Member Avatar for jmcgonigal

I recently reformatted a computer for a friend. Everything worked fine when I was running it at my house hooked up to my monitor. When bringing the computer back there is a limit on what is displayed. The bios boot starts to display, but then cuts off earlier then normal. Then there is nothing on the display. The computer sounds as if it is running like normal.

Does anyone have any solutions to this problem?

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Brief summary and context: the screen shows BIOS output briefly then goes dark, and both the PC and the monitor have been confirmed to work independently (per ). Earlier replies from and covered reseating, cable swaps and driver checks. Because the failure occurs before BIOS completes, this points away from OS drivers and toward a signal/handshake or BIOS/video-initialization mismatch between that specific video output and that monitor input.

Connector and adapter compatibility often exposes this class of fault. Confirm which exact ports are in use (VGA, DVI‑I, DVI‑D, HDMI) and whether any passive adapters are between card and monitor. Passive DVI→VGA adapters require an analog-capable DVI‑I port; a DVI‑D (digital‑only) output to a passive VGA adapter can produce intermittent text followed by loss of sync. Forcing the monitor to the intended input (disable auto‑scan) prevents mid‑boot input switching that can look like “boot but no display.”

Diagnosing whether the system actually completes POST/OS handoff can be done without video: HDD activity and network traffic indicate boot progress, keyboard LEDs (Caps/NumLock) toggle after the OS loads, and motherboard POST beeps (with a speaker fitted) report hardware errors. If those indicators show the machine is running, the issue is a video‑handshake or EDID/resolution problem; if they don’t, the failure is earlier in hardware initialization.

Useful next BIOS/hardware steps not yet covered: clear CMOS to reset video selection to defaults (battery removal or jumper per the manual), confirm any GPU auxiliary 6/8‑pin power lead is connected and the GPU fan spins, inspect for bulging capacitors, and try a known‑good GPU or PSU if available. Observe ESD precautions and remove mains power before touching components. Helpful diagnostics for deeper analysis: motherboard model, GPU model, monitor make/model, connector/adapter type, and any POST beep pattern.

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Member Avatar for richh0323

Make sure all the boards are seated, they may have workes loose, and check the cables too

Member Avatar for jmcgonigal

Ok i'll check all the cards etc, anything else? I checked the connection to the monitor (it has dual outputs) and it appeared to have a firm connection.

I also had this problem when connecting this unit to this monitor a few months ago. I was unable to figure out what it was then either.

Member Avatar for SuperSam

Hi,

Boot in Safe mode and check the display. If the display is ok, try updating the video drivers by booting into Safe mode with networking and visiting manufacturer's site. (provided you have hi-speed)

Sam.

Member Avatar for jmcgonigal

I haven't been able to get the machine to display the boot. The display cuts out before the originial bios boot sequence is completed. I have tried to enter the bios setup, but was unable to even get that to display.

Member Avatar for richh0323

Do you have access to another computer, if so try the monitor on that computer, and try the problem computer on the other monitor. This will show you if the problem is computer or moniter. Now if computer, disconnect any cards, drives, that you can and see if it will boot. If it is OK with you're monitor it maybe the other monitor.

Member Avatar for jmcgonigal

Both the display and computer work when seperated. I'll try to remove some of the cards when I get back to the machine. Thanks

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