GF5900 graphics card question

Currently have a AGP, GF Ti4200, 128 meg, hooked to a DVI monitor.
Works good but card is getting kinda dated.

I bought a AGP GF5900, 128 meg card (the kind that needs its own
power connection). Could not get it to work. Would see on-screen just
the first couple lines of bootup (BIOS version, Amount of mem) then
nothing.

The install instructions say to use the power cable from the HD and the
"Y" power cable to split the power connection and use 1 connector for
the HD and the other end for the graphics card. Well, i have a SATA HD
and the power cable to it (HD) is different config. I tried the power cable
from the ZIP drive and both the cd-rw and the dvd but still couldnt get
passed the first couple lines then black out.

I returned the card and put the old one back in until i can figure out why
it wont work.

Any ideas?
thanks,

 

Hi savagcl,

Does your system meet the cards requirements? Like power supply watts? Other thing you might need to do is remove your existing card's drivers and the card in Device Manager. Before installing the card. Does it say anything in the cards docs that came with the card along these lines?
What OS are you running?

 

What is the minimum case power supply wattage recommended for this card. Did yours meet this requirement?

Is the output voltage of the power supply within spec? (may have been worth sourcing another supply to try)

Did you connect it to one of the power taps on its own. I.E. not split with another piece of hardware?

Did you reseat the card in the AGP slot, and make sure it "clicked" into place?

 

Incorrect drivers won't be an issue as problem occured before windows had a chance to load and detect hardware.

Try another power lead from the card, in case it was faulty?

 

Is this your card? Page shows system requirements also.
http://www.devhardware.com/c/a/Video-Cards/BFG-GF-FX-5900-Ultra/

 

Boy!, fastest reply(s) i ever saw!

I was thinking power supply as i walked out the door. Since its a Gateway system and i didn't specify a power supply, i'll assume a 250w
until i get the covers off again and visually check.

The card recommended a 350w ps, so this is most likely the problem.
Didn't mention it before but i did find a extra power connection, i.e.,
not connected at all. I tried that, nogo. The last thing i tried was to
disconnect the Zip drive and the cd-rw, still nogo.

If i have to up the power supply also, will have to wait a few days (money). But just added it to my list of things to do.

My System: Running WinXP Home
Motherboard: Wasp Motherboard
Processor: 3.0GHZ 800MHz FSB P4 NORTHWOOD HYPER THREADING PROCESSOR
Memory: 1024MB Memory Module
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA Hard Drive
Monitor: 19 LCD Flat Panel Display Analog/Digital (18.1 viewable)
Video Card: 128MB NVIDIA GEFORCE4 TI4200 Graphics Card
Combination Drive: DVD-RAM/-R/-RW/CDRW Recorder
TDK CD-RW: 52/24/48
Sound Card: SB Audigy (Twister) Sound Card w/IEEE 1394
Speakers: Boston Acoustics BA7900 5.1 Speakers (5 + Boombox)
Keyboard: Multifunction PS2 Keyboard
Mouse: Logitec USB Optical Mouse
Floppy Drive: Panasonic 3.5 Floppy ID Drive
Zip Drive

thanks for the speedy comeback,

 

LDTate, yep thats the card.

Says plain as day - 350w PS.

 

Been there with same issue myself
Next box I get will be biggest PS I can get

 

Glad to know i'm not alone.
All it takes is Money.......

thanks,

 

Maybe...

Look in BIOS settings for "Quick POST" and deselect it.

Matt

 

Mattman,

Quick Post not found.

My BIOS is AMI BZ87510A.15A.0114.P13.0404211705

The latest i found at gateway.

thanks,