Having some problems...

[Deano3]

Hey, I'm new here, but it seemed like a nice place to ask some questions.

I recently finished building my own system. However, I'm having some problems. I installed everything, I took standard precautions, and I can't figure out whats wrong. I turn the system on, and the case lights up, all my fans work correctly, the CPU fan and my video card fan works also.
However, when I install my monitor to the video card, I get no picture. The monitor doesn't even turn on. I know its plugged in properly.
I have to use one of these to connect my monitor, since my monitor is kinda old, and I'm just using it to hold me over until I can get a fancy LCD:
http://http://www.qvs.com/images/DVI_VGA_ADAP.jpg
I dont think thats the problem, but I really can't think of anything else here.
Also, it appears as though my DVD-ROM drive doesn't work. When I turn the system on, the light flashes for a quick second, but then nothing. It wont open or anything. I have it set on Cselect, its the only IDE drive I have. MY hard drive is a SATA. I did some research, and I found out there is a cable necessary for audio, and it links from the drive itself to a soundcard, or, if provided, your mobo's onboard audio. Is this necessary for the drive to work?

I'm sorry if this was unclear, but if you need elaboration on any part of this post, I will be glad to assist. I just really want my gaming rig to work, and I'm getting worried that this could be a serious problem.

[juppy]

Hi Deano3, welcome to PcMech!

Okay, first off, before anything else, you need to see if the major parts all work by assembling a bare minimum build outside the case and attempting to get that all-important single POST beep that says everything is okay. There's a stickied thread by HAL on how to do this if you CLICK HERE.

It would also help if you'd give us a list of all the major components in your system too (cpu, memory, video card, power supply brand & wattage, etc).

One thing I'm wondering......why do you have to use that adapter? Does your new video card only have the DVI port and not a standard 15-pin D-sub?

For the question you had at the end of your post, no, you don't need that extra audio cable if you're using Windows XP. Actually, I'm not even sure if you needed it on 2000 or ME either. It's mainly a cable they just throw in there in case you're using an older computer and OS that doesn't support running the audio through the bus system of the computer. If the build is pretty new, then most likely you don't need it. So give us some more info on your computer to work with and we'll try to help you get it going.

[Deano3]

Thanks, it's nice here.

I was actually going to try those tips posted by HAL, but it was late last night and I really didn't want to get into anything like that. So I will try that shortly and I'll get back to you on that.

As far as my specs go, here they are:
CPU:AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Video Card:eVGA nVidia 7900GT
Motherboard:ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
RAM:2x Patriot Signature 512MB
Hard Drive:Western Digital Caviar SATA 250GB

As far as my power supply goes, its the one that came with my case. The case I have is an Aspire X-Navigator. Its 500w, and it seems to work great, all the fans and lights inside of it work. Also, there have been a lot of reports that the power supply with that case has been shipped DOA, but like I said, mine seems to be fine.

One thing I'm wondering......why do you have to use that adapter? Does your new video card only have the DVI port and not a standard 15-pin D-sub?

Yeah, you can see what I mean in this picture:http://tinyurl.com/nkjy3
Last night, I was able to get an LCD from my dad's work. However, this appears to have a DVI connector, but its not exactly like the one that attaches on my video card. I made a picture showing what I meant, it may not be completely accurate, but this is the best I could do. The whited-out pins are the ones that are missing from the connector from the LCD.
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6242/dvi2wl.jpg
It's not like their broken off either, so I don't know whats going on with that.

Thanks for your help though!

[Kareeser]

Can you pull a video card off a known working system, and plug it into your new system? It may be interesting to know if your monitor will work with a card with the normal 15-pin connector.

[David M]

Does your older monitor have an S-video port?...if so that would work, although the image quality is not as good as DVI. There are DVI (your card) to VGA adaptors (your monitor). Your 7900 card probably came with one. My 7800 cards each came with one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...daptor&Ntk=all

Does that help?

[Deano3]

David, I'm kinda confused by what you meant. I have a little plug adapter that converts VGA to DVI. But what did you mean about S-Video, and what can I do with that?

[David M]

If your monitor has an S-video port then use that. Does it?

Your card has both an S-video port and two DVI ports

So you are not getting an image even with the DVI to VGA adaptor connected?

Do you have the newest drivers for your graphics cards installed? You have to delete any old graphics card drivers first. Install the drivers that came on the CD with your card. Then go to the website of your graphics card manufacturer, check for new driver versions, and if there is a new version then download it.

Try switching the DVI port....one port is usually dead unless you have your card in dual screen mode...and by default, your card is not in that mode unless you changed it. But don't change it.

[Deano3]

No, my monitor does not have any S-Video ports on it. I tried using HAL's techniques, but I still can't get an image or anything on my monitor. I haven't tried switching the port on my video card yet though, I'll try that next.

[Deano3]

Well, I tried everything from HAL's topic, and it still didn't work. Then I narrowed it down to CPU or Mobo, and kinda went from there. I went to a local computer shop, and they said that it was definitely the mobo.

Thanks for the help you guys, I will most likely be back with more questions.

[Deano3]

Wow you guys, I feel really really dumb. I got hasty in the building process and ignored the part where it said:

"WARNING: IF YOU DO NOT CONNECT THE 4-PIN CONNECTOR FROM PSU THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BOOT!"

I thought it meant the 4-pin connector that was right by the 20-pin, and I thought I was doing it right. Little did I know however, that twisted behind my PSU was the other 4-pin connector. I plugged it in, it POST'd, and went straight to BIOS setup.

And to think, I was about to send my mobo back, but I read further into other topics and thought "eh, just one more try". Thanks again for your help everyone! Now I just need an OS.

[juppy]

Good job, Deano3! Glad you found the problem. Don't feel dumb though....things like that are easily missed, especially with everything needing more power anymore. I used to be that the old 20-pin plug was all you needed, but now that's changed to the 24-pin plug, there's the extra 4-pin plug that you found out about, plus most of the newer video cards have their own additional power plug as well.

One thing I wanted to suggest though.....you mentioned that power supply was the one that came with the X-Navigator case. I believe those are made by Turbolink, which is not really considered a good supply. If it's working good for you, that's great, but just be sure to watch for early warning signs of it failing, especially things like spontaneous reboots. You can also monitor the voltage levels either in your BIOS or with a monitoring program. I can't remember exactly, but all the voltages are supposed to be within either 5 or 10% of the stated voltage. So if it sways over that mark, you'd probably want to look into a new supply before it goes kablooie and takes out other components with it. I also noticed you have an SLi motherboard, but only listed one video card. If you DO ever decide to get another video card and use the SLi feature, I'd suggest getting a new SLi-certified power supply along with it for sure. I don't think that Turbolink would hold up to the strain of it.

Any more questions, just start another thread and we'll try to help.

[Deano3]

Yeah thanks, I was actually going to look at power supplies real soon. It was just getting expensive, and I thought it would hold out long enough for me until I do get a new one. Thanks though, I will post questions as they come, and I'm sure they will.