D-sub signal error

[cornemuse]

On another (other than this one, access with KVM switch) computer, I am getting after post (<- it sees hdd & sees cd-dvd rom) 'd-sub signal error' from the monitor. its an EIZO works with other (5 total) computers on the KVM switch. This happens with an older version of XP 'and' an older version of UBUNTU. I can enter bios, it sees either hdd (via swappable drive bay trays) & cd-rom. leave bios it reboots & that error message shows up again. It shuts off quickly via power button, like when there is no hdd connected to mobo. I had tried to install DVDFab, it wouldnt install, after a minute or so the 'hourglass curser' disappeared. Never started XP or ubuntu again. The computer is a relativly cheap 'Biostar' mobo, onboard video, 2 gigs ram. I even switched out psu, nada. (I hope this makes sense!)

Any ideas???

-corne-

[Nelson37]

Bypass KVM switch and connect suspect PC direct to monitor. Check any primary video card settings in BIOS. Boot to safe mode.

My suspicion would be a failure to fully boot Windows, or an extreme delay, with KVM displaying msg due to a timeout error or simiilar. Boot failure would explain fast response to power off. Assuming momentary press and not 5-second hold for off switch.

You are not getting display, and there is a secondary and easily removable device inserted in the path between PC and display. Simplify scenario and remove likely source of problem.

[cornemuse]

Bypass KVM switch and connect suspect PC direct to monitor. etc etc

I didnt consider this, but when I tried, same issue. Even tried a diff monitor, uh uh. I attached the (xp) hdd via usb to another computer, It showed up (in 'my computer') and dropped out quickly, dis & re connect, same thing again.
On the bench I 'jumpered' the psu, (both, actually), it (original one) powered up for a second or two, & stopped, maybe that was the initial problem. ??

-c-

[Nelson37]

On the suspect PC, during the initial problem, do you notice all fans and all indications of power cease, or do they continue to function?

When you say you jumpered the power supply, do you mean that you bypassed the mobo power switch and got PSU functionality, while disconnected totally from a mobo or any other components? IMO, this is a useless test. A PSU is meant to power a mobo and components, it either does this or it does not. A good one does, a bad one does not. What it does when not connected to a mobo and components is not generally useful to know. For instance, I think they are supposed to shut down with no load, but not sure as I don't really care to test in that manner. If it fires up a mobo and components, good to go, if not, test the mobo and components, and if they are OK, replace the PSU. PSU is a high-probability failure point.

Put the problem PC back in its original configuration, recommend direct and simplified connection to KB and monitor. Fire up, enter BIOS, stay there for an extended time. If failure, disconnect hard drive power and data cables and repeat. If success, use a bootable CD or DVD, like a live Linux or Windows disk, boot to the optical and stay there for an extended time. While testing, no mouse, no network, no speakers, no USB, nothing connected to PC but power, monitor, keyboard. Absolute minimum needed for functionality.

Sounds like possible bad hard drive, but this should not completely eliminate display. Testing a hard drive with a USB connection introduces more variables into the equation, the goal is to avoid this. You have simply added several other possible ways to fail to the equation. To test a suspect hard drive, connect the drive to the secondary PC in the same way, using the same data cable, so that the only changes are mobo and PSU. A possible next step would be to swap PSU in secondary PC with suspect PSU, depending on test results.

[cornemuse]

All fans running, then, stop, jumpered suspect psu fan starts, then stops, known good psu jumpered fan starts, stops when' un-jumpered'

Jumpered = shorting between the green & any black wire on 24 pin connector to mobo (obviously not connected to mobo!) While this is not conclusive proof of good psu, the fan not starting is likely indication of bad psu.

Cant make either drive in comp work, no matter what, completly non-critical computer/data/useage, its junk, I'll keep the case.

Tried re-installing ubuntu, no go, tried unstall in diff computer, no go, (swappable drive bays!). Tried reinstall with hdd connected directly to mobo, nope. (removed side cover etc) as I said, I'll just keep the case. Maybe the psu took the hdd's & mobo with it when it immolated??

-c-

[Nelson37]

What have you done to verify the original PC is non-functional? The original problem was no display past BIOS.

Swappable drive bays? Avoid at all costs, especially eliminate when a drive is suspect.

Did any PC function with the suspect drive attached, but unused? Did the original PC function with a good power supply?

Sure, you can chuck it cause you can't get it to work and can't determine the problem, depends on how cheap it was. But - rare for a PSU or surge to take out a hard drive, rare for a bad mobo to pass BIOS check. I would check the original mobo with a known good psu and a boot CD, the HD in another known good PC as a secondary drive and just re-partition and format. Then go forward from there.

Or just give up and buy some new parts.

[cornemuse]

What have you done to verify the original PC is non-functional? The original problem was no display past BIOS.

Tried different known good psu, still wouldnt work with either drive.

Swappable drive bays? Avoid at all costs, especially eliminate when a drive is suspect.

Removed both drives from trays & connected directly to mobo, neither worked

Did any PC function with the suspect drive attached, but unused? Did the original PC function with a good power supply?

Connected drive to good comp. as usb drive, showed up in 'my computer' for a very short period & vanished. (other usb drives/thumbs/card readers work with this comp)

Did the original PC function with a good power supply?

Tried different Known good psu, still wouldnt work with either drive.

Sure, you can chuck it cause you can't get it to work and can't determine the problem, depends on how cheap it was. But - rare for a PSU or surge to take out a hard drive, rare for a bad mobo to pass BIOS check. I would check the original mobo with a known good psu and a boot CD, the HD in another known good PC as a secondary drive and just re-partition and format. Then go forward from there.

Or just give up and buy some new parts.

I will try a bootable cd but the thing is, I had a case, a mobo, memory, a drawer full of hdd's, etc, sitting around, & put it together. Didnt use it much, hardly at all, mainly used ubuntu, on the net. I will install ubuntu on another drive & see if it recognizes the suspect ubuntu drive connected as usb. If I can get ubuntu installed again.

[Nelson37]

Here's the deal. Both swappable drive bays, AND usb drive enclosures, will eff up a drive unmercifully. In order to verify, you need to boot the PC with a known good drive, OR use the suspect drive as a secondary drive in a good PC, delete the partition structure, RE-BOOT, then create a new partition and format. Mfgr's specific drive tools can also be used for this, and are sometimes necessary. Suspect drive MUST be directly connected to the mobo with no intervening hardware to do this properly. Standard OS install to such a suspect drive as a standalone without doing the above steps will often fail.

Double check power interface on drive for looseness or damage. Use a new SATA cable.

USB enclosures should NEVER be used for drive diagnostics.

When you say "Wouldn't work", do you get the same d-sub signal error you started with? Does the same thing happen with no drive whatsoever connected? That error should most definitely not happen due to a drive error. With no drive, the msg "no boot device available" or similar should stay on the screen till hell freezes over. Boot to the BIOS menu and check temps if available. Let it sit for an extended period to verify basic functionality.

Eliminate all but one memory chip, if failure swap with one other stick, unplug ALL possible components, drives, cards, etc.

"Wouldn't work" is not useful information. Error msgs and exact description of procedure might be.

Start with the original problem and eliminate that before going forward. If the board shuts down with no drives attached, it's not going to get any better with more components connected.

Biostar mobos are cheap crap. I wouldn't walk across the street to pick up a working one. Maybe for the CPU and RAM.

There is something definitely wrong, but exactly where the problem lies has not yet been determined. You must start by first verifying functionality at the lowest level, mainboard, PSU, CPU, and RAM, before determining if the problem is somewhere else. Simplify the system in all possible ways, Isolate and Identify. For an example, I would first test boot with no keyboard or mouse attached. Yes, they absolutely can cause similar problems, but there is no possible way than can be an issue if they are not connected. Carry that concept through to all components.

[cornemuse]

Solved, i think.

The first psu was definetly bad, the second one it seems, was weak, it put out somewhat less than 5v & 12v. A 650 watt Thermaltake psu added to the system fixed things, to a point. The hdd with ubuntu is definetly dead, it just 'clicks', & dosnt show up on other computer(s). The hdd with windoze works ok, got a message about recovering from a 'serious malfunction, you want to send an error report to big brother bill?'

The dead hdd is a 15 yr old WD 30 gig drive, like I said 'no big loss'
The good one is only 14 yrs old, WD 40 gigs.

-c-