G4 MDD starts up and chimes but there's no picture on the monitor

Any ideas on whether or not this might be an easy problem to fix. I can buy a 1.25/256/combo drive for $59 and was wondering if I should bother. Any info would be great. Thanks.

for $59 you cannot go wrong

Problems could be:
No operating system
No hard disk or connector has come out
No RAM installed
Video Card defective
Lithium Battery has gone dead

great, I think i will give it a go

Video card expensive?
Here is what the seller said regarding the video board:

"I know it's not the video board as I swapped it with the one in the G4 that I left and both boards worked great in that one but neither board works in this one."

probably not the video card then

If he has done anything with the Ram - then that's the most likely culprit

I think I have some ram. Hopefully that is all it is. I will keep you posted. Thanks for all the help.

Double check that graphics card. It should be an ATI Radeon 9000 with 64MB SDRAM which was standard in the MDD. Some flashed cards, such as the nVida GeForce 6200 with 256MB SDRAM will work with earlier G4 but NOT with MDD.

Next do a Google for MDD startup problems. Often this model require a replacement internal battery if they have been standing, or a boot with internal battery not installed.

Make sure any RAM is fully compliant with the machine specs. A lot of memory sold on auction sites is PC only.

Good luck and keep us advised.

couldn't find any particular articles regarding my problem. I will keep you posted.

Remove all RAM, insert one stick and try reboot.

Have a look at this link:-

http://forums.dealmac.com/read.php?4,2665037,2667894

I am picking it up this afternoon, I will let you know what happens after I try your suggestions.