Boot up to a Blank screen

Hi All,

I just installed an ATI 7500 graphics card. Love it, but I occasionally have to reboot several times to get the settings necessary to run things right. Love the graphics card, they warn of GART files that may cause this. I am having a fit trying to get information on drivers, chipset, bios settings, etc.

I am using Compaq Presario 7940 Windows 98se, 600 mhx AMD Athlon K-7 cpu, 384 mb memory, 2 Hard drives, a Dvd w8x combo writer/player, and an old DVD compaq rom drive. Any ideas? I replaced a Diamond Stealth s540 graphics card and never had these problems at all with that board.

Thanks, jongru

 

The good, the bad and the ugly?

You may want to check your voltages using some kind of software like Motherboard Monitor or by going into the bios and seeing what information may be available there. Unfortunately, you have a minimalist power supply in that machine and your new video card may be hungry for a bit more juice. Similarly, it could be pulling juice away from other components that are also a bit thirsty for a charge , especially at start-up.

Now for the assumed fix - bigger PS right? Whoa down there partner - Compaq will tell you no and/or charge you 3-4 times market value for any components. You should also excercise extreme caution re: throwing in a 250W or 300W generic ATX PS because it may short your MB and it might not even fit in that case.

So, whats a guy (or girl) to do? Look for one of those little Leadman Power Supplies that will work as a substitute in that machine and go one step higher than your current rated output. Should cost you about $20 plus shipping.

As to drivers - go to the ATI website and download the new Catalyst drivers. Nothing too difficult about that.

 

Hi Rockster,

Thanks for the input. Never thought about that. Do you have the Leadman url? How do I deal with the push to start button on my Presario? Will the new Leadman product handle the power button on the front of the comuter...Need to hear from you...thanks, jongru

 

Hi Jongru: Here is a link to one vendor that sells leadman.

http://mate.pricewatch.com/scripts/b.asp?3497106

I'm not sure this is the right Leadman power supply, check with vendor for the right one for your machine model.

Power supply plugs into motherboard. Will not affect power switch that also plugs into motherboard. You should not have to mess with that lead.

Be careful when disconecting the old power supply from MOBO, there probably is a little lever that locks it in and the lever has to be depressed to remove the plug. The power supply box should come out of the case. Usually held in by 4 screws. You will also have to unplug all the drives that are conneced to the old PS. You may find those drive plugs very hard to remove. There are times when I thought they must have been welded in. But keep pulling hard and wiggling them a little, sooner or later they'll come out

Always make sure you are grounded by touching a bare metal part of the case before touching any components inside the case. The plug to the MOBO should only go in one way, check to make sure you got it right, it should go in smoothly and, never, never force it. (or any other connectors)


Put the new PS back in oriented the same way as the old one if possible but make sure the fan blows out and through the back.

Good Luck, I hope you get the problem fixed.

 

Thanks Martinr121,

I will try and get the info on the website you referred me to. I will let you know if I can get it there. Compaq is really a pain in the butt. Everything they seem to make, even as reliable as it is, is hard to find replacements that work...thanks...jongru...

 

Your welcome Jongru. This board has been a big help to me for a couple of years, I'm just trying to pay back in kind.

P.S. Are you John Gruden that coaches Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team? You know, Jongru = John Gruden.

Well, even if you're not him, post back your results. Good Luck

 

Just went looking for a couple of links for you and the place I usually get these from (ComputerGeeks) didn't have any listed tonight. I think that is a smaller than normal PS in your machine (re: dimensions) and I just looked up your other specs - 750 Duron and a 250W power supply according to Compaq. I'll keep my eyes open and if you have a standard size PS, you could use about anything comparable. A 300w Allied can be had for about $18. Just check the size first.

 

Hi Rockster

I forgot to mention. A while back I tried to beef up the compaq power supply to an ATX type that looked like the exact type. I installed it into my compaq and I could not get the computer to turn on.

It had an off/on physical switch right on the Psupply, but would not turn the computer on. I have a button on the front that completes the turn on. It also has drive indicator leds and I think the wires from the power on switch on the front of my computer
goes to the power supply through a special pin in the motherboard. Not too sure about it though.

This is why I am a little paranoid. I would love to just buy a 400 W atx and get with it...but won't work...jongru...

 

A goodly piece of wisdom and you are right - some of their Power supplies are non-standard ATX and you want to be very careful because the wrong one will short out the MB. I will take another look at their website (advise you to do the same) because I thought it referenced a standard ATX PS.

 

Hi Rockster etal,

Thanks for all your help, I found my solution on the internet. I found that I never installed the ATI Graphics card properly. I never unloaded the old drivers and display adapters. Seems like my problem solved....jongru....