My PC was working normally until I shut it down after a Windows update. The next day, it powered on and sounded like it was booting, with the CPU and GPU fans spinning, but neither monitor showed an image. I tried reseating the RAM and graphics card, removing and reinstalling the CMOS battery, and connecting HDMI directly to the motherboard with the GPU removed. I also tested both monitors separately, and they work with other devices. What should I check next to determine whether the problem is the motherboard, power supply, RAM, graphics card, or something else?
1 Answer
Check the motherboard’s built-in diagnostics. Depending on the model, it may have a two-digit display, status LEDs, or support for a small PC speaker connected to the front-panel speaker header. The motherboard manual should explain the beep codes or LED patterns. With the RAM removed, a functioning board should normally report a memory error somehow. If there’s no diagnostic response at all, the motherboard or power supply becomes more suspect, although the exact cause is difficult to confirm without testing individual components.
With the RAM installed there was no beep. After removing it, I got one long beep followed by two short beeps repeating. Does that indicate the motherboard is working, or does it point to another component?
My board uses a small speaker, which I didn’t have connected, so I ordered one and will test the diagnostic codes when it arrives.