Is it the computer ( hope not) Or the monitor?

by lattegirl Dec 22, 2003 4:55PM PST

After finally finding an adapter that would work with my old monitor for my new computer, I plug everything up preparing to utilize my newly built computer and I get this message: "Signal Error - Hf 0.0 Vf 0.0" from the monitor screen. I turn it off and on (the monitor)a couple of times to no avail. I plug it back in to my old computer (the one on which I am typing) and no problem.

I really can't afford a new monitor right now, is there any to solve this without purchasing a new monitor? My old CPU is PIII/550/16MB Video/SB 5.1 Live
New CPU is PIV/2.4ghz/128MB Video/SB Audigy.It wouldn't be an internal problem with the new computer would it? Please advise as I am ready to load Windows on new computer and begin using it. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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It is the computer.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 22, 2003 9:21PM PST

The story is usually a new PC builder and something is broken, misconfigured, METAL MOUNTING POINT shorting out the back side of the motherboard, and the list goes on and on.

It's highly likely the machine has issues you need to fix first. Since it's new, just take it back to the supplier and ask for them to show it working.

A common first time builder mistake is to put all the parts in and fire it up. Baby steps are a better idea. Just motherboard, one stick of memory, video, CPU/HeatSinkFan (CPU/HSF), power supply and the speaker is all thats needed for the BIOS SCREEN to show. The number of BEEPS is important too.

Bob

Bob

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Re:It is the computer.

by lattegirl Dec 26, 2003 5:50AM PST

You mentiond beeps.. what should I be listening out for /how many beeps should I be listening out for? The new computer will boot up and I hear beeps, but since I can't see anything because of the monitor error I don't know if there is also a start-up error or not.

Also, are there any simple things that could also cause this error? I use a gender adapter to (HD15 F / DB9 F) allow the old monitor to plug in to the new computer, and I make sure everything is screwed in correctly. But just in case, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't skipping over something very simple.

Thanks.

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First clue I see is "(HD15 F / DB9 F)" adapter.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 26, 2003 7:06AM PST

That's it. There are many old Apple fixed frequency monitors that are not recycleable for use on PCs.

When posting in such forums, reveal what you can so the forum can help you.

Bob

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Re:First clue I see is

by lattegirl Dec 26, 2003 2:35PM PST

I think you misunderstood what I posted. I don't own an Apple/I-Mac I have an old PC AND also a new PC.
I cannot use my old PC monitor without the gender adapter because my old PC monitor is a 15 pin male plug. My NEW computer requires a 9 pin female monitor plug. -- Hence why I had to buy the adapter to even use it with the new PC. -- (15pin female/9pin female)

But what my problem is as I stated previously, I do not receive a signal with the new computer now that I can use the monitor, it gives me a signal error.

And I wanted to make sure I was not skipping over anything obvious as to why I am not receiving a signal on the monitor before I start pulling a brand new computer apart.

I did try a different monitor (a new one) with the NEW computer and it also gave a signal error. Any other suggestions?

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Luck is with us here.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 26, 2003 9:18PM PST

You need to reveal the make/model of the video card in the new machine. Let me state that 9-pin video connector have not been around for over 10 years. It's entirely possible you don't have a video card in the new machine.

Your description of " My NEW computer requires a 9 pin female monitor plug. " describes the serial port of a motherboard and not the video. 9-pin video connections were female (Mono, CGA, EGA) and why serial ports are male is that it had to differ from the video connection of the day.

Bob

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Re:Luck is with us here.

by Michael Geist Dec 26, 2003 9:27PM PST

It sounds as if Bob is indicating the true nature of the porblem. You may be plugging the monitor cable into the wrong port on the motherboard.

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Re:It is the computer.

by lattegirl Dec 26, 2003 2:38PM PST

Also again, how many beeps should I listen out for to determine a succesful boot up as a opposed to an error message?

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Re:Re:It is the computer.

by Cursorcowboy Dec 26, 2003 10:36PM PST

The BIOS performs a power-on self-test (POST) (a built-in diagnostic program that checks system hardware to ensure that everything is present and functioning properly, before the BIOS begins the actual boot), a test which is used to ensure a system is functioning properly. When a problem is identified, the BIOS will normally produce an error message. In some cases, since a problem may be detected so early that the BIOS cannot even access the video card to print the message, a series of beeping pattern will be produced on the speaker to tell a user what the problem is. The exact meaning of the beep codes depends on the type and version of BIOS. A site to check for BIOS Post Codes is BIOS Central -- please note the box in the upper right-hand corner identifiying the system BIOS used on the system which you must know.

Note: A single beep during the boot process -- usually right before the BIOS startup screen is displayed, is normal and does not indicate a failure as long as the boot process continues.