1st build, Monitor blank

[kuran2010]

Hey, I just finished my first build and am trying to install the OS, but my monitor is blank. I can't for the life of me figure out what the problem is.

Asus EVO Series motherboard
AMD 6 core Phenom II
12 gigs ram Corsaire Vengeance
1 gig DDR3 ATI Radeon HD 5550

[Steve R Jones]

Triple check the wires from the case to the mobo.

[kuran2010]

Well Steve, I've checked and re-checked all the wires, and it didn't work. The monitor still displays the "No Signal" message for a few moments then goes black again.

[Steve R Jones]

Does the cpu continue to run...aka you can see the fan running?

Guessing you did apply thermal paste to the cpu and heatsink.

You should take out all parts like ram and video card and re-seat them. (put em back in)

The video card probably should have a power supply wire running to it. Is it pluged in?

Take out most of the ram and try to boot.

What is the make and model number and wattage of the power supply?

[kuran2010]

Yes the CPU was running, as were all of my other fans.

The Thermal Paste was applied.

I was actually about to take out all the cards after my previous reply, but got distracted by hygiene and home cleanliness. I'll do that next.

The video card does have a cable and it was plugged in. The fan was running.

The power supply is by Thermaltake, 800W, model no. TR-800CUS

[kuran2010]

Ok. I removed everything and re-mounted it, didn't work. I even went so far as to remove all the ram (which happens to be incompatible with my mobo...feck) and even still, nothing is happening. Any Ideas?

[paul9]

Okay, if the motherboard has a built-in video, try plugging your monitor lead into that one. If you get video signal, then go into the BIOS and change the primary video adapter setting to use your add-in board. It should be the PCI-E setting. Then plug your monitor lead back into the add-in card and reboot.

[kuran2010]

That's part of the problem paul. The mother board does have built in video. Even when I plug the monitor into that, I get the "No Signal" prompt.

[paul9]

Try without the video card fitted, first.
Bad motherboard is a suspect.
It is also worth checking you haven't shorted against the case, anywhere. I used to run the system on a wooden table or a sheet of thick, corrugated cardboard (think packing case) to check it worked before installing to a case. That was usually just the mobo, ram and cpu, no drives fitted. Video card if needed.

[kuran2010]

Ok. I took out the video card and the problem persisted. I have yet to remove the mobo from the chassis, but i'll get around to it.

[paul9]

Just to confirm, the monitor and cable are definitely working? You checked them with another PC?
I strongly suspect the motherboard. The ram, power supply, video card and maybe the cpu could be checked by trying them in another system, if you have one handy which those parts fit into.

[kuran2010]

Yes, the monitor and cable work. I pulled them from another computer. Unfortunately, all the other computers in the house are at least 12 years old, beside the laptop i'm using, so I can't exactly test the other components.