PC on, fans turning, black screen. Help?

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 8, 2016

I've recently helped my brother build a PC for graduation.

Parts:
ASUS R9 380 4GB Strix GPU
AMD Athlon X4 845 CPU
8GB of Team Elite Plus RAM
a Gigabyte F2A78M-HD2 Motherboard
1TB WD Blue Hard drive
Corsair CX500 PSU.

I bought a Windows 7 key from play-asia, but when I tried to register the key, it had this error message, so I can't boot from the flash drive (I'm emailing them about a replacement key). When I tried to boot it up to see if it would post, nothing displayed. At all. No UEFI or standard BIOS, no splash screen. I've reseated all of the power cables, swapped and reseated the GPU, which led to a restart loop, swapped and reseated the memory, checked for a shortage with the standoffs+motherboard. Nothing displays. Mouse and keyboard do not work either, being that it's a blank screen.

What is there left to do?

alexoiu · Jul 8, 2016

"I bought a Windows 7 key from play-asia, but when I tried to register the key, it had this error message, so I can't boot from the flash drive (I'm emailing them about a replacement key)."
Did it happen on the newly built pc, or different one?

JackNaylorPE · Jul 8, 2016

1. Exchange the PSU for something better

2. Buy a legitimate Windows license

3. Could be many things, once the above is down, call Gigabyte and have them walk you thru the troubleshooting procedure.

rgd1101 · Jul 8, 2016

The monitor is connected to the gpu?
And you plug in the pcie power cable for the gpu?

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 8, 2016

alexoiu :

I bought the key on a different PC.

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 8, 2016

JackNaylorPE :

I've used Corsair CX PSUs before, in fact I'm using one right now on a different PC. I've also bought a Windows key from them before, and it worked.

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 8, 2016

rgd1101 :

Yes, it is connected and the power is plugged in.

alexoiu · Jul 8, 2016

What are the 4 digits after SN in the board serial number (SN1xxx)?
Also, is the board's revision 3.0, or 3.1?

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 8, 2016

alexoiu :

1604

alexoiu · Jul 8, 2016

Then, most probably, the board's BIOS is FB and requires a BIOS update. It can't be done without a supported CPU.

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 8, 2016

alexoiu :

So, I would need a different FM2+ CPU to update the BIOS? And would that solve the blank screen issue?

alexoiu · Jul 8, 2016

I'm not 100% sure, but it's most probably the issue. If possible, try testing different graphics card. A local PC shop might help in updating the board's BIOS by using a supported CPU (if not too expensive), or testing the components and identifying the issue.
A system speaker would also help.

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 8, 2016

alexoiu :

I tested a different GPU, and it got stuck in a boot loop. I have an extra FM2+ CPU, and I could test it out myself.

alexoiu · Jul 8, 2016

What model?

Matthew Keeton · Jul 8, 2016

Trust me I've been there and done that recently you should check the website your motherboard is branded for and make sure the bios version is correct or newer if its an older bios you will need to update first with a compatible CPU.

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 8, 2016

alexoiu :

GPU is an XFX R7 250X 2GB DDR3.
CPU is an Athlon X4 860K.

alexoiu · Jul 8, 2016

HelmTheHobbit :

It should work. Try installing it and see if still no go.

alexoiu · Jul 8, 2016

Can you test different RAM?

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 9, 2016

alexoiu :

I did, and it didn't fix the issue.

alexoiu · Jul 9, 2016

Try connecting a case speaker to the motherboard. Start it with no RAMs and see if any beeps. This way, you'd know if board and CPU do work.

Matthew Keeton · Jul 9, 2016

Yes at this point maybe a CPU problem as well but since you've tested all components I just recommend returning the motherboard for a new one.

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 10, 2016

Matthew Keeton :

I RMA'd the motherboard. Hopefully, the new one works!

alexoiu · Jul 11, 2016

Please post back the result.

Matthew Keeton · Jul 11, 2016

Yes indeed good luck!

HelmTheHobbit · Jul 11, 2016

alexoiu :

Matthew Keeton :

Will do. Thank you for your help so far!

PC on, fans turning, black screen. Help?

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