Please Check Signal

I have a Compaq Presario 7478 (Windows 98) that is giving me problems. When I turn it on, the desktop seems to be making all the right noises, but the monitor reads, "Please Check Signal." I initially thought the problem was the monitor but when tested, it works with my laptop and another desktop. So, I am back to wondering what it wrong with the computer. (Even since I purchased it, the PC has given me troubel with display settings (often increasign the size of desktop imagines 200% and not allowing me to re-set them. I haven't done anything unusual (i.e.. I have never opened the back of the desktop, never installed mreo memory, no video card repalcements, etc.) Please help!!

 

is the video card connected into the agp or pci socket properly? can you try another monitor and see if that works?
you mention that you had display problems so maybe its the driver giving you some hassle, if you could supply more information like does the computer boot up properly etc...

 

If you're collecting guesses on what the problem is, put me down for a hardware problem, i.e., in the cable or connector between the card and the monitor, a defect in the video card, or the monitor -- in that order of probability.