9800XT fails to boot screen.

[Sheepeeshaun]

I installed my 9800XT and it didn't show a screen, at all. The system booted as normal but minus a screen. I have a generic 500W powersupply rated at 40A on the 5v rail and 17A on the 12v rail is this enough? what voltage does the 9800XT use from the AGP slot? (currently 1.5v) and does the card HAVE to be connected in line with a hard drive or can it just be connected to the powersupply rails (cable straight from the PS)?

I tried connecting my LCD's DVI-D through the DVI to VGA adapter to the VGA port of the card and it still didn't show the screen. I then tried connecting my TV through the vid-out port and it didn't show my anything either.

I'd also like to mention that windows isn't booting as normal at the moment, I messed my my MBR and have to select the windows installation to boot (have 1s every boot to do so).

Are there any BIOS settings I should change prior to installing the card, or is it a case of checking that it is seated properly? (I'm pretty sure it was though)

I'm currently using a geforce card on the same system to post this.

Using a Soltek SL-86SPE-L (Intel 865PE/ICH5)
Powersupply as stated above

Any help is greatly appreciated

[bchur83]

Yes, the PSU can connect directly to the card. Your PSU may be a problem.

Have you verified that the card is good? Is it new? Used? Can you try it in a different system? If it is new and not working in your computer or another, RMA it. If it is used, then you may be SOL. I would try to test it in another computer.

[Sheepeeshaun]

I did try and connect just the card and motherboard (no HDs or CD-RW) to see if that would give the extra power needed but it also didn't screen then. I don't have the ability to test it in another motherboard. The card was bought as new (certainly looks new) from ebay, I bought it from a mass supplier and should be able to return it if I can't get it working after I try again.

SOL = ???

Thanks :)

[bchur83]

SOL = S**T out of luck.

The only way to rule out the video card as being the problem would be to test it in another system. Do you have any friends with a PC? Parents? All you need to do is verify it will POST in another system. If it does, then there is something wrong with your system. If it doesnt post, then the card is probably bad.

[Sheepeeshaun]

I do have a friend who may have a compatible system, but it belongs to his family and his parents are quite ageist (ie they don't think that anyone below 20 is capable of ANYTHING) so I don't think they would let me test it in their system, although I could ask. If my powersupply could be the problem do you think I should get a better one (branded) and try that out?

[Sheepeeshaun]

I tested it in his system (easier to convince people than I thought) and it booted fine first time also, it seems that my powersupply is quite the problem here, quite the problem indeed...

[RJARRRPCGP]

Reseat the video card. I had that symptom before because of the video card not being seated properly.

[Sheepeeshaun]

I just tried reseating (twice) I even tried to boot it with no molex connected to it (to see if it would show a "no power connected" type warning screen) - nothing

EDIT: I'd like to add that the card has been fully seated at all times (e.g. the little lever is down and it is screwed to the case at the bracket) as far as I can see all the little springed connecters are being pushed against the card and they are aligned with the gold lines on the card (again, as far as I can see).

[Sheepeeshaun]

Does anyone else think that it is my power supply that is causing this to happen? Or is the card just incompatible with my system? I had a search on google and found some posts where people said that (mysteriously) they couldn't get their 9800(PRO, XT, w/e) to boot the screen, but it worked in another system. Should I return this card or try a new powersupply (I would HAVE to buy a new one, can't dismantle another system just to try it) and should the card display a error message if it doesn't have the molex connected regardless of if it has enough power WITH the molex connected?

[Sheepeeshaun]

UPDATE:
I got a new powersupply in today and the card still doesn't boot a screen :( I guess I'll have to sell it on as it isn't compatible with my motherboard or lcd screen.

[Sheepeeshaun]

OK I just had a look at something...

The ebay listing claimed that the card supports DVI-I
The cable for my LCD currently has a DVI-D single link cable (think my LCD supports a max of DVID dual link)
Even when that cable was connected through the adapter to VGA it didn't work.

Does it seem likely that this is my problem?