Welcome guest. Before posting on our computer help forum, you must register. Click here it's easy and free.

Author Topic: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...  (Read 11725 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

ashleygl

  • Guest
Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« on: October 28, 2006, 04:17:16 PM »
Hi everyone,

Anytime I start my computer, I get this message:

Self Test              G

Check Your PC
                           R
And Signal Cable

Monitor is Working B

I've done some internet searches to figure out what it is, but I've ran out of options.

Here's what I've tried so far, from different solutions I've found online:

Switched the monitors
Switched the monitor cables
Switched the power supply cords
Took out a battery on the motherboard and put it back in after waiting awhile

Some other people I've read that have had this problem heard some beeps when starting their computer, but I don't hear any.

Has anyone ever seen this before? Any other ideas on what I can do to try and get this working again?

Computer is eMachines C2480, Windows XP Home Edition.

Thank you in advance!

Raptor

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2006, 04:56:24 PM »
Since it says RGB, can you pull up the OSD and set it to a different input? D-SUB fore example?

If you only have a D-SUB connector; can you replace the videocard?

ashleygl

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2006, 05:09:53 PM »
Hi, thank you for your reply. Sorry if this seems completely obvious, but how do you pull up the OSD and change it to another input?

As far as the video card, I'm pretty sure it's an onboard video.

Raptor

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2006, 05:30:49 PM »
Quote
Hi, thank you for your reply. Sorry if this seems completely obvious, but how do you pull up the OSD and change it to another input?

As far as the video card, I'm pretty sure it's an onboard video.

Then put in an expansion videocard.

OSD = On Screen Display.. Where you change the Contrast, etc..

ashleygl

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2006, 05:42:51 PM »
I'll check if I have another video card in another computer I'm not using, I'll let everyone know how it works out. I tried to pull up the menu (OSD) on the monitor and nothing happened, just that same Self Test message. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know.

Raptor

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2006, 05:49:02 PM »
What type of monitor is this? CRT/LCD? What brand? What year?

ashleygl

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2006, 06:11:01 PM »
I don't have another video card, so I won't be able to try that one suggestion unfortunately. The monitor is a CRT, eMachines... not sure of the year but it's newer.

Raptor

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2006, 06:14:04 PM »
Does it have two connectors on the back? One for RGB and one for D-SUB (VGA)?

ashleygl

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2006, 06:20:16 PM »
No, just the one connector. Also, when I looked on the back for the connectors, the date of the monitor is 2003. I don't know if that makes a difference.

Raptor

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2006, 06:22:55 PM »
And you're certain all the cables are firmly plugged in?

I'd try switching videocards and testing the monitor on another PC.

ashleygl

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2006, 06:27:34 PM »
Thanks again for the replies. I have triple checked the cables so many times. It's starting to make me go crazy, because I really don't know what it could be. I just tried the monitor on another PC and it works fine.

GX1_Man

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2006, 06:28:42 PM »
Now try another monitor on this PC. That should tell us where the problem is.

Keep the link to this page. Do you have a manual? If not, that is there also.  ;)

http://emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=C-Series&model=C2480
« Last Edit: October 28, 2006, 06:34:36 PM by GX1_Man »

ashleygl

  • Guest
Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2006, 06:31:21 PM »
I already tried another monitor on the PC, and nothing happened. I didn't even get the Self Test Check Your PC etc etc message. Just a blank screen.

Fed

  • Moderator


  • Sage
  • Thanked: 35
    • Experience: Experienced
    • OS: Windows XP
    Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
    « Reply #13 on: October 28, 2006, 07:02:22 PM »
    If you don't even get a POST screen (white writing on a black background) your PSU would be the 1st suspect.

    ashleygl

    • Guest
    Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
    « Reply #14 on: October 28, 2006, 07:05:35 PM »
    Thanks for the link to the manual. I actually tried the eMachines tech support, and the guy suggested unplugging all the cables inside and replugging them back in. I did that, and still nothing.  :-?

    ashleygl

    • Guest
    Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
    « Reply #15 on: October 28, 2006, 07:08:40 PM »
    Quote
    If you don't even get a POST screen (white writing on a black background) your PSU would be the 1st suspect.

    Yeah, that makes sense. Thank you. I just realized when unplugging those cables, that when I plug the power supply back in, it makes a really weird humming sound that I never heard before.

    Is it hard to replace the PSU?

    Fed

    • Moderator


    • Sage
    • Thanked: 35
      • Experience: Experienced
      • OS: Windows XP
      Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
      « Reply #16 on: October 28, 2006, 07:18:51 PM »
      It's a simple task but if you don't feel confident you may be able to get a friend who can do it for you.
      Do you know anyone who would lend you one to try before you purchase one?

      GX1_Man

      • Guest
      Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
      « Reply #17 on: October 28, 2006, 07:33:16 PM »
      Usually only four screws once the case is opened and unplugging and replugging wires.

      http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=how+to+change+power+supply

      ashleygl

      • Guest
      Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
      « Reply #18 on: October 28, 2006, 09:10:05 PM »
      So I got a newer power supply (one that was in a computer that was barely used), figured out how to get it out. Took the power supply that I figured wasn't working in the problem computer... only to realize that the two power supplies are different so I can't even hook the other one up to the problem computer to try it. I put the power supply back in the problem computer for now, and it powers up so I didn't ruin it. Now I'm confident that when I get the right power supply I'll be able to switch them. It'll be a few days now before I can post an update to see if that will work. In the mean time, anyone else have any ideas?

      patio

      • Moderator


      • Genius
      • Maud' Dib
      • Thanked: 1769
        • Yes
      • Experience: Beginner
      • OS: Windows 7
      Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
      « Reply #19 on: October 29, 2006, 08:27:34 AM »
      No further ideas are needed as you are on the right path...don't let them talk you into a cheap PSU...they're kind of an important part of a well running machine.
      " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

      Raptor

      • Guest
      Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
      « Reply #20 on: October 29, 2006, 04:02:06 PM »
      Did you try swapping the videocard yet?

      I'd reset the CMOS.

      Just to get things straight: The PC does power on, right?

      ashleygl

      • Guest
      Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
      « Reply #21 on: October 29, 2006, 07:37:15 PM »
      The PC powers on, but the only thing that shows up on the monitor is that Self Test Check Your... message.

      Raptor

      • Guest
      Re: Self Test Check Your PC And Signal Cable...
      « Reply #22 on: October 30, 2006, 12:00:24 AM »
      Reset the CMOS.