My son's eMachine has apparently stopped sending a video signal.

From what he says, it's not detecting any failures with its startup diagnostics.

The existing video driver is on the motherboard. Could he just add a video card? Or won't he be able to set it up without the existing video out?

Thanks,

ford2go

 

Tried a different monitor to confirm it's not the monitor?

 

As furball says, it might be the monitor.

Are you getting the POST 'beeps'? If memory serves me, there should be 1 beep if everything is normal.
I think 4 beeps is a signal that something is wrong with the video.

In any event. . . . IF the monitor is not the problem. . .
If you cold boot the pc and hit the 'hot key' to get into set-up (normally, either the DEL key; or the ESC key; or the F2 key) and then 'turn off' or 'de-select' onboard video.
Save changes and exit from set-up.

Shut down the pc.
Unplug the pc and open the case.
Find an open slot (hopefully either PC Express or an AGP video slot) and then purchase the proper video card, and install.
(The pc/motherboard manual should also denote what type of slots are onboard.)

 

does he see the initial bios screen then it goes black or does everything not work?

Some monitors have a Degauss button that kind of resets the screen. Try doing that..

As previously noted try a new monitor but don't forget to check the connections on the back of the monitor as well as the pc..

You can add another video card without any problems.. just plug the monitor into the new card not the original..

 

Thanks for the input, I'll pass it on. (The kid is all growed up now, and lives in another town).

Thanks,

ford2go