Why would I get no video output on a board with integrated graphics? ...

Hello -- A friend asked me to investigate her Dimension 2400 after a known piece of malware infected it.
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I did the following, after backing up her data: ... (a) Updated the firmware for the two optical drives. (*see note) . . . (b) Used Western Digital diagnostics to reformat and test her WD800BB hard drive - all was good -- "long" test. . . . (c) The hard drive right now is in freshly formatted FAT32, no OS installed. . . .(d) The board already have latest BIOS previously.
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*note: Before wiping her hard drive clean, I found that I could not update the firmware on one of the optical drives using the Win-based flash utility provided at Dell downloads. It gave me errors and freezes. So I removed that optical drive and put it into a second machine where I was able to successfully flash the firmware. I mention this because it *might* be relevant.
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So now I've got it all back together, and I can't get video. It has integrated 845G video chip. There is a speaker on this board and it signals no errors. Everything fires up the way that it should, but no video.
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I get no keyboard errors, but the keyboard does not seem to be talking to the motherboard as Num Lock doesn't light up, does not respond to F2, nor to Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

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I have cleared CMOS with jumper on more than once. I've removed 3V battery more than once also. Any suggestions with the Dim 2400 much appreciated. Thanks!!

...///((( edit )))/// ... I just fired up this machine with no RAM, and it have no beeps of errors. Either I am wrong about the presence of a motherboard speaker, or ... I dunno!! Thanks

First of all why would you think the Optical drive firmware needed to be updated? There is usually NO reason for that.
Do you get video during the POST screens? If not, it is NOT a Windows issue.
With NO RAM you won't get much of anything.
If no video on POST screens try clearing the CMOS by using the jumper on the MBoard marked clr CMOS with to power disconnected. After clearing the CMOS you will need to immediately upon next startup enter the BIOS scrrens and set values there as needed.
If NO vidoe on POST verify that you have the monitor connected to the Integrated video port and that the monitor is posered and on.

And if you don't get the initial single POST beep the motherboard is not working.

It never ceases to amaze me how people handle an infection.

I agree with OtheHill about the firmware upgrade for the optical drives...why did you feel that was necessary? And why did you feel it was necessary to format the HDD instead of just wiping out the infection?

The infection isn't what caused the problems you're having now...it would have to be something you did while messing around inside the case. Which pieces of hardware did you remove other than the optical drive?

jam (as usual) and OtheHill --
You guys might want to try knowing what you are talking about before such hostile responses. I've needed to do firmware upgrades on optical drives for a number of reasons. If you don't know those reasons, then you are reflecting your lack of experience and shooting off at the keyboard. I've done optical upgrades to get particular models of optical drives to work with specific programs, particularly burning programs. I've also done them when removing OEM drives and placing them into boards that are not OEM. If you two have never done this or were not aware of these needs, then you are simply reflecting your lack of experience.

Beyond that, you might try reading more carefully.

OtheHill .. uh yeah, it's not a Windows issue, because the drive is currently unformatted. :-) The rest of your response talks about things I describe having done already in my post! Read it!

I *can* understand both of your *misinterpretations* that both optical firmware and hard drive formatting had nothing to do with the infection. These were actions taken simply because I was starting over with their machine. I apologize for not making that completely clear.

But really, gentlemen(?) ... a stretch ... don't haunt these forums if you can't get beyond the basic responses you gave, and can't be non-hostile about it. I can get those kinds of responses from any 13-year old.

Ooh, a live one.

You say it 'fires up the way it should' indicating you think it's booting but nothing comes up on the screen. Drive leds will usually light up and you'll hear some drive noise as part of their power up procedure, independent of whether the system is working. Now if you're getting something more than that then perhaps it is booting. If that's the case temporarily add a video card and see if that makes a difference.

I doubt it though as I don't think you're getting normal beeps and the bios doesn't seem to be querying the KB.

Just the usual recommendations--remove all the cards and disconnect all the drives and see if it'll post. Maybe an errant loose screw causing a short? Retrace your steps when you were inside the case and see if you can come up with a possibility.

Problem fixed by replacing the socket 478 CPU. Thanks to those who were helpful by being cognizant.

1st time I heard of a malware infection taking out a CPU. I guess I'm gonna have to be more cognizant of that possibility from now on.