No monitor display after RAM installation

[awise11]

 I recently installed a stick of 1 GB ram on my computer. I have an EliteGroup 865G-M motherboard(http://www.ecsusa.com/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=411&CategoryID=1&MenuID=18&LanID=9 ) and I am running Windows XP. It has 4 slots and supports up to 4 GB of RAM. I had 2 sticks of 256 MB RAM in the blue slots already and added the additional 1GB stick. The computer boots up without a problem but now my monitor just gives me a black screen. It initially starts up showing the LG Flatron logo but then shows analog power saving mode and goes blank. I removed the 1 GB stick to return to my original set up and I still have the same problem. Please help!

[Accessless]

... The computer boots up without a problem but now my monitor just gives me a black screen....

How do you know the computer is booting up without a problem? Did the computer boot once or more with the new RAM installed?

In any case, first thing to do is to check connections (make sure the graphics cards VGA/DVI connection is not connected to the on-board graphics card if a full graphics card is available).
Next, try a different monitor.
After that re-seat all expansion cards and RAM.

Failing that try a minimum boot, unplug all hard drives, CD drives, all but 1 stick of RAM use the on-board graphics if available and not already in use. If that works then slowly add things one by one to find the problem component.

If that fails then reset the CMOS by either pulling the battery out for 2 minuits or using the reset jumpers (shown in your manual).
Finally try a different power supply.

If you are still not getting anywhere then it's time for a new motherboard.

[navyfalcon]

Check the CMOS settings
Also check the virtual disk size
These items should be checked after changing ram
also you should do a ram check
http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/ram-memory-diagnostics.shtml
-
hope this helps
falcon

[awise11]

Thank you for the suggestions. Unfortunately, none of that worked. How do I know for sure if the motherboard has gone bad? It seems like a strange coincidence that my board would go out at the same time I install new ram.

[Accessless]

I did forget to add trying different sticks of RAM (i.e. boot the computer with one of the 256MB sticks then switch it with another etc). But more importantly what did you mean by:

The computer boots up without a problem but now my monitor just gives me a black screen.

Which do you mean:
1. You switch the computer on and see the POST or motherboard logo. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-on_self-test)
2. You switch the computer on see the POST & Windows loading screen.
3. You switch the computer on only to receive the 'no signal' message from your display.

[awise11]

Sorry for not being more clear. I turn on my tower only to get the power save screen on my monitor. It may not actually be booting up properly. I just see the front light come on green and everything appears to be functioning. No blown capacitors or anything on my motherboard or video card either.

[Accessless]

And you went through all of these steps?:

1. Check connections (Connect display to current primary GPU).
2. Try a different monitor.
3. Re-seat all expansion cards and RAM.
4. Try all the RAM modules in the motherboard one at a time.
5. Minimum boot, unplug all hard drives, CD drives, all but 1 stick of RAM use the on-board graphics if available. If successful then, add components one at a time until the problem component is found.
6. Reset the CMOS
7. Try a different power supply. (The power supply box in the computer not another plug socket)
8. Replace motherboard.

Are you getting any beeps from the machine? If not then pull the RAM memory out, start the computer and see if you get any.

[Spoiler]

Have you tried to put the old RAM back into the machine and see if it works?

[Accessless]

Have you tried to put the old RAM back into the machine and see if it works?

I recently installed a stick of 1 GB ram on my computer. I have an EliteGroup 865G-M motherboard(http://www.ecsusa.com/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=411&CategoryID=1&MenuID=18&LanID=9 ) and I am running Windows XP. It has 4 slots and supports up to 4 GB of RAM. I had 2 sticks of 256 MB RAM in the blue slots already and added the additional 1GB stick. The computer boots up without a problem but now my monitor just gives me a black screen. It initially starts up showing the LG Flatron logo but then shows analog power saving mode and goes blank. I removed the 1 GB stick to return to my original set up and I still have the same problem. Please help!

[awise11]

I tried all of these steps except for using a different power supply (don't have one available). I also didn't hear any beeps with or without the RAM. What does that mean? Thank you very much for the help.

And you went through all of these steps?:

1. Check connections (Connect display to current primary GPU).
2. Try a different monitor.
3. Re-seat all expansion cards and RAM.
4. Try all the RAM modules in the motherboard one at a time.
5. Minimum boot, unplug all hard drives, CD drives, all but 1 stick of RAM use the on-board graphics if available. If successful then, add components one at a time until the problem component is found.
6. Reset the CMOS
7. Try a different power supply. (The power supply box in the computer not another plug socket)
8. Replace motherboard.

Are you getting any beeps from the machine? If not then pull the RAM memory out, start the computer and see if you get any.

[Accessless]

It means that your motherboard is for some reason not working correctly, placing the blame on either the PSU or motherboard. As you don't have access to a spare power supply you can test the power supply with a multimeter:

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/guides/testingPSU/

If you are not confident in doing this this then you will need to take the computer to a repair shop.

If the power supply is outputting the proper voltages (stated in weblink) then you will need to replace the motherboard.

[awise11]

Thankfully, that is one thing that I can do. I have a multimeter on hand and I appreciate all of your help.

[Geek-9pm]

Did he try NO RAM? Should get a long beep.

[awise11]

Tried no RAM and didn't get any kind of beep. Just tested my power supply and it checked out OK. Must be the motherboard I guess. It's just weird that it would go out from simply adding a stick of RAM. I know it was the correct type.

[Salmon Trout]

It's just weird that it would go out from simply adding a stick of RAM. I know it was the correct type.

Motherboards can get cracked from over forceful insertion of RAM modules or there may be a borderline connection somewhere which was tipped over the edge by slight flexing of the board.