Computer starts up but only get a black screen

[drod91]

Hello everyone

When I started my desktop today, I got nothing on my monitor. The tower completely powers up: cooling fan, CPU fan, DVD burner, etc. The monitor stays idle with the amber light on. I don't have a clue as to whats going on.

Please help

Thanks in advance

[GX1_Man]

Try another monitor on that computer while contemplating your next post.

A lot more in the way of details would be helpful. What happened prior to this, operating system, details on the computer, etc.

See below.

[drod91]

Hello

Thanks for the advice

I just tried using my old monitor and same thing happens  

I usually use my computer to surf the net, check e-mail, and listen to music sometimes

Computer specs:
XP w/SP1
P4 chip
512 DDR RAM
Sony DVDR

A friend says it might be my video card since everything else seems to power up

[GX1_Man]

I don't think I would start there, but you can try your friend's video card to test that theory I guess.

The monitor never powers on? Just the amber light?

I would start byt removing and reseating the video card. What are the specifics of the power supply - maker, wattage and age?

Out of curiosity why no SP2 on the machine? Is this XP Professional?

[drod91]

Yes, the monitor never powers on, just the idle amber light

I re-seated the video card and it still didnt work  

The power supply is made by TigerPro, 300 watts, and its roughly a year old

Its XP Home w/SP1 and my friend said that I didnt need to install SP2 since I already have Norton installed

[GX1_Man]

Yes, the monitor never powers on, just the idle amber light

I re-seated the video card and it still didnt work  

The power supply is made by TigerPro, 300 watts, and its roughly a year old

Its XP Home w/SP1 and [highlight]my friend said that I didnt need to install SP2 since I already have Norton installed[/highlight]

Your friend is definitely WRONG on this one. I would start by testing another known working power supply.

[DaveLembke]

I agree with the fact that it is most likely the power supply, but have also seen where if a video card goes bad or the focus is changed to the integrated video vs the video card in your video card slot, and your monitor is plugged into the video card, you might get a black screen.

If there is Hard Drive activity like it is booting up, but no screen, and your motherboard has an integrated video VGA jack, I'd try swapping your monitor over to that. Also, try removing the video card and run off of integrated if there is one.... If none of this, then 90% o fthe time, its a power supply bad, lo voltage condition on one of the regulated feeds from the power supply or amperage is low and with the load of the hardware, the voltage is below operating limits.

Dve