My PC originally worked normally over HDMI, but DisplayPort never produced a signal. I tried several DisplayPort cables and multiple monitors. After experimenting with NVIDIA Control Panel settings, I enabled Safe Boot through msconfig and restarted the computer. The restart appeared to hang, so I forced the system off by holding the power button and unplugging it. Since then, the computer powers on, the fans spin, and the keyboard and mouse light up, but there is no image at all—not even the motherboard splash screen or BIOS. Both the graphics card outputs and the motherboard HDMI/DisplayPort outputs are blank. I have already reseated the RAM and GPU, cleared CMOS by removing the battery and shorting the pins, checked the power and display cables, and tested different monitors and a TV. Could Safe Boot or the forced shutdown have caused this, and what should I try next? Also, is the original DisplayPort problem related to NVIDIA?
3 Answers
Since there is no BIOS or motherboard logo, this is happening before Windows or msconfig can even load. Safe Boot would not normally prevent the firmware screen from appearing. Power the PC off completely, unplug it, hold the power button for a few seconds, and remove the dedicated graphics card before testing the motherboard video output. This only works if the processor has integrated graphics. If the system still shows nothing, try starting with only one RAM stick installed and test each slot and stick individually. Also try entering BIOS with the correct key for the motherboard, usually Delete or F2, while powering on.
Make sure the monitor is manually set to the input you are testing instead of relying on automatic input detection. For a motherboard-output test, shut the computer down, disconnect its power, remove the dedicated GPU, and connect the monitor to the motherboard. If there is still no BIOS display, the issue is probably not a Windows setting. Check the motherboard diagnostic LEDs or beep codes if available; they may identify a RAM, GPU, CPU, or motherboard problem.
DisplayPort itself is handled by the graphics hardware and its driver, so an NVIDIA driver or card-output issue could explain why DP failed inside Windows. However, it would not explain losing the BIOS screen on HDMI and the motherboard outputs too. The forced shutdown may have exposed a hardware or power problem, but it is unlikely that enabling Safe Boot permanently caused this. After trying the minimal-hardware boot, verify the 24-pin motherboard cable, CPU power cable, and GPU power connectors are firmly attached.
I already tested the motherboard ports as well as the graphics card ports, but I’ll try removing the dedicated GPU completely and testing with one RAM stick. I wasn’t getting any splash screen, so I wasn’t sure whether trying to enter BIOS would help.