Computer has no video signal

 

There are four LEDs on the back of the computer to aid in diagnostics.  When you push the power button are these lit?  If lit, are they all green, or are some of them amber?  You can find the description for the various light and sound codes here:

 

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/adtshoot.htm#wp1043338

 

 

When you start the computer does the monitor flash or give some sign of getting a signal, or does it simply stay dark?  You could also try removing the lithium coin cell from its holder to reset the NVRAM (unplug everything, especially power, open the case, remove the cell, push the power button for ten to fifteen seconds to discharge everything, put the cell back in its holder + sign facing you, reconnect the monitor, keyboard and mouse, start it up again).

 

If you still aren't getting anything you should be able to install a PCI video card (nVidia is preferred on a PCI machine - FX5200, FX5500, FX6200).  Since you don't have a way to view the existing setup you will need to go to safe mode if the new card shows anything.  The usual procedure is to force Windows to use a standard VGA driver by telling it not to use the onboard video.  The VGA driver is useable on all video cards, but is low resolution.  If you can't get the onboard video to work you have no way to do this before you install the PCI video card.  Safe mode uses the VGA driver, as does setup.  If the card works in safe mode you can go to the Device Manager, select the Intel Video Adapter, open its properties, and use the drop-down menu at the bottom of the box to set it to "Do Not Use This Device - Disable".  You should then be able to restart in Normal Mode and install the driver for the add-on card.

 

When you removed the lithium cell you also cause the bios setup to reset to its defaults.  The default setting for the video is Automatic which allows the bios to detect and use an add-on video card.  Another thing that it does is reset the floppy drive to 3.5 inch 1.44 MB so on a boot you will get an error saying that you have a seek error on the drive and to press F1 to continue.  If you are successful in getting an add-on card to work you can deal with that problem later.  Unless, of course, you actually have a floppy drive in which case you can leave it alone - you won't get the error.

 

Hi JackShack,

 

All of the diagnostic lights are green. Can I add a video card to the PCI slot with the integrated card still being connected?

 

Thanks for your help!