Video Card Problems Guide

[ChemicalWarrior]

Yep, I save pretty much everything to text documents.

Video Card Problems:

Steps to solving problems:

Step 1.) Is your monitor on?

Step 2.) Make sure you have the latest video drivers. Often times a driver may have a bug with the game. Newest drivers will fix bugs that may be there and can often fix these problems.

Step 3.) Run Driver Cleaner. This can be found at www.drivercleaner.net with instructions that you should follow. After you've done that, go to your video card chip set manufacturer website (Most likely either www.ati.com or www.nvidia.com) and download the newest drivers.

Step 4.) If you've tried those two steps and you still have the problem, the next step would be to check to make sure your video card is being fully cooled. One easy way to check is if your video card drivers include a built in temperature read out. Video cards are designed to work up to 120C, but in some cases lower temperatures could be causing problems, if you're unsure ask. If your video card does not include this, or you do not know how to locate it, you should check to make sure all your fans inside your computer are working. Open the side panel of your computer and turn it on, be careful to watch for fans and your fingers, as it will hurt (trust me on this one) if you get one inside a fan. Check to make sure that the fan on the video card is working. If all things are working correctly then move on to the next step.

Step 5.) If you're using a high end video card, then your computers power supply unit (PSU) may be the cause. With a high end card you want a PSU that is rated to put out at least 400watts of power. Also avoid cheap a PSU, they not only lead to video card problems, but also complete computer problems. If you believe you're PSU meets your video cards needs then move on to the next step. If not, then look for a quality replacment. Note – Low end video cards do not need a higher power PSU, so you may wish to skip this step.

Step 6.) So you've checked all of the above and you still have a problem. If possible then I suggest testing the video card in another computer. If your video card works fine in the second computer then compare parts. Compare the PSU, and motherboard. Take note of these and post them. There may be a known issue with your PSU/motherboard and your video card.


Step 7.) If you do experience the same problem. Then its fairly safe to say that the problem lays with the video card. You should contact the vendor of your video card manufacturer and ask about replacing it.

[LoPo]

Good Job.

[{OF}Blong]

hey thanks for bringing this over chem.

[{OF}Erad]

You missed the real #1: Is your Monitor on?

[{OF}Blong]

Originally Posted by {OF}Erad

You missed the real #1: Is your Monitor on?

first you need to make sure your computer has power and is turned on as well .

[{OF}MillerTime]

Here's my stuff...What do you recommend?

AMD64 3400+ Clawhammer, 1GB DDR400
1 CDRW w/DVD play & 1DVD+/-RW
2 200GB IDE Ultra 133 7200 HDD's
1 ATI x800pro video & 1 ATI TV Wonder VE card

I current;y have 500W psu. These are the ratings.
3.3v @ 28A, +5v @ 38A, +12v @ 17, -12v @ 0.8A, -5v @ 0.5A, +5vsb @ 2A

I rarely use more than 1 app at a time. I might surf while burning discs.

Wasn't sure which thread to post in since you discussed PSU's in both.

***Also, I was thinking of adding a 3rd HDD. Since I'm just looking at getting 1, would it worth it to get it in SATA?

[ChemicalWarrior]

You can run the other one in SATA fine with the IDE from my knowledge, both of my drivers are in IDE still, even though i have tons of SATA connectors going unused.

As far as your PSU, that thing has wonderful rating it looks pretty damn nice. What brand of PSU is it?

[{OF}MillerTime]

So is there any advantage to 1 SATA vs. another (3rd) IDE? I was looking at a big one so the speed was still 7200rpm. I was only thinking SATA because the PSU & board are set up for it. And I think I'd need to add a PCI card to add more IDE drives.

The PSU is a A Power (with a lightnig bolt after the A) I got it at a local PC shop new for $25

[ChemicalWarrior]

Its nice for that price, the +12 is a little weak, but overall that's a wonderful price/performance PSU you got MT.

Get an SATA driver, I recommend the Maxtor Diamond Max 10s. They are freaking amazing, talking faster than a Raptor at everything but game loading, plus they go all the way up to 300GBs of space. They are SATA only though. The reason they are so fast is because they have a 16MB cache compared to the normal 8MB.

[{OF}MillerTime]

what does "They are SATA only though" mean or why do you say that.