Troubleshooting

Graphics Cards Products Trouble-Shooting Guidelines

Symptom

Possible Cause

Action

No display screen after setting up a new system with the Display Card

i) The Display Card is not seated properly in the motherboard expansion slot.
ii) The signal cable between the Display Card and the display monitor is not well attached.
iii) The display monitor is not receiving power from the AC mains.
iv) The motherboard may have built-in graphics function which is in conflict with the add-on Display Card.

i) Check that the Display Card is seated properly in the motherboard expansion slot.
ii) Check the signal cable from the Display Card to the display monitor.
iii) Check the power at the display monitor.
iv) Check the motherboard and set the built-in graphics function to disable if necessary.

Display screen defect, wrong color, or serious distortion on the screen

i) The display monitor may not be supporting the current horizontal/vertical resolution and refresh rate as required by the Display Card setting.
ii) The connection between the Display Card and the display monitor is not in good condition.

i) Check the current horizontal (kHz) frequency, vertical refresh rate (Hz) of the display card setting in Windows. If necessary, try entering Windows Safe Mode (press F8 when booting Windows, then select Safe Mode) to confirm the basic display output function in the standard-VGA 16-color mode.
ii) Check the connection cable between the Display Card and the display monitor.

Cannot switch to high resolution, high color modes in Windows

i) The display card driver software is not properly installed in Windows, or in conflict with some other device in the system.

i) Install the display card driver software in Windows, by auto-run from the display card bundled CD.

Some LCD display monitor screen goes to blank during booting Windows

i) Driver software for the LCD display monitor is not yet installed.
ii) Display resolution and setting is beyond the working range of the LCD display monitor.

i) Install the driver software bundled with the LCD display monitor.
ii) Change the display resolution and refresh rate, by entering Windows Safe Mode first.

Motherboards Products Trouble-Shooting Guidelines

Symptom

Possible Cause

Action

No response from the PC system when trying to startup by pressing the on/off button

i) AC mains power is not attached, or AC mains power switch is not turn on
ii) DC input cables/plugs not properly attached at motherboard's DC input sockets
iii) Short-circuit condition is detected in the PC system, power supply unit enters short-circuit protection mode

i) Check AC mains power cord attachment, and AC mains power switch on the back of PC (Power Supply Unit)
ii) Check to make sure all the necessary DC input sockets on the motherboard are plugged properly
iii) Check for any short-circuit condition in the PC system, when the motherboard is mounted in the PC enclosure

Power on/off button responded, power LED light up, but cannot establish a valid display screen

i) Power Supply Unit in the PC system is faulty, or not meeting the specification of that hardware configuration
ii) The +12V DC cable from the Power Supply Unit is not plugged to the motherboard
iii) Display card is faulty, or not installed properly, or not configured in CMOS (long beep followed by two short beep sound)
iv) RAM modules not installed properly, or RAM compatibility issue (long beep sound repeatedly)
v) System conflict due to faulty components or poorly attached modules in the system, e.g., harddisk drive cable loose or expansion card not installed properly
vi) CPU may not be supported on the motherboard

i) Check the Power Supply Unit for proper function and specification rating
ii) Check the +12V DC cable, make sure it is plugged properly at the motherboard
iii) Check the display card for proper installation, or the CMOS setting (Clear CMOS by jumper, then load CMOS Default)
iv) Check for properly installed RAM modules, or change to some other type of RAM modules
v) Check for faulty components or poorly installed modules in the system, by removing temporally from system
vi) Check for supported CPU type, and upgrade to newer BIOS if necessary

System startup with a display screen, but stopped on the POST screen without booting

i) CMOS Checksum error - CMOS configuration content lost or corrupted
ii) RAM check failure - Some RAM failed during testing
iii) BIOS Checksum error - BIOS FLASH IC was corrupted
iv) No valid bootable device found
v) CMOS parameter changed by accident, resulting in conflict or unstable system
vi) CPU may not be supported on the motherboard

i) Check if motherboard's backup battery was exhausted, and renew the backup battery
ii) Check if some RAM modules are faulty, or having compatibility issue
iii) Try to re-write the BIOS FLASH IC with correct content
iv) Check for valid bootable device attached - hard disk drive, Floppy, CD-ROM Drive, or LAN Server
v) Clear CMOS by jumper setting, then try enter CMOS Setup to load Optimized Default, Save and Exit
vi) Check for supported CPU type, and upgrade to newer BIOS if necessary

Fail to boot the Operating System, while the previous bootup was successful

i) Hard Disk Drive is corrupted, or infected by computer virus
ii) Conflict at the Hard Disk Interface (IDE) port, when additional devices are added
iii) CMOS configuration related to Hard Disk configuration was corrupted
iv) Hard Disk or motherboard interface is faulty

i) Re-install Operating System, or do a software repairing by running the Operating System installation again (select System Repair)
ii) Check for proper Master / Slave configuration at the Hard Disk Interface (IDE) port devices
iii) Enter CMOS to load "Optimized Default", or adjust according to actual installed Hard Disk Drive
iv) Check Hard Disk or motherboard interface by replace with proven modules

Memory cannot run in Dual Channel 128-bit mode, showing 64-bit mode on POST screen

i) Memory modules are not identical in type / capacity and speed
ii) Memory modules are not installed at the suitable RAM Slots

i) Check to make sure memory modules are installed in identical pairs (two or four pieces)
ii) Check to make sure memory modules are installed at color matched RAM Slots

Random failure, system hangup, Windows blue screen failure, related to RAM compatibility

i) Memory module's factory setting specification is too fast for the motherboard
ii) Memory module is faulty, or not properly installed at the RAM Slots

i) Try adjust CMOS RAM frequency and timing, or look for newer BIOS to improve
ii) Check that the RAM modules are properly installed, and if any is faulty by removing and relocating to other RAM Slots

Cannot display in higher resolutions or higher refresh rates

i) Display driver software is not installed properly, or conflict with other software, or corrupted
ii) The resolution and refresh rate of the display monitor had reached maximum possible configuration
iii) Display adaptor (or built-in display logic) is faulty

i) Remove and re-install the display driver software
ii) Check the specification of the attached display monitor
iii) Check the functionality of the display adaptor (or built-in display logic)

Abnormal color on the display monitor

i) Broken or loose connector at the display output (display adaptor or built-in display)
ii) Display Driver corruption or conflict with other software
iii) Display card or built-in display function is faulty

i) Check the display output port connection
ii) Remove and re-install display driver
iii) Check and replace display card, or change built-in display to add-on display card

Some LCD display monitor screen goes to blank during booting Windows

i) Driver software for the LCD display monitor is not yet installed
ii) Display resolution and setting is beyond the working range of the LCD display monitor

i) Install the driver software bundled with the LCD display monitor
ii) Change the display resolution and refresh rate, by entering Windows Safe Mode first

PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 Mouse no response

i) PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse are exchanged when plugged into the respective sockets on the rear panel of motherboard or PC main unit
ii) PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 mouse is faulty

i) Check the PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse for proper connection, and that they are not exchanged
ii) Check functionality of PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse for proper function, by replacing with proven units

No output from the Rear Panel Audio Out Port (audio driver installed correctly)

i) Jumper block connector for "Rear Panel Audio Out" had been removed, to facilitate "Front Panel Audio Out" function, or connector fallen off by accident
ii) Rear Panel Audio Out circuitry or connector is faulty

i) Check the jumper block for "Rear/Front Panel Audio Out"
ii) Try verifying by changing to "Front Panel Audio Out" configuration

Abnormal audio output

i) Audio software driver is not yet installed, or the installed driver is in conflict with other software in the system
ii) Audio hardware logic is in conflict with other device in the system

i) Remove and re-install the audio software driver
ii) Try remove other add-on devices, e.g. expansion cards, then load CMOS "Optimized Default"

Cannot record sound from the Mic-In Port (audio out is normal)

i) The installed microphone is not a "condenser" type, while the motherboard Mic-In circuitry is expecting the "condenser" type microphone (middle contact of the Mic-In port provides DC-Bias voltage)

i) Check the installed microphone for "condenser" type

Front Panel Audio Port cannot work (Rear Panel Audio can work)

i) Wrong signal wiring at the "Front Panel Audio Cable" connection
ii) Jumper block connector for "Rear/Front Panel Audio" is not configured properly

i) Check for correct signal wiring at the "Front Panel Audio Cable"
ii) Check for correct configuration at "Rear/Front Panel Audio" jumper block

Front Panel USB Ports cannot work (Rear Panel USB Ports can work)

i) Wrong signal wiring at the "Front Panel USB Cable" connection
ii) A front USB port circuitry is faulty or the USB connector damaged

i) Check for correct signal wiring at the "Front Panel USB Cable"
ii) Check the Front USB port function by attaching to another USB header connector

Cannot access the local area network

i) Wrong jumper setting, or wrong CMOS configured for the on-board LAN
ii) LAN connector (socket) faulty, or LAN plug (cable) faulty

i) Check for correct jumper setting, or CMOS configuration for the on-board LAN
ii) Check the LAN connector (socket), and LAN plug (cable)

Intermittent failure or poor performance with DVD/CD-ROM drives (IDE type)

i) DVD/CD-ROM Drive connection cable loose, or jumper setting wrong
ii) Operating System (Windows) is not configured for Bus Master UDMA mode

i) Check the DVD/CD-ROM Drive connection cable, and Master/Slave jumper setting
ii) Install the Bus Master UDMA driver, or set the Operating System to run Bus Master UDMA mode for the DVD/CD-ROM Drive

Low performance in accessing IDE hard disk drives

i) Operating System (Windows) is not configured for Bus Master UDMA mode

i) Install the Bus Master UDMA driver, or set the Operating System to run Bus Master UDMA mode for the hard disk drive

System hangup or restart randomly

i) RAM compatibility / reliability issue
ii) Power Supply Unit capability / reliability issue
iii) System thermal issue (overheat of CPU...etc)
iv) Software issue (driver software conflict, virus infection, system resource conflict...etc)

i) Check for RAM reliability by replace with proven RAM modules, change CMOS setting for RAM access
ii) Check Power Supply Unit specification
iii) Check for system temperature and ventilation
iv) Check for virus, try remove add-on expansion devices and the related software driver

System shutdown unexpectedly

i) Short-circuit in certain system power lines, activated "auto-shutdown protection"
ii) Power Supply Unit overloaded, causing "overload" protection
iii) Thermal-Shutdown due to CPU / System overheated
iv) Software issue, e.g. Virus infection

i) Check for short-circuit condition in the system unit, e.g., motherboard mounting post contact
ii) Check for Power Supply Unit specification
iii) Check for overheating at the CPU and System Temperature
iv) Check for Virus infection