Solved No display, CPU and GPU fans don't spin. Very old PC

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Paulik

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Dec 6, 2024
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Hi guys, my very old PC rig, which someone from my family currently uses, has broken. Two days ago, a green screen appeared (a whole display in one color). After reset there was no display, just info on the monitor: "Out of range" or something like that. When I turn on the computer, the fans on the GPU start and stop. Case fans and PSU fan work correctly. I thought it might be a GPU failure but I remember that last time when the previous GPU failed, the motherboard gave some sound codes that this is a GPU matter. This time there are no beeps when everything is plugged. I did some tests and here are the results:
1. I removed the GPU and turned on the computer, the mobo gave one long and one short beep. I read in the manual that this indicates memory or motherboard failure.
2, I removed two RAM sticks, same behavior as above
3. I placed two remaining RAM sticks in different slots and mobo gave continuous short beeps, which according to the manual indicates a power error...
4. There were the same continuous short beeps when I inserted GPU again (with RAM configuration as in point 3)

I don't know which part failed, because I suspected GPU failure but the sound error codes misled me totally and I'm confused about what should I replace.
PC conf:
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-H55M-USB3
Processor- Intel Core i5 750
GPU - Sapphire Radeon R7 250X VAPOR-X 2GB
Memory - I cant identify exactly, there are four sticks and I had 8 GB of RAM. Maybe KINGSTON DDR3 4x 2GB
PSU - BeQuiet Straightpower E7 600 W
SSD - Samsung 840 EVO 250 GB
HDD - WD Blue 1 TB
 
Out of range is usually when someone has cranked up the display resolution for the graphics card beyond what the screen can handle.
Sounds like you tried removing the GPU and plugging the monitor into the motherboard graphics port.

What is your OS?
If Win7, get in Safe Mode by repeatedly hitting F8 as the PC starts.
If Win10 or Win11, start the PC and as it starts hold in the power button to shut it down. Repeat that three times and it will go into Advanced Startup Options.
Use that to restart in Safe Mode.

Once in Safe Mode you could either try getting into Display Settings and changing the screen resolution, or go into Programs & Features and uninstall the graphics driver.
 
I did what you asked for and:
1. Reseating memory - nothing changed
2. I tried to boot into win10 safe mode but the "Out of range" message persists
3. I cleared CMOS. The computer started, made one beep, and then restarted but the issue persists

I can't put the GPU into another slot, because I would have to unplug all hard drives and unplug the power button
 
Have you tried an alternative video cable.

Edit to add: I forgot to ask, do you have an alternative PSU that you can swap in for testing purposes.

Paulik said:
I can't put the GPU into another slot, because I would have to unplug all hard drives and unplug the power button
Click to expand...

Physically remove the add on GPU from the PCI-E slot on the MB and put it to one side.

Put just one stick of RAM in the slot nearest to the CPU.

Connect the screen to the appropriate video port on the MB.

Connect a keyboard.

Connect the power cord, turn on the power, post back with an update.

Just a fyi, if you get an out of range or a No Signal message on a monitor it means that the screen is okay and that the problem is with the source of the video or/and the cable that carries the video signal.

In addition to the above, not all BIOS beep codes are the same and VRam failure on a GPU can also result in two error beeps and likewise removing an add on GPU can cause the same beep pattern and this again down to no VRam being detected during POST.
 
Sorry, I didn't have time before to try what you suggested. I looked at the thread to see whether some other responses appeared.
I tried the HDMI cable, and there is no display at all. There isn't even an "Out of range" message.
Unfortunately, I don't have an alternative PSU.
phillpower2 said:
Physically remove the add on GPU from the PCI-E slot on the MB and put it to one side.

Put just one stick of RAM in the slot nearest to the CPU.

Connect the screen to the appropriate video port on the MB.

Connect a keyboard.

Connect the power cord, turn on the power, post back with an update.
Click to expand...
So should I remove the GPU from PCI-E and try to run with an integrated graphics card in the CPU? If so, then if I remember correctly this CPU does not have integrated GPU.
 
Paulik said:
So should I remove the GPU from PCI-E and try to run with an integrated graphics card in the CPU? If so, then if I remember correctly this CPU does not have integrated GPU.
Click to expand...

Yes.

I do believe that the MBs video ports are supplied via a video chip on the MB and not from on die on the CPU, it wasn't a thing way back in 2010 when the MB was first released.
 
I removed the GPU and connected the display port cable to MB. No display (without "Out of range" message) and again there were continuous short beeps.
 
PeterOz said:
I think the cpu does not support graphics
Click to expand...

It doesn't Peter, the MB only supports CPUs that pre date Westmere CPUs which were the first to have on die video such as Intel HD.

The MBs user manual is very confusing, the below is some of what it says;

Onboard Graphics Integrated in the Chipset: (Note 2)
- 1 x D-Sub port
- 1 x DVI-D port (Note 3) (Note 4)
- 1 x HDMI port (Note 4)
- 1 x DisplayPort (Note 4)
Click to expand...

(Note 2) To use the onboard DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D, and D-Sub ports, you must install an Intel CPU with
integrated graphics.
Click to expand...
(Note 4) You can use only one of the onboard digital graphics ports (e.g. DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI-D) for
output when in the BIOS Setup program or when during the POST screens.
Click to expand...

Am I misreading note 4 which to me suggests that there is a limited video output that does not work outside of the BIOS.

Paulik,

Can You try the RAM in the second slot away from the CPU for us please, try each one of the four in that slot, do this both with and without the add on GPU in place.
 
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With GPU:
1 stick: Out of range message
2 stick: Nothing, just a blank screen
3 stick: Out of range message
4 stick: Nothing, just a blank screen

Without GPU:
For all sticks, there were 1 long beep and 1 short beep
 
Did you try each of the four sticks one at a time in the second slot.

Are any of the fans spinning up.
 
You 100% need to try an alternative PSU.

The MB looks to be dead but there is an outside chance that the +12V rail on the PSU is bad, this is the rail that provides the power to the hardware that has the biggest power draw, the CPU, GPU and the mainboard.

Fwiw, because the beep pattern changes when you move the RAM around there is hope for the MB.
 
If this doesn't help, I will have to buy a new PC, so I will buy a new PSU anyway because I don't think replacing the MB in such an old PC makes sense. Should I look at something specific to buy a PSU that is compatible with this rig, or can I buy any PSU with a minimum B/C tier in the PSU tier list?
 
Buying a new PSU appropriate for this build would be a waste of cash if it turns out that the GPU or MB have failed, reason being that what you need for this build is nowhere near the quality and cost of a modern gaming rig, you will get away with a decent Bronze efficiency rated EVGA PSU whereas a new gaming rig needs a minimum of a Gold efficiency rated PSU from a proven brand.

Best I can suggest, ask a local tech what they will charge for testing your rig with an appropriate PSU, see if you can borrow something like a 500W Bronze efficiency rated PSU or purchase a used one of the same spec off something like ebay, just make sure that you get a 100% assurance off the seller that the PSU is in full working order, brands to look out for Corsair, EVGA or Seasonic, if nothing changes you at least have a PSU that you can keep for any future testing that you may need to do.
 
Paulik,

You revisited the forum but left no reply, do you still need help or should we assume that you no longer require assistance.
 
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