Optiplex 780, P2317HF, no VGA cable message

By any chance did you try the VGA cable from your other computer?  I would try that first.  Second, I'd try a different monitor.

It's rarer, but not too unusual for the VGA (or other display ports) to be a motherboard problem.  Motherboard replacement is cheap (eBay for one).  But with the 780 going back 10 yrs., it might be time for something a little newer.

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_display_projector/esuprt_display/dell-p2317h-monitor_user%27s-guide_en-us.pdf

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_display_projector/esuprt_display/dell-p2317h-monitor_setup%20guide_en-us.pdf

Your monitor provides a self-test feature that allows you to check whether your monitor is functioning properly. If your monitor and computer are properly connected but the monitor screen remains dark, run the monitor self-test by performing the following steps:

1Turn off both your computer and the monitor.

2Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer.

3Turn on the monitor.The floating dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background), if the monitor cannot sense a video signal and is working correctly.

While in self-test mode, the power LED remains white. Also, depending upon the selected input, one of the dialogs shown below will continuously scroll through the screen.

Hi Brad, thanks for replying, we tried all the different cables that we had and still same issue. Then we tried the 'turn on/off many times' trick and eventually (after a lot of noise from the tower) it displayed the dreaded blue screen PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA.

I'm trying to troubleshoot this but the problem is, the computer won't come on at all now. So I'm back to switching on and off again to try trigger the blue screen. Can't get into any of the 'F' keys. 

Tried to use the Windows 10 dongle installation fix but it won't even accept it or come on. Screen still black so I'm going to do more research. 

The Optiplex we've got is just a shell - it's had new processor, memory etc and it's got a nice amount of power. I bought it from a Microsoft reg refurb place and it's run smoothly until this. The only problem is, the place isn't open due to current situation. I'll keep researching and thanks for your help

@Smithie9 

Tried to use the Windows 10 dongle installation fix but it won't even accept it or come on. Screen still black so I'm going to do more research. 

What does that mean? 

780what, case size MT mini tower?

\Hi, I bought a refurb Optiplex 780 tower with P2317HF Monitor a few years ago for my daughter for schoolwork.\\\

the lid off means remove the side cover as the free manual tells for your PC at dell.com for your  exact PC.

The PCs monitor told  you the VGA port on you PC is dead. (and is)

the PC is dead.

when you turn on the PC.

sorry all I have are questions if I was there I'd have the bad part in hand in under 30 minutes work or less and I do have spare parts. all the time.

1. YOU TURN ON THE PC,
2. THE PC MAKES SOUNDS. (1 FAN FOR SURE NEAR REAR PC)
3. THAT FAN MUST WORK AND SPIN AND BLOW AIR OR THE CPU WILL OVERHEAT. (PSU fan too may spin ,but  CPU fan is #1)
4. THE POWER ON LAMP on the PC must glow (white, not amber ) and most not blink , if blinks those are error codes seen in your manual
5. if you get white LED on power and fan blows, ok, the F2 key must work
6. power on and hammer (kids call it spamming) the F2 key,  and BIOS screens magically show on the monitor.
7. how far can you get here?

All the above must be told first. or progress will be zero.

next is F12 diag. once PC wakes up.

one more tactic is

pull the PCs AC  line cord from wall and let PC sit for 1 hour or more before trying again.

if PC still dead the battery inside PC is BAD,. all are this old.

RTC coin cells do not have 10 year life spans ,spec is 5-7 years.

Yes seen some ok 10 years me, but are at 2.9v and near death, why allow this to happen i can not ,know. it is silly to skip this IMO. and gross waste of anyones time like this. for SURE.

780 was the last BTX Optiplex.  Dell switched to ATX in Optiplex 790.

Because the 780 shell can only take BTX motherboard, upgrade potential is quite limited.  The refurb may be using the stock motherboard but enhanced core2 duo or quad cpu (e.g., E8600 @ 3.3 GHz) as well as max ram (up to 16 gb ddr3).  

Blue screen typically means system crash, but to get there it needs to pass boot or POST. If screen is black, you need to figure out whether it is a boot or video issue.  One thing you can try is disconnect power cord, press power button for a few seconds to drain power, then open the lid (easy pop like opening hood of car by pulling a latch at side), and remove CMOS battery (coin button battery) from motherboard (be sure to ground your fingers on metal chassis first to avoid static).  After 5 min, put the battery back and try to boot again.

For more advanced reset, try to find a reset jumper on motherboard and reset CMOS.  Dell has a knowledge base article on this.

google 

Troubleshooting Dell OptiPlex 780 No Boot, Solid Green Power LED, 123 DIAG LEDs.

Replacing the size 2032 can often be a first ditch effort.  In this case by now, it would be a last ditch effort.  I'm not saying don't try it though.

I still think it's the MB.  First VGA went, and now the thing won't turn on.  I take it the PC didn't give you any diagnostic lights, #'s 1, 2, 3, or 4, or a combination thereof.

The possibility of it being the PSU was thought of, but then I don't think VGA would go out and the PC still ran (temporarily).

If you want to have a look:  Optiplex 780 Tech Guide 

Optiplex 780 Owner's Manual  Then scroll down to see manuals for the various sizes, whether you have an MT, DT, SFF, or USFF.

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When you see that BSOD error, first check memory/RAM.

The reason for the PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA error on the computer may be that the RAM chip is not properly connected or the slot is dusty, or the RAM stick is damaged, so I suggest you test your RAM to see if this error can be resolved.

1. Turn off the computer completely and remove the side panel.
2. Remove the battery and unplug all power cords.
3. Remove the RAM chip and check for dust. If it is, remove the dust. If not, replace it with a new RAM.
4. Re-plug the RAM stick and restart the computer to check if the computer still appears PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA error

If your computer has multiple RAM sticks, then you need to find out which one is wrong.

not sure me what you mean by a SHELL.? (means non dell PC case chassis?) no way on BTX no way.

Now  we know it was refurb (means dust off only or lots of upgrades first even down grades sold used)

The BIOS is dead, so why in the world think the HDD can boot much less windows, 10?

learn PC rule #2 after coin dead,  BIOS must work first or the PC IS DEAD.  F2 must work and is your GOAL.

oK? and F12, both. OK??

The PC is dead. the monitor works on any 2nd PC and shows  you it did lie to you  the VGA port is dead on the PC.

The F2 key working first is first after the first ditch is tried.  (love those ww1 quotes, 1st or 2nd ditch, war fare slang)

The BIOS does not work with the RTC coin cell dead, everyone knows that . why think that old cell is good,? ever that old, why? why make simple problems 10x harder,

Like your car will not go and the gas tank is empty and keep cranking it over endlessly,  (why do that)?

when the coin is dead and you unplug the AC cord, the NVRAM goes SCRAMBLED< and BIOS GOES Dead or totally wild, and totally unpredictable.  if lucky the F2 log error page tells you BATTERY DEATH. but my NOT.

ok back from walmart with  expense $1 battery in hand. (watch department has em) 2032, ask for help there.

remove the HDD, you do not need the HDD there to get F2 BIOS or F12 screens

then power on and run F12 diagnostics. 

if still no VGA error makes sure no GPU cards are in the CASE (shell?)  BTX fan for CPU must NOT BE DEAD>

the HDD must not scream, load (SOUNDS) I AM NOW DEAD AND CRASHED or CLICK LOUDLY same reasons./

test the PC with no HDD, after all any device in any PC on earth can in fact short out. more Chaos.

if all this fails, and can,  we strip the PC to find cause.

that is it ,

power the PC on

the Power lamp does what?' on PC.

the monitor shows NO VGA signals sure)

the PC fans run for sure CPU fan or it will oveheat fast.

power and hammer the F2 key if BIOS IS dead so be the PC< we fix dead first, true cause, and never try to install w10 on any true dead PC, or waste your time doing that.

F2 is goal and F12 diag working./

It's this fix : https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Thank you so much for your reply, I think this is what the problem is. I've just e-mailed the guys who sold it to me for further guidance on this (they might call me when I try to take case off etc). 

Thanks, I think this is what the issue is. It's this/battery issues definitely. I've e-mailed the sellers and they've replied so hopefully they will guide me whilst I'm taking the case apart . 

Thanks, I'll take a look at this, I think I've got the SFF model.

By 'shell' I meant the actual original Dell tower but with new DVD RW drive, RAM, hard drive video card etc.

I managed to get PC on then we rolled back a Windows update. All seemed fine except now won't accept password even though correct. Did all the Microsoft password troubleshoots, no joy. Then we installed Windows 10 again from a flash drive. Worked like a dream for 2 hours. PC back on and working fine. Then it just went off again with the 'no VGA signal' error again.