PC Starts but doesn't display anything

Whenever a new build does not start as it is supposed to the procedure then must be to simplify the system and test each component to find the problem.

New System Failure Diagnostic

Basic diagnostic procedure is to uninstall the entire build and start over. Some people do this out of the case by placing the motherboard on an anti-static surface. This eliminates the possibility that there is a short circuit between the motherboard and the case through the connection posts (stand-offs). A standoff in the wrong location or a sloppy job will cause a short.

The Test (power off, power cord unplugged):

• Disconnect everything externally connected except the mouse and keyboard (printers, USB devices, etc). If you are not using a wired mouse and keyboard see if you can borrow one. The wireless device is just another component you have to deal with.
• Disconnect the power and data cables from all the drives inside the computer (Hard drives, DVD/CD drives, etc).
• Remove all the cards installed in the expansion slots (PCI/PCI-e) including the video card. (Be careful handling them and place them on a non conductive surface while testing).
• Remove all the RAM sticks (same rules as above).

Now connect the power cord and turn the PC on.

• The motherboard should start beeping. You should get a beep code that tells you there is no memory. This is good, it means the processor is functioning and the motherboard is good so far.
• Now add one stick of memory in Slot A1 and power on. More beeping: "no video card" beep code. This is good.
• Then add the video card (one video card) and connect it to the monitor. You should get no beeping and you should see the BIOS start screens, ending with the message that there is no boot device.
• If you get no video then switch the one memory stick installed for another one and test.
• If you do get video then start adding components back, one at a time, until the system fails to boot. The last component you added is then the problem component.

This test has been complicated in recent months due to the fact that many new motherboards do not have speakers on them and you can't hear any beep codes. These boards rely instead on 2-character codes displayed on the board. So on these you must consult your manual to see if the code displayed corresponds to the missing component condition you have created in order to check that the board is reporting correctly.

Yes, you can buy a piezo speaker that will connect to the speaker header on the motherboard.



Yes my long winded diagnostic (cut & paste, by the way) is really just saying "check your build, you may have installed something incorrectly".
But it works for a variety of different no-boot postings and is instructive to other people who may be looking at this thread for information on a similar problem.

Glad you got it figured out (and without all that work!)