Desktops - No Video
Things to confirm
- Confirm that the DVI to VGA adapter is connected.
Make sure the adapter is connected firmly to the DVI port on the back of the computer and the VGA cable that is connected to the monitor.
A DVI to VGA adapter is required if the monitor came with a VGA cable and the video card in the computer has a DVI connector. If included with your purchase, it is located in the accessory box that came with the computer.
- Confirm that the monitor is plugged into the correct video connector.
Check where the video cable is connected on the back of the computer and make sure it is connected to the proper video port.
Some computers that are configured with an add-in video card have an integrated video solution. The integrated video connector is located near the rear I/O connectors such as the printer port, keyboard and mouse connectors. The add-in video card connector is located in an add-in card slot. The integrated video source located near the I/O connectors is automatically disabled if an add-in video card is present.
- Check the LEDs on the front of the computer after the power button is pressed.
If the LEDs do not turn on when the power button is pressed refer, to the Desktop - No Power checklist before proceeding.
If there are no indications that the computer has started properly once the power button is pressed, refer to the checklist for diagnosing Desktop - No Power issues.
- Check the LEDs on the front of the monitor.
The monitor should have an LED on the front bezel or in the power button to indicate that it has power when turned on. When the monitor is in a low power state or has no signal, the LED may be orange or blinking and it may brighten or turn another color such as green when it has established a successful connection to the computer.
If no LEDs can be seen on the monitor when the power button is pressed, check the power cord to ensure that it is properly and firmly connected to the monitor and the AC wall outlet. Plug the power cord directly into an outlet, bypassing any surge suppressors or UPS devices. Make sure the wall outlet has power.
Note: Always reconnect the power cord to a known good surge suppressor when troubleshooting is complete.
- Look for signal indications on the display panel.
Turn the monitor off and unplug the video cable at the computer or the back of the monitor. Plug the monitor into a known good AC wall outlet, press the power button, and then watch for any messages.
When the monitor is turned on it should display a message indicating that it is functioning normally. The message may be a logo or may prompt "no signal detected". If the monitor does not display a logo or message it could be an indicator that it may not be functioning normally.
Things to try
- Run a monitor self test.
Refer to the users' guide for the specific monitor for self-test procedures.
Some monitors do not support this feature. For newer flat panel LCDs, turn the LCD off and unplug the video cable. Make sure the LCD is plugged into a known good wall outlet and press the power button. After several seconds a logo or "no signal" message should appear on the screen. This is an indication that the LCD is functioning properly.
- Change the "input" setting.
Locate the input menu or press the input button and select the correct input source.
Some monitors have multiple inputs such as a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) or an analog VGA input. If necessary, reference the users' guide to ensure the monitor has the correct input setting activated. If unsure which is correct, inspect the back of the monitor to see which input is being used.
- Use a different video cable.
If a second video cable is available, replace the original video cable with the second cable and retest the computer. Inspect the pins on the original video cable to ensure that none are bent, broken, or pushed inward, preventing a proper connection.
By connecting a new or second video cable that is known to work on a different computer, you can eliminate the possibility of a bad connection or bad cable as the root cause of the issue. If the original video cable does not appear normal upon inspection, connect it to a known good computer to check if it works.
- If the computer has both integrated video and an add-in video card, remove the add-in video card.
Remove the video card and connect the monitor to the integrated video port. Check to see if the video is now working.
Many later desktop computers have an integrated video solution. If the computer being diagnosed has an add-in video card, check the product page to see if the computer also has an integrated video solution. If it does, remove the add-in video card and connect the monitor to the integrated video connector. Make sure everything is plugged in and turn the monitor and the computer on. If the computer now has video this indicates that the add-in video card is the source of the issue.
- Connect the monitor to another computer.
If a second computer is available, connect the monitor to it to see if the same symptoms occur.
If the monitor is connected to a second computer with a known good video source and it still has no video, this is a strong indicator that the monitor has failed. If the device works normally, a secondary test can be performed by connecting the monitor from the known good computer to the original computer to reconfirm that the issue is not with the monitor.
Note: If the second computer is a notebook computer, be sure to observe the proper procedure to enable the external video output on the notebook. On newer notebooks, this is a FN+F4 keystroke. Refer to the user guide to confirm the proper procedures are observed to enable the external video.
- Adjust the contrast and brightness.
Locate the contrast and brightness adjustments on the monitor. If necessary, reference the users' guide for instructions on how to adjust these settings.
Adjust the brightness and contrast to their highest settings. This ensures that these settings have not been inadvertently adjusted to a level that prevents you from seeing anything that would normally be displayed on the screen. If any menus along with the brightness and contrasts settings can be displayed on the screen, this could be an indication that the monitor is working properly, unless the monitor is very dim at its highest settings or the information on the screen is distorted.
- Confirm that the video card is properly seated.
Unplug the computer from the AC wall outlet and disconnect the video cable from the back of the computer. Remove the cover and locate the video card. Carefully press down on both ends of the video card to ensure it is properly seated.
Pressing down slightly on both ends of the video card ensures that it is completely and properly seated. If the computer is new, the card may have come loose during the shipping process, causing the computer to not display video.
- Clear the BIOS settings using the config-mode jumper.
- Turn the computer off.
- Open the chassis and locate the the config mode jumper. Refer to your user's guide for information about you specific computer.
- Set the config-mode jumper to pins 2 and 3.
- Turn the computer back on, set the factory defaults, and then save and exit.
- Turn the computer off.
- Return the config-mode jumper to pins 1 and 2.
- Restart the computer to see if it now boots into Windows.
This procedure attempts to force the computer to boot with known good factory BIOS settings. It ignores any custom or incorrect information that may have been mistakenly set in the BIOS during previous usage. If the computer boots into Windows after completing the BIOS reset, turn the computer off, and then carefully reassemble the computer.
Conclusion
After performing these troubleshooting procedures, the source of the issue should be apparent. If the monitor does not power on or display a message, it may need to be serviced or replaced. If the monitor seems to work or has been verified to work on another computer, the computer itself is the source of the issue.
If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of
the following methods:
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