Okay, I just got my card back after sending it in to where i bought it and they said it isn't defective. Here is my setup: Board: Asus M2N-MX SE Plus CPU: Athlon 64X2 4800+ Memory: 2GB OS: XP Power Supply: SuperPower; model DR-8400BTX; 400W; 13A & 14A on the +12V rails Card trying to install: GeForce 8600 GT Super Step 1: Turn off computer, unplug wires, get rid of static from myself Step 2: Open case, plug in card in only PCI-E slot, make sure it's firmly in Step 3: Close it all back up, reconnect using new card and reboot List of Results Result 1: No signal on screen using new card, so I switch to onboard where there is a signal Result 2: No box telling me there is new hardware Result 3: Upon putting in CD, a box pops up listing all the drivers on the CD and at the top it tells me that no suitable driver was found Result 4: I check the fan of the card Questions -For the 8600GT Super, is there an additional plug that I'm supposed to plug into either the card or the MB? The fan on the card is spinning, so I figured power was good, but there is a small slot at the top of the card that isn't mentioned anywhere and I'm not sure if it's vital -POWER: I did check and I did confirm that the +12V rail did show 14A and 13A. I'm not sure what the other system's was that I plugged it into, but if the minimum I need is 22A then I should be fine and can rule out the power supply, right? Especially considering that the fan for the card is spinning normally? -I read the article regarding the 8800s that said some didn't work with certain MBs, so would this still possibly apply to my situation, and if so, what do I return? The MB or the card that works on other MBs, just not this one? -Also, could I be missing something with the BIOS? The only thing I changed was what i mentioned before, changed the boot order to have PCI-E be first, but it still didn't pickup the card. Could there be something else in there too? Ahh! Thanks for any help you guys can provide!
Get a proper PSU first. Even if it isn't the cause of the current problem, it'll prevent future issues. Get a Corsair VX 450W.
sadly us university students can be a bit short on cash, so until i know that's the biggest problem I can't really afford to go throwing around the money. here is the link to the ATI PCI-E 2.0 Compatibility Issues any other thoughts? I already sent the card to the store I bought it from and they sent it back telling me that it worked for tech. My thought was that if the card works and the MB works and the PSU works but somehow they don't all work together, which do I return?
I'm in the same boat. I studied last year, dropped out and have been locally studying this year, meaning that I have had no student loan to help me out all these months - I start again (both studying and in relative affluence) in october... as for the link, I used an HD3870 in a PCIe 1 board with zero issues. I also used it in a PCIe 2 board, also with no issues. I don't think this affects 8600s, only 8800s. However, no matter how little you can afford, you MUST change the PSU to a decent unit, or risk your PC catching fire like mine did when it had a cheap PSU in it - that was an expensive repair bill. Pay £40 for a proper Power supply, or pay £200 in repairs. Your choice.
PSU Update: So I found a mate who had a 450W PSU with 30A on the +12V rails. I first tried the 8600 in his machine, but nothing came up on the screen. Again, the fan on the 8600 was spinning normally but no signal. Computer sounded like it booted up normally as well. Then I tried taking the PSU back to my computer and trying it in there with my setup and the new PSU, but again, still no signal from the 8600. I tried switching the cable to the onboard card and I was getting a signal from that. So what does that tell me then? I wasn't sure if the extra 50W/3A was enough to be considered a good tester, BUT since my PSU already exceeds the specs for the card, this should have at least shown something, right?
yes I have. the only option is a "priority mode" (ive checked in the manual, this is the only thing I can change) and there are two options: PCIE->PCI->IGP or the other way around. I have PCIE starting first, still nothing
