zwolf4444
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Installed New Graphics Card, Now Computer Won't Boot
I just bought several components to upgrade my computer. I had the case, motherboard, and DVD-RW drive from an Acer E700, and I purchased a 500 W Thermaltake power supply, 2 GB of Crucial Ballistix Tracers RAM, a Core 2 Duo E4600, an XFX 8800 GT Alpha Dog, and an 80 GB hard drive. All of the components seem to work except for the graphics card (meaning that when the graphics card is not inserted, the computer boots and works fine). Since the motherboard has an integrated graphics card as well, if the card is inserted, it still defaults to the itegrated graphics and doesn't output video through the XFX, even though the fan spins up and everything. Windows doesn't detect that the XFX has been inserted either. When I set the BIOS to force it to use the XFX, I get a continuous POST code which seems to consist of random, continuous, short beeps to my untrained ear, and it won't start. I've tried two different PSUs, to no avail. I've tried moving the RAM to different slots, reseating the graphics card, cycling the PSU, and clearing the CMOS (which I have to do anyway if I want to use the computer again, because that's the only way to get it to switch back to using the integrated graphics). None have worked. I plugged in the 6 pin connector to the card and everything. Is the card definately busted? Is there anything else I can do?
Also make sure that you disable your on board video in the CMOS.
You may have to change the graphics from on board to PCI-E
You may have to change the graphics from on board to PCI-E
ASKER
The card does have an extra power connector (a 6 pin PCI-E connector) which I did connect, and it still beeps and doesn't boot.
Disabling the on board video is what causes it to do the beeping and not booting. If I don't disable the on board video, it just uses the onboard and pretends the XFX doesn't exist.
Disabling the on board video is what causes it to do the beeping and not booting. If I don't disable the on board video, it just uses the onboard and pretends the XFX doesn't exist.
Is the PSU, strong-enough to drive the card?
Do you have another video card you could try to rule out the mobo, or the BiOS config?
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Do you have another video card you could try to rule out the mobo, or the BiOS config?
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ASKER
PSU is 500 watts, which is XFXs recommended rating. I don't have another PCI-E card to test, unfourtunately. The onboard video works fine, but that doesn't rule out the PCI-E slot as the culprit. That does seem unlikely though.
r.e. "... Does the card have any extra power connectors that may be required for it's use." ==> From the question: "... I plugged in the 6 pin connector to the card and everything." :-)
r.e. "... You may have to change the graphics from on board to PCI-E." ==> From the question: "... When I set the BIOS to force it to use the XFX."
Be sure you're properly seated the graphics card (that's a large card and can "look" like it's fully seated when it's not) ... and that you have indeed done as you noted and changed the BIOS to use the add-in card video slot.
Otherwise, assuming both power supplies you tried had sufficient power for that 8800GT (the 500w is plenty -- was the other PSU equally large?), then your problem is either a defective PCIe slot on the motherboard; or a defective video card. The simplest way to isolate it to which of those is the problem is to try a different PCIe x16 video card.
Since there's no discernable pattern to the beeps, this may not be useful, but the best reference to BIOS beep codes (see the right column) is here: http://www.bioscentral.com/
r.e. "... You may have to change the graphics from on board to PCI-E." ==> From the question: "... When I set the BIOS to force it to use the XFX."
Be sure you're properly seated the graphics card (that's a large card and can "look" like it's fully seated when it's not) ... and that you have indeed done as you noted and changed the BIOS to use the add-in card video slot.
Otherwise, assuming both power supplies you tried had sufficient power for that 8800GT (the 500w is plenty -- was the other PSU equally large?), then your problem is either a defective PCIe slot on the motherboard; or a defective video card. The simplest way to isolate it to which of those is the problem is to try a different PCIe x16 video card.
Since there's no discernable pattern to the beeps, this may not be useful, but the best reference to BIOS beep codes (see the right column) is here: http://www.bioscentral.com/
ASKER
As far as I can tell, its fully seated. I can't it to fit more snugly, at the very least.
Also, as best I can hear, the POST code is 2 short beeps repeated indefinately, which doesn't help much.
Also, as best I can hear, the POST code is 2 short beeps repeated indefinately, which doesn't help much.
"... Is there anything else I can do? " ==> Without an extra video card to try, you simply have to "guess" whether the issue is the video card or the motherboard's PCIe slot. Since this isn't a new PC, it may very well be a motherboard issue ... but there's no easy way to confirm that with what you have available. If you have access to another PC with a PCIe x16 slot, you could try the video card in that -- if you KNEW the video card was good, that would also point to the motherboard.
What BIOS do you have? (Phoenix, Award, AMI, etc.)
ASKER
Phoenix
The Phoenix beep codes aren't any help with what you're hearing. I'd either swap the video card; or arrange to borrow another video card to try first.
ASKER
Will try and report back.
ASKER
So I got a spare 8400 GS from a friend, and that worked perfectly, so the PCI-E slot is fine. However, the guy I bought my graphics card from said that the had been using the card for a month with no problems. Is there any possibility that my motherboard is somehow incompatible with an 8800 GT, but compatible with an 8400 GS?
It is possible. I wouldn't rule out anything when it comes to t/s computers. Do you have the latest BiOS for your mobo? You may have already indicated that...
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"... Is there any possibility that my motherboard is somehow incompatible with an 8800 GT, but compatible with an 8400 GS? " ==> Although I agree it's best to never say never ... the answer here is generally NO !! Either the PCIe slot works; or it doesn't.
Assuming you haven't made a simple oversight (i.e. not connecting the additional power connector for the 8800GT -- which you indicated you HAVE done), and that the card was properly seated; then either the card is defective, or you have an issue with your power supply -- inadequate 12v capacity or a defective PCIe power connector (if there's more than one, try the other one -- if not, if you have a molex-PCIe adapter, try it). Most likely the 8800GT is simply not working.
Assuming you haven't made a simple oversight (i.e. not connecting the additional power connector for the 8800GT -- which you indicated you HAVE done), and that the card was properly seated; then either the card is defective, or you have an issue with your power supply -- inadequate 12v capacity or a defective PCIe power connector (if there's more than one, try the other one -- if not, if you have a molex-PCIe adapter, try it). Most likely the 8800GT is simply not working.
ASKER
I do have the latest bios. And I tried two different PSUs, and even within one PSU I tried both the PCIe connector and a Y connector with the regular power connectors. Is it possible that not enough power is coming in from the wall, or my surge protector? Or is that unlikely?
Also, I've been reading that 8800 GTs sometimes have problems working with PCI-E 1.0a/1.0 motherboards. Could that possibly be it? If so, does anyone know if there's a bios flashing solution for either the card or the motherboard?
Also, I've been reading that 8800 GTs sometimes have problems working with PCI-E 1.0a/1.0 motherboards. Could that possibly be it? If so, does anyone know if there's a bios flashing solution for either the card or the motherboard?
I think you've eliminated the PSU as an issue by trying two different PSU's ... and likewise the PCIe connector by trying both that connector and a Y-adapter from molex connections.
I think it's safe to say you simply have a defective 8800GT. PCIe 2.0 graphics cards do NOT require PCIe v2 motherboards ... they simply run at v1 speeds on the earlier slots.
I think it's safe to say you simply have a defective 8800GT. PCIe 2.0 graphics cards do NOT require PCIe v2 motherboards ... they simply run at v1 speeds on the earlier slots.
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ASKER
What about the issue noted here?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeForce_8_Series#8800_GT
And here: http://support.asus.com/faq/faq.aspx?no=DE05A01F-3A3B-A859-177B-6A668A2D6982&SLanguage=en-us
Another customer at newegg seemed to have the same problem: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252&SortField=3&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&SelectedRating=-1&PurchaseMark=&VideoOnlyMark=False&Page=
(read the second review).
And here: http://support.asus.com/faq/faq.aspx?no=DE05A01F-3A3B-A859-177B-6A668A2D6982&SLanguage=en-us
Another customer at newegg seemed to have the same problem: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252&SortField=3&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&SelectedRating=-1&PurchaseMark=&VideoOnlyMark=False&Page=
(read the second review).
It IS possible that it's a slot issue --> as I noted earlier, it's best to "never say never" in the world of computers. PCIe v2 cards are supposed to be fully compliant with PCIe v1.1 slots ... but if your motherboard in fact has a v1.0 slot, and particularly if it has a Via chipset, then this COULD be the issue. The articles above reinforce the issue with Via chipsets.
HOWEVER ... the motherboard for an Acer E700 apparently has an Intel G965 Express chipset [http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/acer-aspire-e700-core/4507-3118_7-32498216.html?tag=specs ], which I would not expect to have this problem.
The best way to test the 8800GT is to simply install it in another system that you KNOW has a PCIe v2.0 slot.
HOWEVER ... the motherboard for an Acer E700 apparently has an Intel G965 Express chipset [http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/acer-aspire-e700-core/4507-3118_7-32498216.html?tag=specs ], which I would not expect to have this problem.
The best way to test the 8800GT is to simply install it in another system that you KNOW has a PCIe v2.0 slot.
ASKER
But the G965 chipset is a PCI-E 1.0a chipset (http://www.pcisig.com/developers/compliance_program/integrators_list/pcie/ ). Is the PCI-E 2.0 problem only on via boards with 1.0a, or all boards with 1.0a?
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ASKER
I've actually bought another 8800 GT in anticipation of returning this one. Hopefully that will work. I'll post when I have results from trying to install that.
Good luck!!!
ASKER
Pretty sure you guys were right, and something was wrong with the card, because I bought a different 8800 GT, and it worked.
Does the card have any extra power connectors that may be required for it's use.
BiOS beep codes: http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml
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