I don't really think this is the best place to ask but I figured a lot of you have some experience with computer building and could probably help me out. This story might end up being a little long so hold on. I did a lot of stupid things, I realize, because I'm not exactly the brightest person in both hardware-related stuff and in general. This was supposed to be a learning experience for me in the first place, as I figured that if I go into computer science I should at least know how to put together a computer, right? I should probably stick to software from now on though. But I digress. :K
A few weeks ago, I got
all of the parts to my computer (we got a different monitor but it was still an acer, which i realize is a stuffty brand apparently) and put it together. I didn't have too much of a hard time putting it together, but when I was done, it didn't start up. I was absolutely baffled as to why this happened as I carefully followed the manual and watched several tutorial videos, so after a few days of trying everything I could think of, I took it to a (really sketchy, I'll get to that) computer repair shop.
Apparently, I shorted the fan that came with the case by connecting it to both the motherboard and power supply, but no other damage was done thankfully. He also insisted on installing the OS and doing the BIOS files for me, which I figured I'd let him because it was free. The total ended up being $170 ($20 for the fan replacement, $150 for the diagnosis), and I'm pretty sure I was overcharged. I also learned that the guy is a child enthusiast and he gave me really weird vibes the whole time, so I
really don't want to go back there.
After coming home, I first tested the computer without the monitor, and the LEDs worked unlike last time, and I could hear it whirr when I turned it on. Then, after turning it off, I plugged in the VGA cable to the motherboard, and I first plugged in the DVI-D cable into the graphics card. Of course, my monitor was not getting signal as the title suggests. I tried plugging in the DVI-D cable in different places (the motherboard had a socket, and the graphics card had two sockets which I think is the norm), but none of them worked.
After searching online, most sites seemed to suggest trying another monitor, which is out of the question for me because I can't just buy another monitor and all of my other computers are Macs. I'm considering clearing my CMOS battery, but I'm not sure if that's the right approach. That would uninstall my OS, right? Which would also mean that I'd have to buy another copy of the OS? The idea is to spend the least amount of money possible because my mom is pretty mad at me for having to take it to a repair place, so finding another is the absolute last resort.
Off the top of my head, it seems that the problem involves either:
A: A stuffty monitor
B: A faulty DVI-D cable (possible, I had a hard time screwing the cable into the most of the DVI ports, but I think this is unlikely. One socket on the graphics card is for DVI-I, and the other is for DVI-D. I should be able to use both though with a DVI-D cable, right?)
C: The guy at the computer repair shop set up the computer's BIOS in a way that I'm not actually using it (Not sure if that makes sense or is possible, but I would presume this is the situation I'd need to restart the CMOS battery)
Either way I think I forgeted up pretty badly and now have to pay for it. If you need any pictures or more information, just ask. I'm not really sure what I'm going to get out of this but I just really need to resolve this for once.
