Computer not working properly [FIXED]

[Cobra Dude]

Alright, my gaming rig computer has not been working properly. Once I go to turn it on the tower works just fine, but nothing will show up on the screen. Once I refresh the monitor it tells me that the HDMI is not connected. Obviously it was, so I tried rewiring the system, opening it up and cleaning the (massive wads of) dust, I have used compressed air, I looked up my problem online, and so far it has been just one long waste of time.

You might be thinking that calling customer service is a good idea, but nah, their best solution was to send it up their way so they could look at the issue and fix it the best way they can for an amount of money I do not have. So I ask you Escapist goers if you can take a few moments out of your day to help me troubleshoot this problem than I will be deeply great-full.
Computer Info:

Manufacturer:HP-Pavilion

Processor:AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.2GHz

Memory:3070MB RAM

Hard Drive:309 GB

Video Card:NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT

Monitor:HP w2408 Wide LCD Monitor

Sound Card:Realtek HDMI Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)

Operating System:Windows Vista? Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)

EDIT:
I have had my computer for about 3 or 4 years and it has never done this before. The tower itself seemingly works fine (the light lights up, the cd slots are fine), but I have tried pluging it up to another monitor with absolutely no luck. This started happening 2 weeks ago.

 

[dududf]

$10 Says that either your BIOS is toasted, or your Vid cards dead.

If it's the vid card, then it'll be piss easy to replace that ol' card. If not, then the mobo will be a pain to replace.

*Edit I speak this from experience, as my bios toasted on me a while back and as such I had to replace it. After that BAM problem fixed.

Actually, I'll list every possibility.
1) Vid cards toast
*Solution Buy a new Vid card, hell you could upgrade for cheap.
2) Bios is Toasted
* Solution, buy a new Mobo
3)The guy below me said maybe the HDMI cable is broken.
*solution, BUY A NEW CABLE Derrr.
4) Vid card output socket may be damaged.
*solution Send it to a repair shop (vid card)

 

[MurderousToaster]

I personally don't have a clue in the slightest. I'm not particularly technically-minded, and I find these forums not a particularly good place for technical advice (most people don't know or don't really want to post in these threads). There are other places you can go to (Several specialised technical forums). Have you tried checking that your HDMI cable isn't just broken?(as the most obvious thing I could think of).

At least I bumped your post, if I didn't help much.

 

[Cobra Dude]

1) When _exactly_ did this issue first start happening. That machine isn't brand new, so has it been working perfectly up until now? Or did it just start occuring after......

2) Try a different monitor
3) Try a new HDMI Cable
4) If power is failing to be delivered to your monitor and it's remaining completely off (there's a difference between the color of a screen that's 'off' and one that's got power, but no image).
5) Find out if you have an onboard GPU on your mobo, if you do, make sure it's turned off, and your bios is looking for the 8500GT.

There's more, but find out the answers to that first. And get back to me.

Edited the main post with the answers

 

[Cobra Dude]

They're telling you to just send it to them because "when I hit the case's power button the monitor says theres no signal" is almost zero information.

If theres actually something wrong inside the case, the on-board speaker (if you're lucky enough to have one) will emit a series of beeps after you hit the power button. The sequence will tell you whats wrong. If theres no series of beeps, its the HDMI cable or the monitor (or on-board speakers were determined to be too expensive). If its not running at all (no fans, no beeps, etc), its the power supply.

You do have a point, but as I said the tower works fine. If there were any beeps or buzzes I would have properly addressed them.

 

[dsmops2003]

If you have an aftermarket videocard unplug the cable and switch to a VGA(blue) cable and test against the motherboards built in video to rule out a monitor issue and post back.

Also if anyone is interested we have a computer help group here: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Computer-Help

 

[dsmops2003]

Side Note: upgrade to Windows 7 if you get a chance. Its much better than Vista.

 

[dsmops2003]

If you have an aftermarket videocard unplug the cable and switch to a VGA(blue) cable and test against the motherboards built in video to rule out a monitor issue and post back.

Also if anyone is interested we have a computer help group here: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Computer-Help

Dang, I didn't know about that, I'll try to pop in every now and again to see if I can lend a hand on anything.

Cool The more eyes looking at a problem the better the odds of coming to a solution. Welcome aboard.

 

[dsmops2003]

Side Note: upgrade to Windows 7 if you get a chance. Its much better than Vista.

But still worse than xp

Agreed. However XP does lack the PAE functionality of 7 which I do give it a +1 for that.

 

[dsmops2003]

Side Note: upgrade to Windows 7 if you get a chance. Its much better than Vista.

But still worse than xp

Agreed. However XP does lack the PAE functionality of 7 wich i do give it a +1 for that.

Yeah, that is kind of annoying, I'll agree to that one lol.

Do you use any linux?

 

[dsmops2003]

Do you use any linux?

Not since High School. Never got around to getting it on my home PC, and never used it during work. My friend Ryan uses it though.

I prefer nix to windows for most things. It just lacks gaming compatibility with most "popular games" however there are a bunch of open source games that are on par with the for pay ones. You should dual boot or boot it from a thumb drive or cd/dvd and play with it more. You may find you like it. There is also a program called Wine that will run "most" windows programs in nix.

 

[LiftYourSkinnyFists]

Try a VGA cable with your graphics card, that'll tell you if it's just the HDMI playing up.

You would know if it's your toasted card through beeps your bios however I don't think that is the case.