I installed an older TP-Link Archer T4E Wi-Fi card because I needed Bluetooth. Before this, my desktop used Ethernet and displayed normally on my TV. After installing the card, the PC powers on and appears to run, but the TV says there is no signal. My motherboard shows no troubleshooting lights. I reseated the cables, removed and reinstalled the RAM, removed the CMOS battery, and eventually took the Wi-Fi card back out, but the display problem continued. The PC previously worked with this card, although I have since upgraded to an A520M-K motherboard, a new CPU, and a new GPU. Could installing the card have damaged something, or is there another step I should try?
3 Answers
The card itself is a normal PCIe desktop adapter, so it should not disable the display on an A520M-K. However, it is easy to slightly bump the graphics card or loosen its power cable while installing another PCIe card. Remove and firmly reseat the GPU, check that the monitor cable is plugged into the GPU's ports, and try a different PCIe slot for the Wi-Fi card if one is available.
Try a proper CMOS reset with the PC unplugged and the power button held down for a few seconds. Then install only the essentials: motherboard, CPU, one RAM stick, GPU, and the power supply. Disconnect extra drives and expansion cards. If it displays with that setup, add the Wi-Fi card back afterward and test again.
The Wi-Fi card probably is not a driver issue yet—drivers only matter after you can boot into the operating system. Since the TV has no signal even with the card removed, start by checking the display path: make sure the cable is connected to the graphics card rather than the motherboard, try another cable or input on the TV, and test another monitor if possible. Also reseat the GPU and confirm all of its power connectors are firmly attached.
I could not install the Wi-Fi drivers because the computer never showed anything on the TV. I will test it with the minimum hardware connected.