VGA Light, No Onboard HDMI Display Output *Please Help*

[PokemonButcher]

Hello! Could someone please help me with the problem I am troubleshooting?

 

I am trying to start up my computer for the first time, but I cannot get the display output on my monitor, and the VGA led on the motherboard persists. I can not enter my setup BIOS.

Initially, I was using the displayport cable through my GPU. Next, I tried the HDMI through the GPU. Still no display output. 

So, I started searching forums for a solution.

 

I removed the GPU and the case audio peripheral and ran the HDMI cable through the onboard port. Still no display output, and the VGA led persisted. 

 

I am using an Asus z390-e gaming motherboard, an Asus Strix RTX 2080 TI GPU, an EVGA P2 platinum PSU, and an Intel i7 8700k CPU.

 

I have been looking for deals and acquiring PC components for several years now, and I have finally embarked on my first build, hoping that it will last me for years to come. I am at a loss as to how I ought to proceed next, and would greatly appreciate any assistance in resolving this.

[TrueTaylor]

Lots of ways to go about this and its great you took the GPU out for troubleshooting to focus your issue further. Some things to consider: Does it boot cycle? Are you getting any error code on the motherboard?

 

You can also try to reseat the ram maybe, even use alternative slots(maybe theres a dead slot) or use only 1 ram stick(again narrow the focus). Also reseating the CPU may fix the issue. 

[PokemonButcher]

Thank you for your prompt and encouraging reply! 

 

I do not have any Boot led error, thankfully. I apologize for my lack of know-how, but, is that what you are referring to (boot cycle)? However, I AM getting a VGA led error on the motherboard. That has persisted despite removing the GPU.

 

I will try using just one RAM stick instead. While I am at it, I might as well reseat the CPU because, in order to get at the RAM (Corsair Dominators) I have to take out the air cooler, which doesn't allow for very much clearance (less than a mm).

 

I will provide an update, whatever the outcome. 

 

Should neither of those workarounds result in a happy motherboard, do you have any other suggestions?

 

Thank you!

[TrueTaylor]

6 minutes ago, PokemonButcher said:

Should neither of those workarounds result in a happy motherboard, do you have any other suggestions?

Hey just remember to quote me in the update so i get notified if you ask follow up questions

 

By boot cycle i mean does the motherboard leds and cpu fans turn on normally then shut off then start up again as if the computer restarted itself? For sure start off with reseating the ram and stuff first tho. Also make sure ur air cooler fan plugged into the cpu fan header so ur motherboard is happy.

 

There is lots you can do and the best of us run into a no post situation at some point. Asus has a decent support page that might be worth checking out as a follow up. In particular this page about no display out troubleshooting https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042632#3

[PokemonButcher]

12 minutes ago, TrueTaylor said:

There is lots you can do and the best of us run into a no post situation at some point. Asus has a decent support page that might be worth checking out as a follow up. In particular this page about no display out troubleshooting https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042632#3

Will do; thanks again!

[PokemonButcher]

18 hours ago, TrueTaylor said:

Hey just remember to quote me in the update so i get notified if you ask follow up questions

 

By boot cycle i mean does the motherboard leds and cpu fans turn on normally then shut off then start up again as if the computer restarted itself? For sure start off with reseating the ram and stuff first tho. Also make sure ur air cooler fan plugged into the cpu fan header so ur motherboard is happy.

 

There is lots you can do and the best of us run into a no post situation at some point. Asus has a decent support page that might be worth checking out as a follow up. In particular this page about no display out troubleshooting https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042632#3

Well, I don't know if it's good news or bad news, but it sure is news. XD

 

I unplugged some more peripherals (while the PSU was unplugged) and booted it up to find that I had onboard HDMI output to my display!

 

I was able to enter BIOS and found that it listed my CPU and RAM correctly. Excited, I checked to see if the VGA led error light had gone away; and, it had! However, the Boot error led was alight, when it had not been before.

 

All the fans were running, the CPU idle temp was a stable 21 *C and the power was not fluctuating. I tried restarting it a few more times, but the Boot error led persisted. 

 

So, now I have taken it all apart again. I am going to try again, OUTSIDE of the case with only the bare minimum components (cpu air cooler included). Then I will add the other cables one at a time, powered down, to see if I can isolate the Boot problem when/if it shows up this time.

 

 

[TrueTaylor]

@PokemonButcher That is great news and I hope massive relief! Now you should shift gears and see if u can get into BIOS via ur GPUs display out. Then to address the boot error make sure ur storage drive(HDD, SSD, NVME?) is showing up in BIOS, u may have to dig around a bit. If so, then move on to installing ur OS via a bootable USB or the like. 

[PokemonButcher]

20 minutes ago, TrueTaylor said:

@PokemonButcher That is great news and I hope massive relief! Now you should shift gears and see if u can get into BIOS via ur GPUs display out. Then to address the boot error make sure ur storage drive(HDD, SSD, NVME?) is showing up in BIOS, u may have to dig around a bit. If so, then move on to installing ur OS via a bootable USB or the like. 

Indeed! To that end, I am using two NVMe m.2 (samsung) and one HDD (seagate). For the time being, I have detached the SATA iii and power from the HDD, and I am now trying to navigate the BIOS to find the NVMe s. Unfortunately, if there is an explanation of a way to find one's storage device in the BIOS, I have not been able to find one in the instructions or on Youtube.

[PokemonButcher]

48 minutes ago, TrueTaylor said:

@PokemonButcher That is great news and I hope massive relief! Now you should shift gears and see if u can get into BIOS via ur GPUs display out. Then to address the boot error make sure ur storage drive(HDD, SSD, NVME?) is showing up in BIOS, u may have to dig around a bit. If so, then move on to installing ur OS via a bootable USB or the like. 

 

15 minutes ago, PokemonButcher said:

Indeed! To that end, I am using two NVMe m.2 (samsung) and one HDD (seagate). For the time being, I have detached the SATA iii and power from the HDD, and I am now trying to navigate the BIOS to find the NVMe s. Unfortunately, if there is an explanation of a way to find one's storage device in the BIOS, I have not been able to find one in the instructions or on Youtube.

 

Not five minutes later, I found them both in the BIOS! So, that is not the issue.

 

I have reseated the RAM, and currently only have the 24-pin power cable, cpu power, cpu air cooler fans, HDMI, and pwrsw cable connected, and the BOOT error led is still alight... 

 

I am going to try reseating the CPU, but I will have to wait to get more thermal paste.

 

Thank you for following up with my issue and providing constructive feedback!

[PokemonButcher]

On 5/31/2020 at 7:26 PM, TrueTaylor said:

@PokemonButcher That is great news and I hope massive relief! Now you should shift gears and see if u can get into BIOS via ur GPUs display out. Then to address the boot error make sure ur storage drive(HDD, SSD, NVME?) is showing up in BIOS, u may have to dig around a bit. If so, then move on to installing ur OS via a bootable USB or the like. 

Hello again,

I was able to get the GPU display output to work and I was successful in overcoming the BOOT error led!

I am currently able to access the BIOS and everything seems to be stable. 

Thank you for the assistance.

 

As far as the OS boot via a USB drive goes, ASUS has a less than clear way of getting the installation to initiate. I have tried following online instructions, whenever it restarts it takes me right back to the BIOS.

[TrueTaylor]

17 hours ago, PokemonButcher said:

Hello again,

I was able to get the GPU display output to work and I was successful in overcoming the BOOT error led!

I am currently able to access the BIOS and everything seems to be stable. 

Thank you for the assistance.

 

As far as the OS boot via a USB drive goes, ASUS has a less than clear way of getting the installation to initiate. I have tried following online instructions, whenever it restarts it takes me right back to the BIOS.

Great stuff! I always like this guide for setting up a new build: