Black Screen on PC

[markwilding]

I switched my PC on this morning and got nothing on my screen. I've checked the monitor and it works fine.
The insides of the computer all switch on fine and I think it must be the graphics card.
Before I buy a new one, Is there any advice on what type I need and if it's as easy to install a new one as it was when I did one a few years back.

[dxf]

Hi

Before shelling out money, just check the cables are in correctly and haven´t moved. If you can borrow another screen from a friend etc.

Davexf

[markwilding]

I've done all that. Monitor works with other laptop and I've plugged in the PC to another monitor.

[knowal]

You could also try removing and reseating the graphics card, after carefully cleaning the slot.
If it still does not work it's probably new graphics card time.

[Enrique]

Hi Mark,
Have a read through and see if you have missed any checks............

http://tinyurl.com/3a4a844

What is the make/model and year of your system

[markwilding]

I'm still checking cables and such with no luck

Computer is HP pavillion bought in the summer of 2008
It has Window vista upgraded to 7
4gb ram
2x500gb hdds, however, one disc got corrupted so I took it out and didn't feel the need to replace it.
it has an AMD phenom cpu with 4 prosessors, I don't remember the graphic card
one other upgrade was a blu-ray recorder

[Enrique]

Hi Mark,
Need the model number of your Pavilion....please

The ones I'm looking at have dedicated Graphics cards so will be easy to swap out if required.

[markwilding]

I can't find the number but It does use a dedicated graphics card. Any suggestions? not expensive but with enough power to playback blu-ray if needed.

[Enrique]

Hi Mark,
The model number will be on a barcoded sticker on the case.(rear ?)
I take it you haven't reseated the the Graphics card as you would know what it is.
When you power up the system can you see/hear any life.
When first power on, systems do POST , if problems at this level there will be a bleep or two.
once past POST you will get disk activity( disk light will flash and you will hear disk.
Are you getting this far

Have a search through some of these Graphics cards that may fit your budget/needs........

http://www.cyberlink.com/prog/support/c ... do?id=2577

[markwilding]

i'm getting absolutly nothing on the screen but I can hear it the computer starting, no beeps though.

[gretch]

Hi, I occasionally get something like this, I unplug the system, but when I plug it back in and try to boot up, it goes black again. Then I just press the reset button and follow the on-screen instructions.
Works every time for me…….oops, shouldn’t have said that, should I?

[markwilding]

Just a quick update
The problem was the graphics card. A new one arrived from Amazon today, took about 15 mins in total to install and works fine....Thanks to everybody who helped for the advice.