Need some help with video card?

Saints1990 · 11-18-2011, 11:22 AM

About 7 months ago, I purchased a better video card for my PC. I had bought it because the game I purchased was seriously lagging during gameplay (Sniper: Ghost Warrior).

So I went out & bought it, and called my dad up to come install it (he's real good with PC's/builds his own). So all was good for about 2 months, and then suddenly I powered up my PC & apparently the card stopped working. So I plugged my monitor back into the stock video card.

Does anyone know what could have happened? Could it be defective? I'm not sure. I don't want to spend another $120, though. Thanks.

geauxboy · 11-18-2011, 11:42 AM

Power supply not good enough for the card?

Expatriate · 11-18-2011, 11:55 AM

The good news is that that same card can be had for 15$ or so now. The bad news is that it would be impossible to diagnose the issue with the current information.

You need to try the card in another system and/or try another card in your MB. That would tell you if the problem is actually with that card. We don't even know for certain that the card is bad as you could have changed the resolution to an unsupported one or the driver could be corrupt. Does it get past post? Do you have video at all or does it make it till windows starts to load and then goes black?

ktulu909 · 11-18-2011, 12:36 PM

Did you tip your dad when he installed the card?

Saints1990 · 11-18-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expatriate

The good news is that that same card can be had for 15$ or so now. The bad news is that it would be impossible to diagnose the issue with the current information.

You need to try the card in another system and/or try another card in your MB. That would tell you if the problem is actually with that card. We don't even know for certain that the card is bad as you could have changed the resolution to an unsupported one or the driver could be corrupt. Does it get past post? Do you have video at all or does it make it till windows starts to load and then goes black?

Windows doesn't even load. The "Acer" logo comes up on a black screen, and then the monitor just goes into standby mode.

Saints1990 · 11-18-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktulu909

Did you tip your dad when he installed the card?

Not a chance. Stiffed him straight-up.

Expatriate · 11-18-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saints1990

Windows doesn't even load. The "Acer" logo comes up on a black screen, and then the monitor just goes into standby mode.

That suggests that it's either the video card or a motheboard issue. If you can put the card in another system and it boots, then I'd suspect the MB. If you have another card and can get it to work in your MB, I'd say it's the card. Of course, that is a very simplistic most likely scenario. Could be a few other things, but not as likely.

One trick to try is to take a pencil eraser to the pins on the video card. Just rub over the gold pins on both sides to remove any tarnish or dirt that could be causing a bad connection. Tip: Don't do it over the MB or you risk a mess with dirty rubber in your expansion slots.

ktulu909 · 11-18-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saints1990

Not a chance. Stiffed him straight-up.

Well,thats your problem,he may have spit in your computer LMAO.

Seriously though,Either the VC may be bad or the motherboard may be bad.I would pop in a known good video card into the same slot and see if it boots.If it does,you need a new card.

buzd · 11-18-2011, 04:37 PM

I've had video cards go bad because one of the wires of the power connector rested on something hot and burned through.