anybody know why my computer starts and runs but monitor switches on and then it switches back to standby mode before anything appears on screen, computer still running seems to read cd rom for a few seconds but with no display cannot see what is wrong.
Would appreciate any suggestions or assistance with this problem Many Thanks, FRED.

Is this a new problem? Were things working OK before?

Does the monitor show the BIOS POST?

Have you tried another monitor?

Have you tried the on-board VGA port (if available)?

Hi Jephree,
Thanks for your interest, bought compaq computer but only case m/board cpu fitted plus f/wire and modem no drives at all.
The reason my neice suffers with cerebal palsy and i thought i could save her money{oh Dear} Well i put ram in drives and cdrom in plugged it into my monitor {which i use daily} and as it started up monitor s/w on but s/w off before anything on screen.
Obviously no operating system on this machine, but cannot access bios either.Note no beeps on boot cannot find speaker in case.
Things i have tried,Clearing c mos with jumper, removing battery for approx one minute fitting known good graphics card tried to load graphics drivers BUT no thing on screen to let me know what is going on.The cd lights up and appears to read for a few seconds then stops ,have downloaded bios upgrade tried to load but cannot tell whether it has loaded because no graphics.

No cannot see post
Tried another monitor
onboard graphics but tried another g/card.
Jephree am having trouble with this site find it confusing tried to answer your questions but auto disconnect came up then switched me off my answer to you and gave me a new answer box to fill in so i dont know if you have received my original reply hope you have.
Note i am a pensioner so bear with me ,thanks for your interest. FRED.

Re my monitor problem { not solved} i am even having trouble accessing my posts on this site i still not sure how i got here,
Anyway this monitor stays in standby mode continuously { as previously stated turns on and off at boot was not correct}
Note i have never seen this computer working, only got m/board cpu&fan +case psu ribbon leads.
Fitted ram h/drive etc boots okay but nothing visible on screen does try to read cd rom but still nothing on screen.
Screen is known good all connections checked all correct trid clearing c/mos removing battery,removing and reinstalling ram, known to be perfect note no beep codes but speaker pins on m/board have no plug on them also cannot see speaker in case however sound on board does make noise at boot when speakers connected.
This is a difficult one because the m.board could be faulty or anything,however because it runs and trys to read i think that this is a minor problem that one of you kind chaps can help me with,the trouble is i am having difficulty trying to find my original posts and answers.
What chance is there anyway if anybody has any ideas i would certainly appreciate them, assuming i ever find my posts again
REGARDS FRED.

Does the motherboard have an on-board VGA (monitor) port?

If so remove the graphics card & use the board port.

Can you ID this motherboard? There should be a label or silk-screen of some sort.

Need to know the BIOS type to translate the beep code.

Also try with only the PSU; CPU; & 1 stick of RAM (nothing else).

Hi Jephree,
Many thanks for your continued support.
Answers to questions Yes i am using onboard vga port have also tried installing GOOD graphics card to no avail.
Compaq AM37 m/board.
PHEONIX BIOS, Pentium4,pheonix 2001, 007360327.

NOTE,I am sorry i misinformed you regarding problem the monitor does not come on at all,AT BOOT MONITOR IS ON BUT SWITCHES TO STANDBY AS COMPUTER BOOTS UP.
APOLOGIES FOR WRONG INFORMATION, REGARDS, FRED.