[RWebb]

I can't get a screen image from a computer I bought a few weeks ago...

I thought the intermittent problem was the very cheap HDMI cable I bought from Amazon to replace the too short cable I was using (and that one seemed to work fine), but...

when I put the short cable on I can't get anything on the screen (except from the monitor itself - e.g. "monitor going to sleep")

I also have the problem of trying to figure out is the computer is on or in what status - e.g. Windows makes a tone when it boots up, or does it also make the same tone when it shuts down?

I can run a VGA cable from the laptop to the screen but do not have extra screens or extra HDMI or DVI computers to try.

Asus computer, 2 HDMI cables, hp LCD screen that is about 1.5 years old

(the sh^&*t never stops with my computer problems)

- any ideas on how I can troubleshoot things? I'd prefer to not have to return the Asus to the local store as I spent a lot of time setting it up, including putting an old HDD drive from my last computer (which died) into the Asus.