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Black screen during and after startup

Tags:
  • Desktops
  • Computers
  • Black Screen
  • Startup Screen
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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December 24, 2013 10:23:40 AM

I'm not sure that this is a problem with my GPU, but it seems the most likely culprit.

Basically, when I turn on my computer there is nothing on my screen, and this persists after start up should have finished. In fact, the monitors eventually go into a power saving mode where their power lights start slowly blinking, implying they aren't getting any kind of signal whatsoever. It's a dual monitor setup that was working just fine 12 hours ago, so it seems unlikely the problem is with the monitors. During start up, the computer makes some uncomfortable noises, such as clicking (I can't tell if it's consistent with hard drive failure or a fan somewhere), and a series of four beeps (first one is different, then 3 more beeps that are either identical, ascending, or descending, which one I can't remember). After a few minutes the noises go away, and the computer sounds perfectly fine, but the screen remains blank.

Could anyone at least narrow down the problem for me?

Graphics card was an NVIDIA GeForce GT500 series, I believe 560ish.

More about : black screen startup

December 24, 2013 10:29:53 AM

start with no gpu if you have onboard video see if one monitor works fine and no beeps. in your pc check that there no dust or wires in the fans and the fans are moving and the gpu is seated. (check the gpu fan see if a fan broke off). check your power supply make sure the power supply fan is moving.
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December 24, 2013 10:53:34 AM

smorizio said:
start with no gpu if you have onboard video see if one monitor works fine and no beeps. in your pc check that there no dust or wires in the fans and the fans are moving and the gpu is seated. (check the gpu fan see if a fan broke off). check your power supply make sure the power supply fan is moving.

Unplugged a monitor, startup went the same as before. I assume I have onboard video, but I really don't know. After checking inside, it became apparent that all fans are spinning, including the gpu fans. Some startup noises were apparently coming from a disc drive, but removing the disc after startup just stopped the noise, and it wasn't a bootable disc anyway, just an old game. Beeps (was an identical 3 pattern) seem to have stopped, in fact it sounds fine now, but the problem persists.

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December 24, 2013 10:59:21 AM

you have to pull the gpu on older motherboard to get the onboard video port to turn back on. if it not a video card issue it can be a power supply issue.
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December 24, 2013 11:05:52 AM

I don't think it's a very old motherboard. I'll update on this when/if I work up the courage to do that (I have no prior experience with the guts of computers). I have a laptop, so I don't have much use for a desktop with no GPU, and I can't fix the power supply myself anyway, so I might just take it in for repairs. I'm also a little worried about all this startup/shutdown if it does somehow turn out to be hard drive related.
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