Computer won't start when graphics card inserted into PCI-E slot

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reductant

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
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I had been using an Nvidia 8800GT 512 mb card for about 2 years until the other day. The computer did not recover from Sleep mode. Whenever I unplugged the graphics card and used the onboard video, I was able to boot the computer. However, when I reinserted the card, the computer would no longer boot (no motherboard flash or BIOS on the screen even with onboard video enabled). Furthermore, the processor and system fans would continue spinning at full speed nonstop.

I inserted a brand new graphics card (ATI Radeon HD5770) and am getting the same problem. Whenever the card is inserted, nothing displays on the screen and the fans continue to blow at full speed (just like when the computer boots after a full power cycle).

I am confused as to whether this is a PSU or motherboard problem. I removed the battery from the motherboard and reinserted it, resetting the board, and the problem persists.

Specs:
Asus A8AE-LE mATX board (OEM board from HP)
500w PSU (Turbolink)
AMD Athlon x2 64-bit (2 GHz)
3 GB DDR RAM (PC3200)

Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
How old is your PSU?

Do you have any other video cards? If they don't power up I say your diagnosis of mobo or PSU is probably correct.
 
Hi, thanks for the reply. The PSU is also 2 years old. Is it possible for only the PCI-E slot to fail on a motherboard or only the graphics card connector to fail on the PSU? I don't have any other problems on the computer.
 
reductant said:
Hi, thanks for the reply. The PSU is also 2 years old. Is it possible for only the PCI-E slot to fail on a motherboard or only the graphics card connector to fail on the PSU? I don't have any other problems on the computer.
Click to expand...

Yes it is.
 
the way you described the fans spinning with the 8800 plugged in instantly made me think the video card crapped out. do you have another computer to plug it into to confirm? my second thought would also be the PSU.

Is it possible for only the PCI-E slot to fail on a motherboard or only the graphics card connector to fail on the PSU?
Click to expand...
technically yes, but not at all the most likely thing to happen. i would look into my above suggestions before that.
 
This exact same thing happened to me.

The problem for me was that the PCI-E slot had failed. I now use that PC as a media PC for the home entertainment system on onboard video only. If it was a PSU issue, an extremely low powerconsumption card that didn't even require a PCI-E power connector would have worked but even that didn't. I tried a new PSU also.
 
def sounds like pci-e slot. either try hooking up a new psu or use low end gfx card as spare flair suggested. if you dont have another psu you may be able to get away with unplugging all accessories including hdd and odd...all you really need to boot is ur 24pin 8pin and power to ur gfx
 
Shouldnt matter since you cleared the CMOS, but is there an option in the bios to do first display PEG1/PCIe/etc?
 
RMA the mobo if you can.

If you plan to throw the mobo away, bake it in the oven at 350 for around 7 minutes and try it (after removing EVERYTHING from it).
 
Ditch the PSU no matter what the issue is. Turbolink makes some of the world's shittiest PSUs out there. You'd be lucky if it only killed the video card. This would be a good replacement:
$50 - Corsair 400CX 400W PSU
 
I swapped cards, swapped PSUs, etc. The problem for me was the motherboard. For your case, you would have to do some swap testing as well.
 
OmegaAvenger said:
Like Raidmax?...
Click to expand...
No, like Bestec. The only issue with previous Bestec PSUs was the +5VSB defect, but that was dealt with a long time ago. Their current PSUs are solid, if unspectacular.

By the way, there actually are a few good ATNG-based Raidmax PSUs.
 
I bought a new PSU (OSZ 700w) and it still wouldn't power on. I've now tried a brand new PSU & graphics card, so I'm assuming it's the board. Btw, PNY (the brand of my nvidia 8800gt) replaced my card even though I'm pretty sure it wasn't broken. Good company. I've gone ahead and started the process of building a new PC (an ATX this time).
 
Danny Bui said:
Ditch the PSU no matter what the issue is. Turbolink makes some of the world's shittiest PSUs out there. You'd be lucky if it only killed the video card. This would be a good replacement:
$50 - Corsair 400CX 400W PSU
Click to expand...

Haha, yeah, that pc was my first build. I won't buy from them again.
 
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