OT: In need of tech support

Ducimus · 08-08-07, 03:06 AM

Processor: AMD64 3500
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Nforce3 chipset
Video card: Saphire X1600Pro 512MB ram

Long story short, system works fine if i put in an older video card. currently typing this with radeon 9000 in the box, even stuck in an old TNT2 card, all work fine. But the instant i put in the video card ive been using, Not even so much as a POST. Monitor just stays in standby, hard drive whirls a bit, and nothing. No post, nada.

Now ordinarly id just assume the video card died, since how this whole issue started with the monitor suddenly recieving no signal while using the web browser, but the thing is, i remember having this issue before with a Radeon 9800 Pro. I have no idea how i got it to work, but i did, must have been plain dumb luck. That and ive never had a video card just suddenly NOT work. THey usually die a slow painful death with ghosts, horizontal lines and such, not a spontainious shutting down.

Its tempting to just give up and go plunk down 300 dollars for an Nvida card, but with my luck its not the card thats the problem.

So any known issues with the above listed hardware combination? Any ideas whats causing this? Ive tried setting the AGP port to X 4, X 8,. Setting the apature size to 64, and 128. Even reset the CMOS a couple times and disabeled all intergrated hardware and no dice.

I really didnt need this right now. If it wasnt for the fact that my system runs perfectly fine on any other video card, id be entertaining the idea of a fried Mobo, bios, ram or other hardware failure. I suppose i could always buy an Nvida card and bring it back if it doesnt work, but at that point im still back to where im at now.

edit: And no im not running Win Vista, i know about Nforce3 Mobo's and vista, this isnt that issue since im running XP

switch.dota · 08-08-07, 03:10 AM

Excuse the off-topic, but why on earth would you get an ATi graphics card on a mb with an nForce chipset?

gonzlor · 08-08-07, 03:27 AM

It doesen't matter!

Ducimus · 08-08-07, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switch.dota

Excuse the off-topic, but why on earth would you get an ATi graphics card on a mb with an nForce chipset?

I upgrade incrementally with whats available at the local PC stores. Its not like i go out and buy all my hardware at the exact same time. And it shouldnt matter anyway, ive had this graphics card working on this system for the last year without any problem. Then this problem decided to reoccur today, no idea why, or what it is. All i can think of is to buy a new graphics card and see if the problem persists, if it does, take the card back and keep on trying to figure out the problem.

Capt. Shark Bait · 08-08-07, 03:42 AM

based on the above alone, i'ld say i think it might be a dead card...possibly. there's being noncommittal for ya

do you have another mobo that you can put the questionable card in to test it?

switch.dota · 08-08-07, 03:51 AM

This just struck me: the issue could be related to either the video card overheating or some problem with the mobo. I've had similar issues with an ancient mb: at random times it would freeze my system and refuse to start (no POST, nothing). The warranty guys promptly replaced it and I've had no issues with it for about 3 years after that incident.

Capt. Shark Bait · 08-08-07, 03:54 AM

yeah, could possibly might be a heat issue maybe

SteveW1 · 08-08-07, 05:24 AM

Form what you have written other cards work and run fine, I'd say your card has more than likely decided to die. Best idea is what you wrote buy another card,plug it in and see if it works,if it doesnt take it back and get a refund and try a different option.

FooFighters · 08-08-07, 05:37 AM

My biggest bet would be that the graphic card died.. If it was a temperature problem, system would work even only for a few minutes..

Just like Steve says.. buy one, if it's not the problem try switching for another component.

If you do buy one, please let me know whick one and how the game runs with it..
(I am going to upgrade my card in 2 weeks)

danlisa · 08-08-07, 05:42 AM

The 1600 has been a buggy card since the get go. A quick search with Google will tell you that many many other people have exactly the same problem as you. The general consensus is that the cooler/fan is no longer working (does the card fan startup?) as you know, the card will stop your system from even starting to prevent damage to your cards chip.

If you want to stay with ATI, the X1950 Pro is really a good choice, again the cooling fan is the weak point but it should maintain 50-55 degrees loaded. If that worries you, you can get an artic cooling fan which replaces the stock fan (£15 here in the UK). Much better.

End of the day, you current card is fried.

AVGWarhawk · 08-08-07, 06:07 AM

Power supply is up to snuff for this card? They sometimes degrade over a period of time

Rockin Robbins · 08-08-07, 06:34 AM

Since you have a motherboard optimized for nVidea cards, I'd recommend that you slide one of those in there. Don't know if your mobo has SLI available, but I'm running 2 EVGA nVidea 7600GT's in SLI configuration and it's not bad at all. I can run 1152x864 85mhz with graphics settings WFO very nicely. I bought both cards for about $210 from NewEgg and saved a cool $150 from an 8000 series card, getting most of the performance. Edit: Well, scratch that suggestion! You have a single AGP slot motherboard. Of course you could scrap your motherboard, buy an Asus A8N32-SLI (also socket 939) for about $125, two 7600GT's for $200 or thereabouts and have less graphics power for the same money as just buying an 8000 series card. Sound good? Didn't think so... :hmm:

nForce3 boards and Vista? Problems? Talk to me about that one! I have a copy of Vista on the shelf (got the free upgrade with Windows Media Edition) and have no plans to install any time soon, but I'd like to know what would happen with my Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe board, which is also an nForce3. I don't see anything compelling in Vista anyway for now.

OT: ever use MoBo? It's pretty cool for plotting intercept courses. It might not be totally ready for prime-time yet but it'll rock your navigation world just the same! Anybody using it?

switch.dota · 08-08-07, 06:37 AM

For a video card, I'd recommend either an ATi X1950 Pro or a branded 7900GS (or better). The GS comes a bit cheaper and once overclocked is totally on par with the x1950pro.

SLi/Crossfire is a poor choice unless you want to hit really high resolutions like above 1600x1200. For the money it costs one to buy twin cards, the performance at normal resolutions is much better with a single higher tier card.

SteamWake · 08-08-07, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Power supply is up to snuff for this card? They sometimes degrade over a period of time

This is my guess as well espically since you mention no post.

That or the graphic card is a wreck and something is shorted.

orangenee · 08-08-07, 10:25 AM

@ The OP:

What PSU are you using? I just want to eliminate any possibility of it being that.

08-08-07, 03:06 AM	#1
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	OT: In need of tech support Processor: AMD64 3500 Mobo: Gigabyte GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Nforce3 chipset Video card: Saphire X1600Pro 512MB ram Long story short, system works fine if i put in an older video card. currently typing this with radeon 9000 in the box, even stuck in an old TNT2 card, all work fine. But the instant i put in the video card ive been using, Not even so much as a POST. Monitor just stays in standby, hard drive whirls a bit, and nothing. No post, nada. Now ordinarly id just assume the video card died, since how this whole issue started with the monitor suddenly recieving no signal while using the web browser, but the thing is, i remember having this issue before with a Radeon 9800 Pro. I have no idea how i got it to work, but i did, must have been plain dumb luck. That and ive never had a video card just suddenly NOT work. THey usually die a slow painful death with ghosts, horizontal lines and such, not a spontainious shutting down. Its tempting to just give up and go plunk down 300 dollars for an Nvida card, but with my luck its not the card thats the problem. So any known issues with the above listed hardware combination? Any ideas whats causing this? Ive tried setting the AGP port to X 4, X 8,. Setting the apature size to 64, and 128. Even reset the CMOS a couple times and disabeled all intergrated hardware and no dice. I really didnt need this right now. If it wasnt for the fact that my system runs perfectly fine on any other video card, id be entertaining the idea of a fried Mobo, bios, ram or other hardware failure. I suppose i could always buy an Nvida card and bring it back if it doesnt work, but at that point im still back to where im at now. edit: And no im not running Win Vista, i know about Nforce3 Mobo's and vista, this isnt that issue since im running XP

08-08-07, 03:42 AM	#5
Capt. Shark Bait Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: in a convergance zone Posts: 1,186 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	based on the above alone, i'ld say i think it might be a dead card...possibly. there's being noncommittal for ya do you have another mobo that you can put the questionable card in to test it? __________________ Leiser und tödlicher edler Ritter der Tiefe Corsair Vengeance M70; ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z; FX 8350; Asus 7870; Samsung SyncMaster 2243SWX; coolmax CUG950B 950w psu; 8GB Kingston HyperX DDR3; Corsair M4 SSD 128GB, WD 1TB; x18 DVR212D; 7SP1

08-08-07, 03:54 AM	#7
Capt. Shark Bait Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: in a convergance zone Posts: 1,186 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	yeah, could possibly might be a heat issue maybe __________________ Leiser und tödlicher edler Ritter der Tiefe Corsair Vengeance M70; ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z; FX 8350; Asus 7870; Samsung SyncMaster 2243SWX; coolmax CUG950B 950w psu; 8GB Kingston HyperX DDR3; Corsair M4 SSD 128GB, WD 1TB; x18 DVR212D; 7SP1

08-08-07, 05:24 AM	#8
SteveW1 Watch Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 331 Downloads: 75 Uploads: 0	Form what you have written other cards work and run fine, I'd say your card has more than likely decided to die. Best idea is what you wrote buy another card,plug it in and see if it works,if it doesnt take it back and get a refund and try a different option. __________________

08-08-07, 05:37 AM	#9
FooFighters Grey Wolf Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 813 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	My biggest bet would be that the graphic card died.. If it was a temperature problem, system would work even only for a few minutes.. Just like Steve says.. buy one, if it's not the problem try switching for another component. If you do buy one, please let me know whick one and how the game runs with it.. (I am going to upgrade my card in 2 weeks) __________________ This forum is not the same without you Dave.. we'll miss you buddy

08-08-07, 03:10 AM	#2
switch.dota Captain Join Date: May 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 492 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Excuse the off-topic, but why on earth would you get an ATi graphics card on a mb with an nForce chipset?

08-08-07, 03:27 AM	#3
gonzlor Bosun Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 69 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	It doesen't matter!

08-08-07, 03:51 AM	#6
switch.dota Captain Join Date: May 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 492 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	This just struck me: the issue could be related to either the video card overheating or some problem with the mobo. I've had similar issues with an ancient mb: at random times it would freeze my system and refuse to start (no POST, nothing). The warranty guys promptly replaced it and I've had no issues with it for about 3 years after that incident.

08-08-07, 05:42 AM	#10
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	The 1600 has been a buggy card since the get go. A quick search with Google will tell you that many many other people have exactly the same problem as you. The general consensus is that the cooler/fan is no longer working (does the card fan startup?) as you know, the card will stop your system from even starting to prevent damage to your cards chip. If you want to stay with ATI, the X1950 Pro is really a good choice, again the cooling fan is the weak point but it should maintain 50-55 degrees loaded. If that worries you, you can get an artic cooling fan which replaces the stock fan (£15 here in the UK). Much better. End of the day, you current card is fried. __________________

08-08-07, 06:07 AM	#11
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Power supply is up to snuff for this card? They sometimes degrade over a period of time __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

08-08-07, 06:34 AM	#12
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Suggestion Since you have a motherboard optimized for nVidea cards, I'd recommend that you slide one of those in there. Don't know if your mobo has SLI available, but I'm running 2 EVGA nVidea 7600GT's in SLI configuration and it's not bad at all. I can run 1152x864 85mhz with graphics settings WFO very nicely. I bought both cards for about $210 from NewEgg and saved a cool $150 from an 8000 series card, getting most of the performance. Edit: Well, scratch that suggestion! You have a single AGP slot motherboard. Of course you could scrap your motherboard, buy an Asus A8N32-SLI (also socket 939) for about $125, two 7600GT's for $200 or thereabouts and have less graphics power for the same money as just buying an 8000 series card. Sound good? Didn't think so... :hmm: nForce3 boards and Vista? Problems? Talk to me about that one! I have a copy of Vista on the shelf (got the free upgrade with Windows Media Edition) and have no plans to install any time soon, but I'd like to know what would happen with my Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe board, which is also an nForce3. I don't see anything compelling in Vista anyway for now. OT: ever use MoBo? It's pretty cool for plotting intercept courses. It might not be totally ready for prime-time yet but it'll rock your navigation world just the same! Anybody using it? __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

08-08-07, 06:37 AM	#13
switch.dota Captain Join Date: May 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 492 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	For a video card, I'd recommend either an ATi X1950 Pro or a branded 7900GS (or better). The GS comes a bit cheaper and once overclocked is totally on par with the x1950pro. SLi/Crossfire is a poor choice unless you want to hit really high resolutions like above 1600x1200. For the money it costs one to buy twin cards, the performance at normal resolutions is much better with a single higher tier card.

08-08-07, 10:25 AM	#15
orangenee Engineer Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 211 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	@ The OP: What PSU are you using? I just want to eliminate any possibility of it being that. __________________ Remember people, murder kills!!