My monitor suddenly lost signal while I was playing a game. I tried the usual keyboard shortcuts, different HDMI ports, multiple monitors, and confirmed the problem is inside the PC rather than with the display. I removed and reseated the graphics card and RAM, cleared and reinstalled the CMOS, checked the cables and CPU area, and verified that the monitor is connected to the graphics card rather than the motherboard. The system powers on, but I still get no video output. Is there anything else I should test before taking it to a repair shop?
2 Answers
If your processor has integrated graphics, connect the monitor to the motherboard video output as a diagnostic test. It may not work with an older board or a CPU without onboard graphics, but if it does display an image, the dedicated graphics card or its power connection is the likely problem. Also check whether the graphics card fans, status lights, or the system’s diagnostic LEDs behave normally during startup.
A failed motherboard is also possible, especially if the system powers on but never completes its hardware check. Try booting with only one RAM stick at a time, confirm every graphics-card power cable is firmly connected, and check for motherboard beep codes or diagnostic lights. If onboard graphics produces no signal and the graphics card works in another computer, the motherboard or power supply may be at fault.
That’s a concern since the board is older, although the memory slots seem fine. I’ll check the diagnostic indicators and test the components separately.
The motherboard is fairly old, so I’m not sure the onboard output will work, but I’ll test it anyway. The RAM slots appear to be working.