail
Graphics Cards: 2x (TWO) XFX PVT71GUQL3 GeForce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
Motherboard: ASUS P5NSLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI Intel Edition ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Optical Drive: 2x (TWO) LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner W/ LightScribe and 5X DVD-RAM Write Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHM-165H6S
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400
Case: XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Extra Fan: ZALMAN ZM - F3 120mm Case Fan
Monitor: ViewSonic Q171b Black 17" 8ms LCD Monitor

Parts Still Connected:

Power Supply: COOLMAX "SLI" CXI-500B ATX v2.01 500W Power Supply -
Graphics Cards: XFX PVT71GUQL3 GeForce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
Motherboard: ASUS P5NSLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI Intel Edition ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400
Case: XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Extra Fan: ZALMAN ZM - F3 120mm Case Fan
Monitor: ViewSonic Q171b Black 17" 8ms LCD Monitor


Questions:

-examine the video card closely and look for any tiny switches, if you find any especially labeled DVI/VGA throw the switch and try again. --No Switches

-be certain that the video card is in the blue PCIe slot. --It Is

-be certain the RAM is in the correct slot for single stick use (users manual) --It was, now have 2g in there when I was trying it again.

-check the users manual to see if there is an indicator LED on the motherboard somewhere that changes color during startup,-- Theres not

or if there is an onboard speaker, with a speaker connected to the motherboard you should hear some beeps when you power the computer on. They are coded to beep differently for specific boot problems. Do you hear any? --No, w/ speakers attached, there is no sound coming out.

-lastly, look at the picture and be sure that the 4 pin CPU power connector is attached to a lead from the power supply.-- it has been this whole time.


*Thanks for all the help guys, any other suggestions?

[jdbnsn]

Ok....I'm looking something up. Meanwhile, have you tried the other vid card alone? Do you have another computer with some compatibility so you can test some parts on a known to be working setup?

Just checking, but is the extra power cable for the PCIe plugged into the video card itself?

[jdbnsn]

Go to section 1.4 in your manual, see the LED in the diagram? Find it on the motherboard, plug everything in and see if it's lit. Then power up and see if it's lit, etc.. Let me know what you see.

[tybrenis]

You guys are the best - thanks for helping out my friend, I knew you guys would come through.

[Amish Lobster]

Yes, I've tried both video cards, and both RAM cards in all possible configs. I don't have any other computers. :(

wow, nice way to ninja my time by 1 min. thats total weaksauce.

[tybrenis]

=D Well I know the indicator LED was lighting green when we had it running earlier, and everything seemed to be fine, with the lights on the optical drives going, the hard disk clicking, and the CPU and video card fans working.

[jdbnsn]

No, w/ speakers attached, there is no sound coming out.

Are you talking about speakers connected to the rear panel of the motherboard, or the small case speaker connected next to the power button pins on the motherboard?

[Amish Lobster]

O, thats what that little thing that says speaker is for.
I'll install that and try it.

Ok, I installed that in all the places that it could fit, upside and rightside up. And still, no sounds are being emitted.

[DRece]

I skim through the posts and I have not heard any one ask about the little card between the video cards that toggle sli-mode or not. Is that little card snuggly in place? Do you have it to the proper setting? I didn't see if the video card were powered? If you have two cards in place, did you have the bridge in place? All this has happened to me with that video problem so that is why I ask.

[Amish Lobster]

Yes, I had the card in sli mode, w/ the sli bridge connected. Then when i took out the 1 card, i switched it back to single card and still no dice.

[jdbnsn]

Check page 1-34 for what Drece mentioned, and then page 1-35 to make certain you have the speaker connected as shown in the picture. If still nothing, try unhooking the monitor and listening for beeps, then take out the video card and listen for beeps. If still nothing, I'm running out of ideas and it sounds like maybe you got bad hardware. Without a test rig it's difficult to say what is the problem.

[Omega]

Oh, about the beeps, too, Know what kind of BIOS you're running (Award, Phoenix, etc), because the beep codes can vary greatly.

[DRece]

Do you have a pci video card laying around that works, that is a cheap solution to seeing if it is your motherboard or your video card? Have you tried "Google" all your parts to see if you find if someone else had the problem that your having? I would think if you do not get a answer from Google, than calling Asus hot line or using their website, see if they have a solution on and try that.

[jdbnsn]

It should be phoenix. Another idea albeit a long-shot is look at page 1-25 in your manual and then locate the RTC RAM pins on your motherboard. If that jumper is missing the rig won't boot, also make sure it is in the 1-2 position and not 2-3.

[tybrenis]

Wow Jon, you are a god. I never would've thought of have the stuff you've mentoned. Great ideas!

[jdbnsn]

Wow Jon, you are a god. I never would've thought of have the stuff you've mentoned. Great ideas!

Nope, no God. Just had the same extremely frustrating things happen damn near every time I try to build a system so I have jumped through the hoops before.

[jdbnsn]

No luck?

[Amish Lobster]

Ok, no luck w/ the RTC RAM pins, I'm probly gonna have to ask this kid's, brother, cause hes goin to this tech school for building/repairing computers. Thanks for all the suggestions and I'll get back to you tomorrow if anything else happens.

[jdbnsn]

Did you try unplugging the monitor and vid card then listening for beeps and watching the LED indicator?

[Amish Lobster]

Yes, and there aren't any beeps coming out. I've installed the speaker in every place I can think of, but no beeps are being made.

[jdbnsn]

There is only one place it connects, and it needs to be connected exact. Did you go from the picture in the manual?

One last idea, on the back of the PSU there is usually a switch for 110V-220V, make sure it's at 110.

[Amish Lobster]

Ok, i looked at the manual, and its connected in the right place. No beeps. Turned it upside down. No beeps. And it is at 110v

[jdbnsn]

Well, we gave it the ol' college try. There is either a major hardware conflict or some component is dead. I can't think of anything else without having another setup to swap things out with. Sorry dude but you may need to hit up tech support when they are open.

[Amish Lobster]

Ok, I guess im gonna do that. Thanks for all the help anyway though!

[Amish Lobster]

Ok, i know this is old, but wanted to post it so all the ppl that helped no it wasnt for nothing.. i finally got the computer working. i never put the motherboard risers on, so it was just sitting against the steel wall and shorting. now it works though so everything is all good. :0

thanks again for everyone that helped out.

[Luke122]

Lol.. that would do it. I guess it's a good thing I didnt drop in my suggestion before reading the whole thread. Glad to read that it's working now. :)

[jdbnsn]

Doh! Didn't think of that, but also glad you're up and running.

[DaveW]

Wow, it works after that? You got lucky dude...

+Rep for telling us how you solved the problem, it's the mindset that's important! We want solutions as well as problems. ;)

-Dave

[tybrenis]

Wow Spencer. Just wow. How did I not notice that? You had it on at least some risers, I saw them. You're one lucky dude! +rep for shear luck.

[armadilloben]

aight my suggestion is to check recheck check recheck and finally check the jumpers on the mobo that was my problem with my previous build and i kept getting a no vid signal also i would try flashing cmos and just try pulling ou t the second gfx card and and if theres one of those sodimm like cards fo sli check that too

[tybrenis]

aight my suggestion is to check recheck check recheck and finally check the jumpers on the mobo that was my problem with my previous build and i kept getting a no vid signal also i would try flashing cmos and just try pulling ou t the second gfx card and and if theres one of those sodimm like cards fo sli check that too

.. he fixed it. =D