Help needed! New PC doesn't work/no monitor signal detected

V

Vexed

Member
Hi all,

So I recently purchased the Minerva from PCSpecialist and it arrived this morning, which is about the end of the good news. For those unfamiliar, spec here: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/systems/pc_specialist_minerva_system_review/1

Bought a new Monitor (BENQ GL2450) off Amazon to go with it. But when I plug it into my machine the monitor reads 'No signal detected.' It knows the cable is plugged in fine both ends otherwise it would say 'No Cable connected.' The same problem arises with both a HDMI and VGA Cable.
Tried plugging my old laptop in with the HDMI cable to the monitor and it works fine which leads me to presume the monitor is OK and the problem must lie with the PC.

I don't know a lot about the interior workings of a PC, but the PC does appear to turn on. I'm convinced the problem must be very simple but I'm not sure what it is.

Any suggestions would be appreciated
 
steaky360

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
Have you definitely plugged the monitor into the GPU outputs as opposed to the motherboard outputs? That'd be one thing to try, also check to see if the GPU fans are spinning up (indicates its plugged in and functional).

Are there any beeps when you turn the PC on? It should beep once (POST - 1 beep typically means 'all ok').
 
V

Vexed

Member
I plugged it into the only one my HDMI cable would fit into which I think is the motherboard output (The one with all the USBs on). Will locate a different type of HDMI cable and plug into the Graphics Card. Hopefully the issue is as simple as suspected and these are 1st time idiot owner problems, thank you.
 
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steaky360

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
You need to plug it into one of the graphics card outputs :) Otherwise it wont work - there should be a DVI out on the graphics card if you cant find a HDMI out :)
 
V

Vexed

Member
Bought a HDMI to mini-HDMI adapter and plugged it into the correct port and the problem still persists. The lights and fan at the front are all going. On the motherboard by the red start button there is a digital Q-Code on which it says FE in red letters and there is also a small red light by where it says DRAM_LED. I don't know if they are relevant but that's what happens when I turn the power on.
There appears to be that one beep you mentioned before straight after I press power.

Thoughts?
 
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steaky360

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
You can try to remove one ram stick, try to boot. If it works insert the other stick (back in to the same slot you removed it from) and see if that helps - might be that one of the ram sticks isn't plugged in correctly (although I'd still figure it would boot to bios..).
 
V

Vexed

Member
Unfortunately trying each RAM stick by itself had no effect. I'm not convinced the GPU is on when I turn the machine on and that would explain why there is no image. Is there a way I can check this?
 
steaky360

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
If the fans are spinning then the GPU will be on, but you can try to take the GPU out and put it back in (re-seating) this might help.
 
V

Vexed

Member
Cant take it out right now without a screwdriver but I can confirm the GPU is definitely on when the PC is. Might see if I can buy a DVI cable tomorrow, but I don't have much hope in that miraculously solving the problem.
 
steaky360

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
If you can see the fans spinning on the GPU then its likely the card is at least receiving power. There may be a light on it too.
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
steaky360 said:
I kinda figured it would auto select - but that's a very good point!! :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, have had it occasionally where it won't auto select, sometimes because previously it's been manually set, but sometimes there doesn't seem to be any logical reason for it... always worth checking.
 
V

Vexed

Member
The monitor is definitely on the right input, and it works when connected to my old laptop.
Sort of re-seated the GPU, as in unclipped and reinserted it but didn't remove it entirely as it felt like I was lifting the whole PC. I don't think that is the issue anyway.
Also tried the RAM sticks individually and in the other pair of clips and the problem is the same each time.

Exactly what happens on the motherboard @ boot:
CPU LED goes red and QCode cycles through numbers (lasts about 1sec)
DRAM LED light is permanently red and QCode reads FE, lasts until power is turned off.
No monitor activity, the single BIOS beep occurs in power-up as well.

This is kind of annoying me as I paid £20 to have dispatched 5 days later in the first place...
 
samcol

samcol

Bronze Level Poster
Give PCS a ring and tell them exactly what you're getting - I had similar problems and unfortunately went through 3 RMA's changing different components.

The GPU is a little stiff to get out - just make sure you unclip it and give it a firm pull, as they'll probably ask you to take it out and test on-board graphics by plugging the hdmi in to your motherboard with the GPU out.
 
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