Fundamentals - Problem: The system seems to start normally, but the display remains black. (Page 11 of 14 ) - Verify that the display has power and the video cable is connected. If the display has a non-captive power cable, make sure the power cord is connected both to the display and to the wall receptacle. If you have a spare power cord, use it to connect the display.
- Verify that the brightness and contrast controls of the display are set to midrange or higher.
- Disconnect the video cable and examine it closely to make sure that no pins are bent or shorted. Note that the video cable on some monitors is missing some pins and may have a short jumper wire connecting other pins, which is normal. Also check the video port on the PC to make sure that all of the holes are clear and that no foreign objects are present.
- If you are using a standalone AGP adapter in a motherboard that has embedded video, make sure the video cable is connected to the proper video port. Try the other video port just to make sure. Most motherboards with embedded video automatically disable it when they sense that an AGP card is installed, but that is not universally true. You may have to connect the display to the embedded video, enter CMOS Setup, and reconfigure the motherboard to use the AGP card.
- Try using a different display if you have one available. Alternatively, try using the problem display on a known-good system.
- If you are using an AGP card, make certain it is fully seated. Many combinations of AGP card and motherboard make it very difficult to seat the card properly. You may think the card is seated, and may even feel it snap into place. That does not necessarily mean it really is fully seated. Look carefully at the bottom edge of the card and the AGP slot, and make sure the card is fully in the slot and parallel to it. Verify that installing the screw that secures the AGP card to the chassis did not torque the card, forcing one end up and out of the slot.
- If the system has PCI expansion cards installed, remove them one by one. (Be sure to disconnect power from the system before you remove or install a card.) Each time you remove a card, restart the system. If the system displays video after you remove a card, that card is either defective or is conflicting with the AGP adapter. Try installing the PCI card in a different slot. If it still causes the video problem, the card is probably defective. Replace it.
Problem: When you connect power (or turn on the main power switch on the back of the power supply), the power supply starts briefly and then shuts off.
WARNING All of the following steps assume that the power supply is adequate for the system configuration. This symptom may also occur if you are using a grossly underpowered power supply. Worse still, doing that may damage the power supply itself, the motherboard, and other components.
- This may be normal behavior. When you connect power to the power supply, it senses the power and begins its startup routine. Within a fraction of a second, the power supply notices that the motherboard hasn’t ordered it to start, so it shuts itself down immediately. Press the main power switch on the case and the system should start normally.
- If pressing the main power switch doesn’t start the system, you have probably forgotten to connect one of the cables from the power supply or front panel to the motherboard. Verify that the power switch cable is connected to the front-panel connector block, and that the 20-pin main ATX power cable and the 4-pin ATX12V power cable are connected to the motherboard. Connect any cables that are not connected and press the main power switch, and the system should start normally.
- If the preceding steps don’t solve the problem, the most likely cause is a defective power supply. If you have a spare power supply or can borrow one from another system, install it temporarily in the new system. Alternatively, connect the problem power supply to another system to verify that it is bad.
- If none of the preceding steps solves the problem, the most likely cause is a defective motherboard. Replace it.
Problem: When you apply power, the floppy drive LED lights solidly and the system fails to start. - The FDD cable may be misaligned. Verify that the FDD cable is properly installed on the FDD and on the motherboard FDD interface. You may have installed the FDD cable backward or installed it offset by one row or column of pins.
- If the FDD cable is properly installed, it may be defective. Disconnect it temporarily and start the system. If the system starts normally, replace the FDD cable.
- If the FDD cable is known-good and installed properly, the FDD itself or the motherboard FDD interface may be defective. Replace the FDD. If that doesn’t solve the problem and you insist on having an FDD, either replace the motherboard or disable the motherboard FDD interface and install a PCI adapter that provides an FDD interface.
 This chapter is from Building the Perfect PC by Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson (O'Reilly, 2004, ISBN: 0596006632). Check it out at your favorite bookstore today. Buy this book now.
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