Monitor is stuck in standby mode please help!

[jared5494]

My computer went on standby and i tried to get it off standby mode and my computer froze. i then restarted my computer and the monitor's standby light remained lit. i have tried 2 different monitors and both immediately turned to standby when plugged in.

computer specs:
motherboard: asus a7m266
processor: amd athlon 1.4GHz
Operating system: windows xp home edition
monitor: NEC AccuSync 90
graphics card: Visiontek Geforce 3
sound card: creative labs; sound blaster live value
memory: crucial 512 pc2100 ddr sdram

i have tried the following:
1) restart
2) unplug and replug everything
3) switched monitors
4) 2 hour unplug

i really need help
thanks in advance
-jared weinfurtner

 

[mudskipper]

Well, if you actually unplugged the power for 2 hours, plugged back in, and the monitor(s) still don't give video, then we look at hardware.

Start by unplugging your front panel buttons (esp the reset button) and short out the power switch pins momentarily.

If that does not work, unplugg all IDE/Floppy cables from motherboard, take out all cards except for the video card, try again. (you might also try your video card in another system). Basically, get it down to Powersupply, CPU Vid, RAM, MB. You should at least get beeps from the motherboard (or ideally, a POST screen).

Go from there. Good luck.

Oh yeah....XP home will sometimes choke coming out of standby with some Geforce drivers, so if that continues when you get back up and running, try updating those drivers.

 

[jared5494]

thanks but im going to have to retry in the morning
it was really weird earlier....one time i turned it on and everything booted up fine....i was in windows xp and the comp froze again....when it restarted my bios check said i only had 400megs of ddr memory instead of 512 (2, 256 chips)and it restarted itself and the monitor went back to standby...really freaked me out

but thanks i hope it works
-jared weinfurtner

 

[jared5494]

"Start by unplugging your front panel buttons (esp the reset button) and short out the power switch pins momentarily."

are you talking about the wires coming from the power/reset button to the motherboard?? and how would one "short out" the power switch pins??

thanks!
-jared w

 

[mudskipper]

I mean that you should unhook the front panel wires from the motherboard. Once this is done, use a screwdriver (or something conductive) to short the two pins that the power button should connect to. Only short it for a second, and the computer will kick on. If everything works, then you have a problem with those connections/switches.

HOWEVER, if you got it to boot on a fluke, and it counted your RAM incorrectly, then I doubt that the front panel buttons have anything to do with it. My first guess is RAM, second is motherboard. If you have a local computer shop nearby, call and ask if they will test your RAM. They might just plug it into a machine to see if it gets video. Couldn't hurt to ask.

 

[Pyramus]

I've had a problem identical to this. The monitor was broken so the manufacturers ended up taking it away and repairing it.

 

[jared5494]

well i have tried several monitors on the same graphics card so i am really doubting its the monitor but who knows =)

-jared w

 

[ANFPS26]

Have you swapped the RAM? You have ruled out your monitor. From your symptoms "it restarted my bios check said i only had 400megs of ddr memory instead of 512 (2, 256 chips)". I would reseat the RAM. Try one stick at a time and see if that is it. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing....."

 

[jared5494]

thanks nobrain
i cant get to my computer til tomarrow so then ill see... im outta town

but thanks!
-jared w