Dell Optiplex 7070 No Display Signal

Shane043 on 22/02/2025 - 16:17
Last edited 22/02/2025 - 17:19 by 1 other user

Hey guys, I bought a Dell micro computer last year that was featured on OzBargain.

I've only had it set up a month or two and now when I turn it on, the display goes into a hibernate style mode and sometimes says no signal.

I tried the monitor and 15 pin cable on another computer and it works fine.

Which means the problem is either on the DP to VGA converter cable (have ordered a new one). Or the PC itself.

Just wondering what else could be causing this and if anyone else has encountered it with this model. Google mentions that graphics cards failing can cause this type of thing too.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Computing Computer Dell Desktop Computer

Related Stores

Dell
Dell

Comments

  • MS Paint on 22/02/2025 - 16:22

    Google mentions that graphics cards failing can cause this type of thing too.

    Did you install a graphics card? If not it's just using onboard graphics.

    What sort of monitor are you using? Sounds very old school. Does the monitor ever stay on long enough to allow you to update the driver's on the PC or try a fresh install of the os?

    • Shane043 on 22/02/2025 - 17:02

      I should have added my PC knowledge is limited lol. The monitor is a Lenovo thinkvision. And yeah it is just the onboard graphics.

      My monitor just stays blank with the yellow standby light on.

      I tried another monitor too. Must have been that one that said no signal.

      But it's still going through the cheap dp to VGA converter cable. So I have one on order. To see if it's that cable or the actual PC is the problem.

      • bdl on 22/02/2025 - 17:04

        If it has multiple DP ports, did you try the other one/s?

        • Shane043 on 22/02/2025 - 17:11

          Yes. No change

  • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2025 - 16:26
    +2

    Like the cable, converting from DVI to VGA involves actual hardware in the cable and if you bought a cheap one it might not have lasted.

    Do you have a monitor with DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort instead? Then the cable is just a dumb one and should be a lot cheaper.

    • GordonD on 22/02/2025 - 17:16
      +1

      That would have been my suggestion.

      You've tried it with another screen. That's the right thing to do. So now you know its not the screen. That leaves the PC and the cable.

      If your screen has HDMI input, and PC's DP port is a "DP++" port (that'll be written next to it) a passive DP to HDMI cable is a better proposition than an active cable converting DP to VGA. Cheaper. More reliable. It'd be the first thing I'd try.

      Of course it is still possible its the DP port on the PC that's faulty. But the trick to diagnosing a problem is to try what's cheapest and easiest first, and get to the expensive solution, chucking the PC, last.

      • Shane043 on 22/02/2025 - 17:22

        The screen has the standard 15 pin port and a DP. No HDMI. The PC itself has the ++ symbols next to the DP ports. But the monitor doesn't. They look the same though

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2025 - 17:47
          +1

          The monitor doesn't need the "++", only the PC itself does as it relates to what it can output. The DP++ on the PC means you can send a signal to HDMI/DP/DVI monitors. Since your monitor has a DP port it doesn't matter though.

          I would go with a straight DP to DP cable and see if that works.

        • GordonD on 22/02/2025 - 17:48
          +1

          That's the simplest solution of all. If the PC has a DP port, and the screen has a DP port, just use a DP cable. No need to convert DP to anything else, whether it be VGA or HDMI.

          As freefall101 says, the ++ on the PC's DP port just means it can output either DP or HDMI signals depending on what it is plugged into at the other end of the cable.

        • GordonD on 22/02/2025 - 18:39
          +1

          Don't forget that if you change from using VGA to DP input on the monitor you may have to go into setup on the monitor to change it. Some auto-detect, others don't.

  • Shane043 on 25/02/2025 - 10:49

    Hey guys

    I just tried another VGA to DP cable I got off eBay. I haven't tried the straight DP cable yet but it's looking like the problem is in the PC.

    Where would be the likely locations?

    My PC knowledge is pretty limited and I'm thinking if it needs a shop it might be just as cost effective to buy another reconditioned one.

    • GordonD on 25/02/2025 - 10:56

      Yep, sorry, if you're using integrated video and the DP port is dead they'd most likely have to put a new motherboard in it, so it'd be cheaper to buy a new (refurbished) one.

      I wouldn't give up until I'd tried a DP-DP cable. Even if the DP port on the PC you've got is dead and you have to buy another one, you can do it right next time and connect the monitor using the DP-DP cable.

      DP ports are as reliable as any other part of a PC. If the DP port is dead the most likely thing that killed it was the ebay active DP to VGA converter cable.

      • Shane043 on 25/02/2025 - 16:28

        I actually just found the purchase in my bank records, it was 23rd of March 24 with ACT. So if the dp to dp cable doesn't work I might try the warranty route.. is there a simple way to get my data off or will I have to just pay a tech guy to do it?

        • GordonD on 25/02/2025 - 18:34
          +1

          Try to persuade them you've proved its broken, and they don't need the PC back, which will save shipping costs. Or if they do want it back persuade them they don't need the drive to prove the DP port is broken. Which they don't. That way you've still got the drive with all your stuff on it.

          Given you've still got the old drive, I'm a little unsure as to whether if you put it in the replacement PC Windows 11 will activate with the old key on the new hardware. I simply avoid activation issues with Windows 11 by running a version that doesn't require activation. It saves a lot of aggravation. If all else fails Microsoft has a way of activating it if you explain its a replacement after hardware failure.

          With a corporate PC like the Dell 7070 I would think the activation key is stored in the BIOS.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join