Many users may encounter the common issue of the computer turning on, but the monitor remains black with no signal. This problem can be attributed to two possibilities.
The first scenario is when the computer shows no response upon startup – it doesn’t power on, and there are no audible signs of operation. Opening the side panel of the case reveals that even the CPU cooler is not functioning.
The second scenario is when the computer powers up, and you can hear it running. In this case, the computer is operational, and you can observe the CPU cooler functioning when the side panel is opened.
For the issue of the computer turning on but the monitor remaining black with no signal, most problems are related to the computer itself rather than the monitor.
To address the problem of a completely unresponsive computer upon startup:
- Check for any indication of power on the keyboard.
Press the NUM key or NUMLOCK key and observe if the NUM indicator on the keyboard lights up and then turns off upon pressing again. If this happens, the issue may be related to the graphics card or video cable. Try replacing the video cable to rule out cable-related problems. If there is a discrete graphics card, consider removing it and connecting the monitor to the onboard graphics port to test if the computer boots. If it does, the issue might be with the discrete graphics card. Verify the display signal source settings on the monitor, especially if using different ports like DP and HDMI. Ensure that the video cable is correctly connected, especially when using a discrete graphics card. Connecting the video cable to the motherboard’s display port instead of the discrete graphics card can cause issues. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it may be a problem with the graphics card.
For the situation where the computer starts up, but the monitor is black:
- Check for keyboard indicator lights.
Press the NUM key or NUMLOCK key and observe the indicator lights. If there is no response, proceed to the next step. - Re-seat or clean the RAM modules.
The issue of a computer not booting is often related to loose or oxidized RAM. Power off the computer, disconnect the power, open the case, and carefully re-seat the RAM modules. Wipe the gold contacts of the RAM with a dry cloth or eraser to prevent oxidation. If you have multiple RAM modules, test them one at a time to identify a faulty module.
- Perform a BIOS reset and discharge static electricity.
Remove the CMOS battery from the motherboard for a few minutes to reset the BIOS settings. Ensure the power is disconnected, and discharge any static electricity by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds with the power off.
- Re-seat the CPU.
Re-installing the CPU involves removing the CPU cooler, which requires a certain level of technical proficiency. If comfortable doing so, re-seat the CPU, ensuring no damage to the CPU pins.
If the CPU cooler fan repeatedly spins for a moment and stops, it may trigger a hardware protection mechanism, indicating a potential hardware disconnection such as the graphics card or RAM. Re-seating these components may resolve the issue. However, if the problem persists, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance or visit a computer repair shop for further diagnostics.
Remember to regularly clean the internal components of the computer to prevent dust buildup, a common cause of hardware issues.
