[SOLVED] **Desktop PC No Video** - Phantom Issue

[Appletax]

Edit: I still cannot boot even after replacing the motherboard, CPU, PSU, RAM, GPU - everything.

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Got a Lenovo H430 desktop PC that will not display anything on the monitor - not even BIOS/UEFI.

It did when I first turned it on but now the screen is always black. It gave me a BSOD - "inaccessible boot drive".

I upgraded the machine a few months ago to Windows 10 and the customer had no issues until recently when he applied Windows 10 updates.


Tried:

• Barebones (removed all non-essential items/cords, USB cables)
• Swapped RAM with 2 different known-good sticks
• Tested power supply and used a new power supply
• Has integrated graphics, tried 3 different PCIe GPUs
• Tried two monitors and used VGA, DVI and HDMI cables
• Popped out the CMOS battery overnight & replaced the CMOS battery
• No signs of leaking capacitors
• Replaced the motherboard
• Replaced the processor
• Dusted

 

[Porthos]

Linux disk? PE disk? without the drive connected?

 

[Appletax]

Linux disk? PE disk? without the drive connected?

Can't load anything when I can't see anything. The screen is always black.

 

[Porthos]

The screen is always black.

Without the drive connected? Nothing except the mouse, keyboard, Monitor and PSU?

 

[Appletax]

Without the drive connected? Nothing except the mouse, keyboard, Monitor and PSU?

Yes, barebones

 

[Markverhyden]

I'd leave the CMOS battery out overnight. Then try powering it on without the battery. If you leave out the RAM do you get a POST code?

 

[Appletax]

I'd leave the CMOS battery out overnight. Then try powering it on without the battery. If you leave out the RAM do you get a POST code?

Without RAM, it makes noises that sounds like a song

Unplugged it, popped out the battery, pressed the power button for a while to drain the juices, and am letting it sit overnight.

 

[Markverhyden]

Without RAM, it makes noises that sounds like a song

I'm guessing it is this....

 

[GTP]

Tried a different Monitor?
Checked you haven't inadvertently bent a pin on the monitor plug?
Someone hasn't mistakenly plugged the monitor into the wrong port on the back of the PC?
Tried a different HDD (as suggested?)
Unplug all USB devices and retry?
Checked USB/HDMI ports for bent pins or damage?

 

[Appletax]

It sounds as if you've replaced every component except the obvious one - the hard drive. Why is that?

A bad HDD will not cause a no video issue where even the BIOS will not display - the display staying off always.

Tried a different Monitor?
Checked you haven't inadvertently bent a pin on the monitor plug?
Someone hasn't mistakenly plugged the monitor into the wrong port on the back of the PC?
Tried a different HDD (as suggested?)
Unplug all USB devices and retry?
Checked USB/HDMI ports for bent pins or damage?

Did it all.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Sounds like a bad system board at this point.

 

[mikeroq]

Motherboard went belly up. Replace motherboard.

 

[Appletax]

I guess the issue is either the mobo or the CPU

Motherboard went belly up. Replace motherboard.

Not the CPU?

 

[Alexey]

Not the CPU?

I think if CPU is dead or not present, there is no beep when memory is not installed. But this machine does beep.

 

[mikeroq]

I can count on one hand how many CPU failures I've seen over the last 6 years. Sure it's possible but it's far more likely it's the motherboard.

This is why you should have some processors to test with to rule that out.

 

[Markverhyden]

I can count on one hand how many CPU failures I've seen over the last 6 years. Sure it's possible but it's far more likely it's the motherboard.

This is why you should have some processors to test with to rule that out.

Agreed. Back when I was turning wrench at CompUSA I think I saw something like 4-5 CPU failures out of literally many thousands of repairs, many being dead machines.

 

[Appletax]

Placed a bid on this:

 

[Appletax]

Got the board today. Did not fix the problem. Works just like it did when I first got it:

1) Start -> Boots -> BSOD -> Inaccessible Boot Drive
2) Reboot -> Black Screen (ALWAYS)

Tried swapping out everything again including the monitor and used VGA and HDMI cables.

Even used the CPU that came with the mobo.

Nothing but a black screen - no BIOS, no nothing.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Sounds like a second bad board.

 

[Appletax]

Sounds like a second bad board.

What if it were the PSU or something else frying the board? AFAIK PSU's only degrade in output but don't cause power surges.

PSU tested fine w/ PSU tester.

The description for the board: used - this motherboard and processor were pulled from a working computer.