8600GT

[Fayttt]

So I got a new video card for Christmas; Nvidia/EVGA's e-GeForce 8600GT PCI-Express 256MB. I went to put it in the PC and it fit fine, computer started up fine (Could tell from the sound), but the monitor got no signal at all. Had disabled my integrated video card, uninstalled the drivers from that, reinstalled the drivers that came with the new card, took out the card, disabled the drivers, installed the new card, still nothing. I've tried almost everything. Anyone know what's wrong?

My Specs:
lolEmachines (I'll upgrade one of these days) T3304 / Windows XP SP2
AMD Sempron 3300+ Processor
Phoenix-Award BIOS (Funny, because I was reading that sometimes you have to disable the video via the BIOS and if its not there then you have to update it...but Phoenix and Award are two completely seperate BIOS producers now...)
Current/Integrated Card: Nvidia Geforce 6100
RAM: 1GB

I was considering the power might be a problem, the card needs 350 Watts, but I'm pretty sure since it's a prebuilt motherboard, if it had PCI-Express support (which it does) then it would have enough power to take it. But maybe that's the problem. I don't know anymore, i've tried almost everything.

Anyone able to help? =/ Thanks in advance.

[Cephius]

Dumb question: Did you plug in the connector from the power supply to the video card? Usually a 6-pin. Does the fan on the card spin up and run when you turn on the system?

[Fayttt]

Well, before I got the GT I had a 8600GTS that came with the power supply to do that; I thought it was the GTS so I returned it and got a GT. This one doesn't have a power supply on it, but it does have a fan, and it does run when the system's turned on.

[Cephius]

EDIT: nevermind, I linked a pic to the 512MB model, the 256 doesn't need additional power. I don't know what your problem is, have you tried a different PCI slot?

[Fayttt]

I've only got one PCI-Express slot ... First time it's been used since I've been using the onboard one, too.

[Cephius]

are you using the converters to use a VGA (blue) cable or are you using the DVI (white) cable to connect to the monitor? Use the white ones if possible, they auto-adjust better so it may assist you in getting an initial signal so you can install the new drivers. Also, can you boot into safe mode?

[Fayttt]

I have to use the converters because my monitor is a CRT so it doesn't work without it :/. My dad actually has a $350 LCD monitor, and I tried it on his monitor and it didn't fit either. So I have to use the converters.

[Cephius]

yeah wow, I really don't know what to tell you. I've dealt with eVGA's customer support before, they're very helpful so you might try giving them a call. Maybe you got a DoA card :/

[Fayttt]

yeah i called them earlier and they told me to call Emachines :/ i dunno, I guess i'll call them again at some point.

[altwight]

DID YOU set the bios to boot from pci-e and not onboard?

[Fayttt]

no, thats another issue; there is no option to do that in the bios, so I was disabling the graphics adapters via device manager. which was odd, because when the computer came back on it had full 32-bit color and I was pretty sure it was supposed to drop to 4 or 8 bit color. the resolution went down to 640x480 which was normal i believe.

[Fayttt]

Well I did a little bit of research today and I guess my computer doesn't have an adequate power supply .. I'm curious though since I haven't really put any hardware pieces on to a CPU other than ram, video card, etc... Is it safe to use a Power Supply that isn't from the same manufacturer as the PC? And also, how hard is it to put in a power supply? .. Should I just pay someone at staples or something to put it in for me to eliminate the risk?

[Cephius]

It's safe to use any power supply as long as it gives enough juice. You should probably go with a 500w power supply. They're not terribly difficult to install, you just have to disconnect the old one and put the new one in. Take note of what is attached to where. Typically you'll have a 20+4 long rectangular connector that plugs into the mobo and provides main power, then you have smaller cables that connect to the hard drives and video card. Honestly the power supply is one of the easier things to install, just be careful to make sure its secure in the case and that any extra cables are tucked safely away.

[Fayttt]

Alright, also, my 8600GT says it requires '22 amps on the +12volt rail'. I have no idea what that means ... would http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Antec-Ba ... tDetail.do
work with it? It says it has dual 12v outputs, but I still don't know what that means =/.

[Shuemue]

spend the extra $5 and get this maybe: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Antec-Ba ... tDetail.do

[Don Katsu]

If you plan to upgrade later you're not going to need more than 350w for PSU for now.. the most important thing is the amps on the 12V rail it should be at least 22a

[Fayttt]

How do I tell what the amps in the 12v rail is though? I don't see it on any of the PSU specs :/

[Shuemue]

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=23500

So no, that PSU sucks actually, even the 500W version I linked doesn't have the spec you need.

[Fayttt]

Well I got the 350W PSU i linked a couple posts above anyways ... I hear the fan going on the card so I assume all is well...but now my monitor goes asleep as soon as the CPU starts up halp?