1st build- no display, but graphics card is running

[CaZeek]

Hello,

This is my first build attempt, I came here last week for advice on all of the parts.

I relied heavily on the guide from this site during the build. I have my DVD drives, floppy, HD, and graphics card installed. I turn on the computer, and the fan on the graphics card (ATI x1900 xt) is running and the red LED on the card is on. All the computer fans and LEDs are on. The monitor is connected to the graphics card, but I am not getting any display- it is not even picking up a signal. Any advice?

Thanks!

[glc]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[CaZeek]

Tried that already.. no success. I don't think anything is broken. The LED on the motherboard and Graphics card light up, and as I said, the fan is running. Is it possible that the card needs to be configured (drivers installed or anything like that) before it works at all?

[glc]

Nope - if it's out of the case on the table with just the CPU, ram, and video card installed and it's got no video, you have a hardware issue.

[CaZeek]

Is there any way to pinpoint what it could be? The CPU is from a computer I was using two days ago, so there should not be a problem with that.

What should be showing up on the monitor? The monitor is just not receiving a signal- there are not any errors or anything.

[Freakitchen]

Could you post your full system specifications, including brand and wattage of your Power Supply.

A common cause of no-video is forgetting to connect the additional 4-pin 12v power connector to the board, it's usually near the CPU.

As GLC says, if there is a hardware error on an out of case build with the minimum components installed, you won't get a display at all, don't expect to see errors on the screen.

FK

[CaZeek]

I did not connect a 4-pin 12V connector, as my MB manual told me I only needed the 24 pin thing. I will try that right now.

Here are the specs:

CPU: Intel 3.2 GHz, 800 MHz FSB- 540J
MoBo: Intel D955x
Ram: OCZ 1GB DDR2 667
Graphics Card: ATI X1900 XT PCI-E

That's all that is hooked up right now (as I was trying the thing that glc and the sticky suggested)

Thanks for the help!

[CaZeek]

Yes! Thank you so much.. that was the problem.

I read the power page in the motherboard about 15 times last night. There is a big "OR" if use a 24 pin connector for the main power. However, the "OR" was explaining that I should either put a 2x2 power thing with an adapter in or a 2x4 straight in.

I guess that's the problem with trying to build your first computer when you're falling asleep..

Thanks again!

[Freakitchen]

It's a very easy mistake to make, especially with the current confusion surrounding the change from 20 to 24 pin-main connectors on motherboards. Be thankful it wasn't something more serious than that!

FK