[SOLVED] Can't see POST on startup, black screen only

trien27 · 03-19-2011, 09:47 PM

I have Windows XP & Fedora 14 on separate hard drives. I can't seem to see POST upon startup. Same for Windows or Linux.

MS3FGX · 03-19-2011, 10:13 PM

Well, you can't "see" POST. Power On Self Test is a system that alerts the user to errors via beeps of the motherboard speaker (or LEDs on newer boards). I suspect what you are talking about is the second stage of the BIOS, where you see the motherboard manufacturer logo, or a printout of detected hardware. This technically occurs after POST, since the video hardware needs to be functional at this point.

If you can't see this output from BIOS, then the problem is with your system's hardware, not Linux or Windows. It could be a bad motherboard, a bad video card, many things. We would need a lot more information to give any kind of advice, but since this is a hardware problem and not related to Linux, you should be keeping your eyes open for generic PC troubleshooting tips, not focusing on anything Linux or dual-boot related.

onebuck · 03-20-2011, 08:29 AM

Hi,

Or it could be a BIOS 'quiet' POST setup '/enable/disable' setting.

Sometimes the age of the CMOS battery will cause fault and everything defaults thus requires a new battery then resetting CMOS configuration(s).

trien27 · 03-20-2011, 05:36 PM

I meant all the words, etc... that occur after POST. I've just put in a new battery, same problem. None of the suggestions from web forums seem to help. It's mostly rubbish and hasn't helped at all in solving my problem. Sometimes there's two beeps, sometimes there's none.

onebuck · 03-20-2011, 07:15 PM

Hi,

You did enter the BIOS and change settings. Just changing the battery will not solve the issue until you reset things to the proper state.

I can understand your frustrations but the lack of specific information on your part has not helped the situation. We can only assist you with the information provided.

trien27 · 03-21-2011, 08:38 PM

You did enter the BIOS and change settings.
No, I did not. I cannot get into BIOS!

Only sometimes after plugging and unplugging the video cable to the port on the old motherboard, it will sometimes show everything, but when I'm able to see everything and able to get into BIOS settings with no beeps or keyboard or fan error messages, it would have no problems, for about an hour or so, then the problem will begin again. But as I've said, NOTHING can be seen, so how can I get into BIOS!!! I cannot get into BIOS. Stop jumping to conclusions. If I could get into BIOS settings, I won't even need to be here in the first place.

I rarely get into BIOS and change the settings. I only go in there when I need to change the Hard drive or cd/dvd rom settings.

Telengard · 03-21-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trien27

If I could get into BIOS settings, I won't even need to be here in the first place.

Check the manual for your motherboard to learn how to enter the BIOS configuration screen. BIOS is running, as evidenced by your assertion that it produces beeps. You just have to know which key to press after powering on. Usually it is Del, or one of the F-keys.

If you don't have the manual for your motherboard then check on the manufacturer's website.

I have never seen the BIOS logo/signon screen on my newest computer. I'm pretty sure it is because the video card just isn't ready to output data to my monitor before the BIOS logo/signon text flies by. The first thing I see is usually the Grub menu. Nothing is wrong with my hardware, and I can enter the BIOS by pressing the Del key within a couple of seconds after powering on.

Telengard · 03-21-2011, 10:07 PM

About those beeps, you may have some bad or dying memory. I'm not insisting that's what it is, but here:

http://hubpages.com/hub/BIOS-beeps

onebuck · 03-22-2011, 09:05 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by trien27

You did enter the BIOS and change settings.
No, I did not. I cannot get into BIOS!

Only sometimes after plugging and unplugging the video cable to the port on the old motherboard, it will sometimes show everything, but when I'm able to see everything and able to get into BIOS settings with no beeps or keyboard or fan error messages, it would have no problems, for about an hour or so, then the problem will begin again. But as I've said, NOTHING can be seen, so how can I get into BIOS!!! I cannot get into BIOS. Stop jumping to conclusions. If I could get into BIOS settings, I won't even need to be here in the first place.

I rarely get into BIOS and change the settings. I only go in there when I need to change the Hard drive or cd/dvd rom settings.

Calm down! Apparently you have other issues. If you do have beep codes sometimes then power the system down. Remove the memory and re-insert each module. Hopefully the wipe will clean the contacts. If not you can clean the edge on the memory and clean the connector;

Quote:

from old post of mine;

The age of the equipment and possible lack of maintenance would indicate that you should first pull the memory. You could have a dirty edge on the stick. You could try cleaning the system and connector(s).

You should first use good ground techniques, either with a grounding wrist strip or at least placing yourself at the the same potential level as the system by maintaining contact with the equipment.

I would shut the power off to the system and unplug the system. Clean the card edge for the memory using strips of new clean 20# paper with denatured alcohol. Swipe in one direction with folded wet paper for the edge, a new piece for each swipe. You can use a credit card to clean the connector if that is needed by folding the paper over the end of the credit card. But first you should use dry air to blow the connector out. In the USA it can be purchased at most computer/office supply houses, even Walmart has it. Then replace the card without touching the card edge.

BTW, don't use a eraser to clean/buffer the card edge. You are doing more harm then good.

I would then run 'memtest86' for a number of passes, possibly over night. If you get errors then you have a problem. Replace the bad stick. If the memory is used with bad data/address problems then you will getting nothing but nightmares!

I would not rely on the memory test performed by the 'POST'. 'memtest86' performs several pattern tests that will exercise the cells. There are better test but 'memtest has become a standard plus it's free.

If you are now able to POST after doing the above I would check using;

Quote:

memtest86+ is a memory tester which is based on memtest86 v3.0, and provides an up-to-date version of this useful tool, which aims to be as reliable as the original. It has been fixed to work on AMD64 systems, and also properly detects all current CPUs and motherboard chipsets. The project supports ECC polling for AMD64, i875P, and E7205, and displays some useful settings for the most popular chipsets

Try the above since you do seem to get the beep codes even intermittantly! By replacing the battery you may still have issues with the BIOS settings. Sometimes the revert will be to a unwanted state(default) that does not align with the present systems configuration. You can sometimes enter BIOS before POST via hot keys. Sometimes <DEL> or one of the <Fn> keys will get you into the BIOS.

BTW, I can understand your frustrations so please consider that we are trying to help here. Be patient, showing your frustrations will not help anyone with the problem solving. No one wants to help someone who vents their frustrations in the way you are. It's difficult trying to diagnose a problem remotely and not having all the information.

trien27 · 03-22-2011, 08:24 PM

I just got a new power supply and now the beeps are gone but a black screen is still there. I will clean the memory cards later and see what happens. So now everything except the monitor and memory cards are new.

trien27 · 03-22-2011, 08:58 PM

Cleaned the memory but same black screen and now the lights on my keyboard are not lighting up. Pressing F8 or other function keys doesn't work.

trien27 · 03-22-2011, 09:03 PM

I'm not venting frustrations, just telling exactly what happened. And no suggestions seem to help online, that's why I came here for help.

onebuck · 03-23-2011, 07:37 AM

Hi,

What about the beep codes? Still getting them? Do you have more than the on-board video installed? If you do have another video card then remove it and connect to the on-board port.

onebuck · 03-23-2011, 08:52 AM

Moved: This thread is more suitable in <Hardware> and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

trien27 · 03-24-2011, 08:00 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZccykxrtX9g solved my problem but I found out I had a different monitor, Samsung SyncMaster 932GW. Now that I know where the problem lies and how to fix it, I can't find the solution as to how to open the back cover [no screws, no grooves, just those around the side of the monitor.] to fix the monitor. Is there anyone who can help me figure out this out? Thanks.

PS Last time I posted the link and it disappeared. or maybe someone deleted it.