Not sure if motherboard or graphics card is dead

Dylan_12 · Nov 3, 2015

Ok, so I had originally had this pc build:

Fx 6300
AsRock 960 ugm u3s3 motherboard
Corsair 230t
WD blue caviar 1TB HDD
CX500m psu
Msi gtx 760 twin frozr

So I decided I wanted better airflow in my case and a better motherboard, since the AsRock one is old (I built this pc in august 2014 originally) and a better case. So I got the NZXT S340 and A MSI 970 gaming AMD motherboard. Note that all of the parts were working great before I replaced the mobo and the case. After I had transferred everything, I powered the upgraded pc on, and everything was working fine. I didn't get a beep from the motherboard, and the monitor was not responding or displaying anything. This led me to believe it was the motherboard, so I troubleshot it using these steps:

boot with 1 stick of ram at a time: nothing
Take out the graphics card, plug in the monitor the the Motherboard: Nothing
Check all of my cables: No issues there

My graphics card should be fine, it is only a little over a year old, so I returned the motherboard. Is there something with the battery or CMOS or BIOS I should've tried? Note, the fans on my GPU spin normally. If any info is needed to help, I can provide it. Please help if at all possible. Thanks

cin19 · Nov 4, 2015

Take out the graphics card, plug in the monitor the the Motherboard: Nothing

What do you mean?
I don't see any port on the MSI 970 gaming AMD motherboard you can use for the monitor. Because you did return the MB, so wait for the new one then try again, but make sure use the GPU.

Dylan_12 · Nov 4, 2015

cin19 :

What I meant to say was I plugged in the DVI to the graphics card, but It is a year old, so I dont see how that could be broken if that is the case

cin19 · Nov 4, 2015

I didn't get a beep from the motherboard

You need have the onboard speaker for the beep code.

You may check the fx6300 to see there is bent pin or not. Single beep is good, if the pc has problem, then it will give you some beep code. https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/bios-beep-codes

Also when you get the new MB, try go through those steps, like the link http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems

Dylan_12 · Nov 4, 2015

I did have the onboard speaker, and I still heard no beep.

NerdIT · Nov 4, 2015

Firstly, we need to verify if it the card, which is doubtful..DO you have another card you can try out? If that works then its the card..although..

Were you grounded when handling/rebuilding the rig? ESD is real and will fry a board easily..!

No beep means it cant even get to POST. This can happen with a bad BIOS upgrade. Using the older chip in a newer board means that the "newest BIOS upgrade" is not always the best option or an option at all. You may have to run an older version for the CPU to work/be recognized, and generally when this is the case -you have to upgrade (or in your case downgrade) the BIOS version before installing the new CPU..

Doesn't seem to be any built-in BIOS "Flashing" utility or a designated port you can boot to reflash or anything like that for your board - Nothing I can see from main page. I'll look into it.

A lot of the newer boards have a Flash BIOS USB port or some other means of "un-bricking" a bad upgrade.

Also, not directly related, but to give you an idea of what I am talking about:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2429897/safely-update-bios-msi-970a-g46-motherboard-support-8350.html

NerdIT · Nov 4, 2015

Either way, I would rule out the card being the issue before replacing the mobo/or CPU. And if one is fried - I would bet it the mobo/bricked-BIOS -and not the CPU.

Nine times out of ten it's the board -not the chip.

Dylan_12 · Nov 4, 2015

I can say for sure It isn't the card, but I wasn't grounded with an as wristband, but I took extra precautions to ensure it wouldn't shock anything. Perhaps my motherboard was just defect from the start. My cpu is fine, no bent pins on it. My gpu has no cosmetic or electrical damage and was working fine the same day I upgraded. Maybe I didn't plug in the cpu correctly and thats why it didn't display. We shall see when the replacement motherboard comes in a few days.

NerdIT · Nov 4, 2015

Dylan_12 :

Yeah I doubt its the card, probably the motherboard DOA.

Hopefully the new board works and I hope I was helpful.!

Dylan_12 · Nov 5, 2015

NerdIT :

Dylan_12 :

Yeah I doubt its the card, probably the motherboard DOA.

Hopefully the new board works and I hope I was helpful.!

Yea I greatly appreciate any assistance that can help mw be more knowledgeable towards pcs. Thanks for your help

Dylan_12 · Nov 7, 2015

[Update] So I tried out another motherboard I had. The pc Booted fine, but still no signal from the monitor and no display. I double checked the cpu, there are no bent pins. Everything seemed to be plugged in correctly. I really do not know why this is, I believe it may be the graphics card, or the monitor. Even with the onboard speaker, there are no beep codes like there used to be when I used the corsair 230t case instead of the nzxt s340 case I switched to. This isn't really making any sense, I can rule out the cpu and maybe the motherboard. The graphics card or the monitor is faulty?

NerdIT · Nov 7, 2015

Dylan_12 :

Can you test monitor with another device to verify?

Dylan_12 · Nov 7, 2015

I cannot test it on another monitor or graphics card at the moment, but I am doubtful it is the monitor, I feel it is the graphics card, cpu is in properly and ram is ok, so really nothing else to consider but the monitor. I will see if it is the monitor or graphics card then, those are the two only viable options left.

Dylan_12 · Nov 7, 2015

I am also not getting any beep codes, any help for this?

NerdIT · Nov 7, 2015

The no beep code thing is odd -the speaker could be faulty they are very cheaply made most of the time. Just so I am clear, when you said you tried another board, did that one also not beep?? Or were you referring to new board? How do you know if it booted if you got no display..? A system can power on and have all the fans spinning and still not be functioning.. Without display and no beep we don't know if these boards are getting through POST or not.

I meant to say test the monitor by hooking anything (dvd/VCR, tablet , laptop, anything) up to it to see if you get a picture on screen. If you can do this and it works, we have it boiled down to:

Bad card or you could have a bad cable...I have had cheap DVI cable stop working before..although not often.

NerdIT · Nov 7, 2015

A thought, and I am reaching here...and I apologize if you tired this already - Have you tried the original case and/or tried booting with absolutely no leads from the case. It is possible -however unlikely- that the leads in new case (the USB headers, PWR and RESET leads, audio leads, fan headers, etc.) could be causing a short somehow.

Either try the old case, or, a faster way to test this is to remove ALL leads and devices cables ( SATA, etc) from the board in the new case ...if the mobo has a physical power switch on it, take that lead off too and turn it on from that button with nothing attached accept the CPU Fan. Try with GFX card installed..see what happens, and then try booting without the card - it may beep without the card installed...if that happens:

Dead GFX card

Dylan_12 · Nov 8, 2015

NerdIT :

The beeps are not happening on both of the motherboards, so It might be the speaker. But, I have tried using a VGA adapter with the DVI cable and still nothing, taking advice it may be a bad dvi cable. I have tried booting with no stick of ram, no beeps, I have also taken out the graphics card with both motherboards, but no beeps. I have a feeling that it is the speaker. However, is there a slight possibility that it is the power supply that recieved some static damage that is not working fully? I can rule out the monitor because I tried it with a laptop I had and it worked. Could it be the graphics card?

Dylan_12 · Nov 8, 2015

NerdIT :

I will try this with the new case as you said, but just to be clear, NO ONBOARD leads and devices connected to the motherboard? like no 24 pin power connector, no power switch, no power reset, hdd led, etc.? Along with sata drives, but I do not believe this motherboard (the older one) has a physical power switch. Leave the 24 pin connector in?

NerdIT · Nov 8, 2015

Dylan_12 :

No I mean just the absolute minimum to boot up a cpu/board. That is only 4 things:
1. 24 pin main power
2. 12V rail CPU power (small additional one next to cpu socket)
3. CPU_FAN -just the main one attached to heatsink/cooler
4. RAM
That's it. no cards, drives, or extra fans.

Leave the speaker so we can here the beep obviously..If it beeps and boots up without the GFX card installed., the card is dead.

EDIT: If mobo doesn't have a hard power button then yes run the case lead. But only if you need to.

Dylan_12 · Nov 8, 2015

NerdIT :

Dylan_12 :

No I mean just the absolute minimum to boot up a cpu/board. That is only 4 things:
1. 24 pin main power
2. 12V rail CPU power (small additional one next to cpu socket)
3. CPU_FAN -just the main one attached to heatsink/cooler
4. RAM
That's it. no cards, drives, or extra fans.

Leave the speaker so we can hear the beep obviously..If it beeps and boots up without the GFX card installed., the card is dead.

EDIT: If mobo doesn't have a hard power button then yes run the case lead. But only if you need to. [/quotem

Yes I tried to boot up with only the components you told me to, no beeps. There are no beeps. I believe the speaker is faulty, or the graphics card is dead. I ordered more speaker plugs, and when those come, we shall see. What does this mean for the motherboard or graphics card, or any other component?

Dylan_12 · Nov 8, 2015

What does this mean? is the graphics card dead most likely?

cin19 · Nov 9, 2015

I have tried using a VGA adapter with the DVI cable and still nothing

What monitor do you have?
Because your gtx760 has DP, HDMI, DVI-I and DVI-D. If you monitor has only VGA connector, you have to use the DVI-I to VGA, because the DVI-I can transmit digital and analog signal, and DVI-D is for digital only, VGA is analog only. You can't use the passive DVI-D to VGA adapter, which will cost less than $10. The active adapter will be more expensive. So try use the DVI-I port.
DVI-I to VGA http://newsslong.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/d/v/dvi-i-dual-m-vga-f-adapter-port-white-base.jpg

Dylan_12 · Nov 9, 2015

cin19 :

I have an adapter, dvi to vga that I have already tried. It still gave me no display. I use an AOC I2267Fw 22" monitor, which has a vga and a dvi port. I tried all of these, but still no display. Any more questions/suggestions? :/

cin19 · Nov 10, 2015

I have an adapter, dvi to vga that I have already tried.

1st question:
Which DVI adapter do you have? If you mean DVI-D to VGA like http://www.staples-3p.com/s7/is/image/Staples/m000111531_sc7?$splssku$, then it will not work because it is the passive type, and the DVI_D is for digital signal, and VGA is analog only, they are not compatible, except you use the active DVI-D to VGA cable.
2nd question:
What kind the cable do you have? You either use 1) DVI-I ( from gtx760) to DVI-D ( monitor), 2) or DVI-D to DVI-D. 3)Or use the active DVI-D to VGA adapter like http://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/DVI-D-to-VGA-Active-Adapter-Converter-Cable-1920x1200~DVI2VGAE 4) or DVI-I ( GPU) to VGA (monitor), 5) or HDMI to VGA.

More info:
DVI-D and DVI-I http://www.networktechinc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DVI-connectors-type.jpg

Dylan_12 · Nov 10, 2015

cin19 :

I have an adapter, dvi to vga that I have already tried.

1st question:
Which DVI adapter do you have? If you mean DVI-D to VGA like http://www.staples-3p.com/s7/is/image/Staples/m000111531_sc7?$splssku$, then it will not work because it is the passive type, and the DVI_D is for digital signal, and VGA is analog only, they are not compatible, except you use the active DVI-D to VGA cable.
2nd question:
What kind the cable do you have? You either use 1) DVI-I ( from gtx760) to DVI-D ( monitor), 2) or DVI-D to DVI-D. 3)Or use the active DVI-D to VGA adapter like http://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/DVI-D-to-VGA-Active-Adapter-Converter-Cable-1920x1200~DVI2VGAE 4) or DVI-I ( GPU) to VGA (monitor), 5) or HDMI to VGA.

More info:
DVI-D and DVI-I http://www.networktechinc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DVI-connectors-type.jpg

I will try it. Do you think that it has anything to do with the power supply, or graphics card, or the monitor?

Not sure if motherboard or graphics card is dead

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