No signal on vdu

[trish1234567]

My husband's 18 month old HP pavilion XP pc completely crashed when I connected the usb to an mp3 player. First the display on the screen became small and then disappeared completely.

The computer power switches on OK. The monitor switches on OK. However, the vdu then registers "no signal". I cannot reboot in any way. Is this a new motherboard job? Any help please.

[qapmoc]

Was it a battery powered MP3 player or was it connected to a seperate power supply plugged in a socket, if so it probably has short circuited the USB in some way and may have damaged the mobo,

[trish1234567]

Thank you very much for the info qapmoc. Yes, it was a battery powered mp3 player and not a very good one at that. It belonged to one of the children. However, it didn't damage my own computer which is a notorious Me.

You have given me a start though and I will now search this site for 'mobo'. I absolutely hate being beaten by a computer although I don't know this particular xp pc as well as my own! Many thanks.

[trish1234567]

Qapmoc - just realized how stupid I am!

mobo is of course 'motherboard' - not too familiar with technical jargon.

[headrush]

I would try swapping the monitors to see if it definitely is not the monitor.

Have to agree with qapmoc though. Probably is motherboard.

On a related note, my dad's PC was hit by a spike and he (not him but his PC) had the same symptoms. Funny thing was - it was the modem that stopped it from working properly. Not very interesting, I know.

[qapmoc]

Sorry trish, its easy to get in the habit with abreviations.

[trish1234567]

Thanks everybody - all answers are interesting Headrush. However, this second computer is not presently connected to the internet. Trust you sorted your Dad's computer out for him.

Qapmoc - know you're quite up on the tech side, I've learned most I know by my own mistakes. So (a) could it be that the memory has gone? (b) Is it a professional job to fit a new mobo? (c) To repair will cost nigh on �200 (quoted by HP), would it be better policy to buy a new cpu which will have a year's guarantee with it?

I've got a notorious Me which seldom gives me trouble and I much prefer it to the Xp. Hope you don't mind my picking your brains!

Thanks to everyone.