I just put together my first computer build, and I'm stuck! When I hit the power button, the fans all spin up, including those on the GPU, and the CPU gets warm, which is a good sign. My monitor recognizes the HDMI connection but right after that, it shows a blue screen with a 'no signal' message. Just to clarify, this isn't the Blue Screen of Death; it's the kind of screen my monitor shows when there's no input. I've made sure all the components are connected: the motherboard, CPU, cooler, GPU, front panel, and USB 3.2. I've tried reseating the RAM, CPU, and GPU and even unplugging and replugging all the cables. I also tried booting without the SSD connected, but nothing seems to work. There's no indicator lights on the motherboard, even when the RAM is out. Here's what I'm working with: a USED Ryzen 5 3600, 16GB Silicon Power RAM at 3200MHz, Gigabyte A520i AC motherboard, a 256GB SATA SSD from Timetec, a USED RX 570 GPU, and I'm powering it with a Thermaltake 650W 80+ Gold PSU. The total build cost about $430. Any ideas on what I might be missing?
5 Answers
Could be an issue with the RAM seating. When I helped a buddy build his PC, he didn’t push the RAM in firmly enough. Make sure yours have clicked into place securely; it takes more pressure than you might think!
If nothing else works, sometimes a motherboard reset can help. Disconnect the power, take out the CMOS battery for a minute, then put it back in and try again. That can clear any glitches in the startup process.
Have you tried different cables or possibly a different monitor? Sometimes, certain cables or monitors can just not be compatible until the proper drivers are installed. I ran into that issue when setting up another device once.
Just to clarify, your monitor is definitely a monitor and not a TV, right? I’ve seen setups where people accidentally use their TV outputs, which can cause confusion at post. If all else fails, check if you can access the BIOS by repeatedly tapping the corresponding key on boot; it might give you more information.
It sounds like you're dealing with a common issue when building a PC. Make sure the HDMI is plugged directly into the GPU, not the motherboard. Sometimes, the onboard graphics can confuse the setup. Just double-check that!
I know that much! I’ve already got the HDMI in the GPU.
I swapped both cables and monitors, but still no post.