Troubleshooting an X51. Powers on, no image

Unfortunately, I get no image at all. No startup image, no BIOS, nothing. I've tried connecting the monitor to both the video card and the onboard HDMI

Hi ‌,

First check if the integrated card is enable in the BIOS. 

1. Enter the BIOS (F12)
2. Go to the Advance tab
3. Integrated devices 
4. Primary Display > Select IGFX (F10 to save and exit).

Then connect the monitor to the onboard card (HDMI located at the top half) and let me know!

Take the video card out and try with just the onboard card.

I've tried this and get the same results. I wish I had another video card to test.

With the Videocard removed and the onboard card the only available, I'd assume something would show up but it doesn't. This means one of three things.

1. the Onboard is disabled in the BIOS

2. The motherboard is bad

3. This is another issue elsewhere causing this issue.

A reminder that all of the video cables and the monitor I'm using are all in working condition.

1. as far as i know, the GPU settings in the BIOS are just preferences. but it even doesn't matter since you already cleared CMOS. right?
2. very likely. it could be CPU aswell. do you know if your friend overclocked the CPU?
3. do you have another Power Supply at home? i could tell you a story, but let's make it short.

Thank you for the quick response.

I highly doubt he overclocked the CPU. He's an older gentleman who liked playing SIMS and other low performance games.

You are correct, I did clear the CMOS, so that should have cleared the BIOS settings, I didn't think about that.

I unfortunately have no spare parts for this machine. I did suspect the power supply could be the issue, but it's very unique and not interchangeable. I wish I could get my hands on another to test without having to purchase one. An inadequate power output could definitely explain these issues. I guess I could hook a multimeter to the output and see if it matches the power brick's rating.

If you have a story to tell, I'm all ears!

woops. didn't notice your reply somehow.

is it an ATX / SFX PSU or external one like for the laptops?

few months ago my HTPC had a similar issue. i push the power on button, the PC boots up, all fans start to spin, no video output, no boot beep.  clear CMOS and Power Drain didn't help. i found a temporarily solution. i opened the case and disconnected all the cables, Power, SATA, USB, Fans, Front Panel and removed RAM. after a half hour, i put everything back together and my HTPC booted up. worked fine for 3 to 5 days and then it happened again. after third time i bought a new PSU and the problem was gone. two months later with the new PSU no problem sofar.

Intriguing. It's an external PSU, specifically the humongous XM3C3.

Output is listed as 19.5V and 16.9A

I guess I'll take it to the test bed and hook up a multimeter

that makes it harder to replace it. it could be the connector itself.

it better not be the PSU. 360 Euro on ebay! pretty crazy price.

Yeah. test it with the multimeter.

good luck.