video card problem

[Ahlerich]

new -used- videocard agp

when i plug it in my relatively cheap mobo i get funny colored symbols instead of letters right after booting the pc.
(still in "dos" screen...when ram tests and hdds are listet etc)

is it 100% sure to say this is not a driver problem?
is my powersupply to weak possibly?
or is the mobo just not supporting this video card?

its a relatively powerful videocard (MSI NX6800-TD128) so i think its either mobo or powersupply

does anybody have had the same symptoms then me once? and what was the reason? what do you guy think is the problem?

[kid]

I'd guess PSU. These newer cards really suck juice.

Drivers don't activate in DOS, or nobody could get to windows to install the proper ones.

The mobo has a standard AGP interface. If it works with one card, it should work with others, the properties of AGP don't change, but don't rule it out, it could always be broken, or have taken a surge between installations. Unless the north bridge is out, but that's incredibly rare, so don't fret.

Swap the PSU out if you have another, or try unplugging all non-essential hardware and see if it works, and if it still doesn't, post your PSU and your number of installed hardware and a description of each (e.g. HDD, CD drive, etc...) and we'll be able to give a more accurate picture.

[Ahlerich]

the psu is a 300watt..but not a generic one.
i have 2 hdd a cd and floppy attached to the mobo as well...but i tried the card with all those other devices unplugged as well. i dont have a stronger psu to try right now..i think my friend is going to buy a 500watt i should try that when he has it

[kid]

Try the swap, and maybe reset the BIOS.

[Incinerate_IV]

It could just be a bad/overheating video card, try to open your case up a little and check if the heatsink is on there tight.

[Ahlerich]

i didnt even close my box. heatsink is tight and right when i turn the pc on the videocard doesnt work so i guess even if it would get to hot is would take at least a sec or two until its to hot

[OTZ]

I'd also say it's a problem with the video card, rather than any of the other components.

[Ahlerich]

well it might be because its an ebay buy..ah i have to borrow a good psu to at least eliminate one possible problem source

[Ahlerich]

ok double post - punish me

i wonder:

in germany we use 230 volt on our psu

now i live in canada, they use 115 on their psu.


i bought a videocard in germany (230volt psu) and try to run it on my box in canada (115v psu)

does that volt difference make a difference?
i mean do they build videocards for 230 volts and videocards for 115 volts??
i have no clue in electronics..so does the psu convert the volt difference somehow or will a videocard sold in a 230 volt country not work in a 115 volt country???

geeks, i need you now...more than ever

[Incinerate_IV]

A powersupply convert all the input power to 12v DC, from 115 or 240 AC, so it makes no difference. I think its your video card, if it does this on start up then it means your video card is broke.

[PyrrhusIV]

Wait, didnt he say his PSU is 300W? Well, almost all Video-cards require atleast 350W of Power. I mean, the GeForce 5200 PCI Cards i've put in friends computers usually require 350W ...

Now of course, he said his PSU is not generic, but still...

[The Thracian]

I would say the PSU could be causing it, I would suggest looking for a new one if Phyrrus IV Is right but I'm no expert