no video output/possible incompatability

[laxmechie30]

I built my first PC and im having some problems. I got everything up and running for a few days and then the computer started turning itself off (not shutting down, just losing power and turning off). After a few times turning it back on, it wouldn't even boot. I think I isolated the problem to the video card or power supply, so I got a more powerful supply and that didnt help. So I sent the graphics card back for a new one. The new one does not display anything. I happen to have an old video card laying around, and everything runs fine with that one. So now the only thing i can think of is that the graphics card isn't compatable (which seems strange because i got an identicle one to work for a few days) or the card i got (after returning one already) was dead on arrival. So this is what i have

Asus k8n motherboard
Athon 64 3000+ cpu
2x 528MB ram
80 Gb 7200 rpm harddrive
480W power supply
The graphics card i cant get to display is a
xfx nvidia geforce 6600 8x agp with 256 Mb ddr
The one i got to work is an unknown old card from a factory computer from about 2 years ago.

Anyone have any ideas whats going on?

 

[micker377]

Is the "unknown old card" AGP, or PCI?

 

[laxmechie30]

Like i said this is the first computer i have put together so im not real familiar with hardware. The card fit into (and works in) the AGP slot but it had 3 tabs to insert instead of the two on geforce. I hope you can tell which it is from that.

 

[laxmechie30]

Ok I probably should have done this before the last post, but I looked at the working graphics card, it is a ASUS TNT2-VANTA. I googled it, and i think thats an agp card.

 

[micker377]

The "slots" in the edge connector, are there to seperate the different cards depending on the design voltage. I think (could have them mixed), that you have 5v. - 3v. - and 1.5v. cards. You have to research your mother board to see what it should have.

 

[micker377]

Is your mother board a KN8, or a KN8-E? The KN8 can only take a 1.5v board. I couldn't find a stat on the KN8-E.

 

[laxmechie30]

Its a K8n (yeah the manual says it only takes 1.5V video cards), and i emailed the video card manufactorer to find out the voltage - it is a 1.5V card which is what the motherboard takes

 

[laxmechie30]

I got the card to work. I didnt do anything different this time, I put it in and it started up. I was getting a blue screen of death on boot up, but i could start it in safe mode so i reloaded the drivers and it seems to be running fine now. But then it ran for a few days last time so im keeping my fingers crossed. The only thing i can think is that i didnt have the card seated completely when i put it in the first time. Thanks for the help anyway though.