hi i bought a pc from ebay

compaq

2.0ghz with 40gb hdd

and it worked but then i bought a 1gb ram and 160gb hdd to upgrade it so i put the fresh hdd in and connected it and the new ram stick but when i turn it on it started but the monitor picks up nothing and then i fiddled with the ram stick and now it powers then goes off then starts again but with no signal to the monitor in either the graphics card or the on board video card


please help

Welcome to PCHF.

1. Is the one gig ram stick the only ram in the computer or did you try to use it with another ram stick?

2. Did you replace the old HDD with the new one or do you have two HDDs in the computer now?

3. What model of Compaq do you have?

hi gandalf thanks for the reply

1 there is only 1gb ram stick on its own
2 i replaced the old hdd no o/s on the new harddrive
3 i am not enitrely sure i just know its a hp compaq evo tower with intel

OK.
1. Do you have the Windows Installation CD?
If so, which version of Windows CD do you have?

2. Here is a list of command keys for various computers...How to access/enter Motherboard BIOS
I suggest you try the F10 key.
Reboot the computer. When the company name, Compaq, displays on the screen, a cursor should appear in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
Press F10, and instead of booting normally, you should see the setup screen for the Compaq's BIOS. If F10 doesn't work, try one of the other keys shown in the provided link.

Once in the BIOS, check to insure that the CD drive is the first bootable drive.

i dont receive any picture on the monitor just a blank black screen

You say you are experienced. Do you know enough to open the Tower and check to verify that all the cables are connected to where they are intended to go? If so, verify that all of the cables are secure. Recommend you unplug the computer from the AC source before opening the Tower.

Also, which version of Windows CD do you have?