Monitor Trouble

I just got a free computer, it's a older 1998.

runs Windows 98

Anyway, when I plug in the monitor it says No Signal Input.

Ya know, if my computer was a smilie :bash:

HELP!

Power down the PSU if it has a switch or unplug it.

Double check the monitor to video cable for damaged pins.

Pop off the computer cabinet and reseat the the video card if it has one separate from the motherboard.

Check to see if there are any jumpers for enabling/disabling on board video or specifying video card init type if you can track down the mobo manual. You may have to clear the CMOS on older mobo's to release cached video specs.

If that doesn't work (still no signal) swap out the monitor with another and try a different video card.

Best of luck!

Victor K.

43'

Whats a jumper? could you put that in english??

In English a jumper is a method of manually selecting a motherboard feature via a set of "jumpered" pins (mostly used on older boards). It looks like a little block of plastic 1/4" square or so that has a conductive inner sheath allowing the "jumper" to bridge or "jump" across pins that protrude from the board making a physical connection.

Here's a glossary of computer terms.. If you are not aware of what a jumper is then perhaps call a friend with more computing experience to come and have a look at it or take it to a serviceperson. The fact that monitor displays "No Signal" is a good sign that the display is still working. Look to cabling or a video card or mobo issue as a possible likely source of your troubles. Get the appropriate motherboard manual if possible, it will help you understand your machine.

Victor K.

43'

[edit on 26-10-2006 by V Kaminski]

DOn't be offended by this question but:

What do you mean by plugged in the monitor?

Just checkin'..

Power is there, obviously..but you also plugged in the video cable correct?

If the above advice didn't work:

A quick way to pinpoint to either monitor problems or PC (video card) problems is to test another monitor on the PC. Make sure that you insert the cable correctly into the video card, as Spacedoubt suggests. It's easy to accidentally force the cable into the connector the wrong way round.

Also, when you start up the PC, immediately after the power-up there should be one or more beeps of varying length. This could give you an indication whether any of the hardware is damaged.
POST beep codes (Most probably you can use the IBM BIOS codes - these are the most common, but it depends on your system.)

I think in your case you'll hear one long beep followed by either two short beeps.

Also is there more than one video card? Make sure you plug it into the Primary graphics... (If there's more than one you might want to unplug one - probably the one that's not onboard )

Most often the cause of this problem is a fried Video Chip.