PowerColor Radeon X550

[JurkMonkey]

Hi,

I've used PowerColor video cards before and they've worked well for me. Today I bought a PowerColor radeon X550 to put into a new computer and it doesn't always display video.

When I boot the box (which I'm just building now) the keyboard flashes and the box seems to post (even though it doesn't beep) but the video doesn't always show up. It has shown up a couple of times but it's never 100%

Any ideas what's going on? It's really frustrating!

 

[addy]

I would re-seat the video card - it may be that it is not seated quite correclty which is why you are only gettnig intermittent video.

Also, if you took out another card and then put this one in, did you completely remove your video card drivers and install new ones?

 

[JurkMonkey]

Thanks for the reply.

I will try re-seating the card tonight. there are no drivers installed yet because I just put the box together. I haven't installed an OS yet.


Any more ideas please let me know!

Thanks

 

[garebo]

Trying clearing your cmos, consult manual as method can differ from one mobo to another.
Also, take a pencil eraser and clean the gold connectors.
Check bios for any settings that link to video. Bios's differ so its hard to pinpoint one setting.
Read the manual for any bios settings.
Go to powercolor website and look for FAQ's and while there you could email them with your problem.
Between them and the people here you should get to the bottom of this.
Do you have another pc you can put this vid card into or do you have another vid card you can put in your pc, just to see if that vid card does the same thing? This would go a long way in finding the problem.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

One more thing. Is that video card suited for the motherboard you have. Sorry, but sometimes thats an issue.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[JurkMonkey]

A pencil eraser? That's a cool idea!

Unfortunately - I don't have another box with PCIex, only AGP. I will see if the card is suited for the mobo through the ASUS and PowerColor website.

I'm an ASUS baby.

Thanks for the reply. Any more ideas, please let me know. I will be trying these suggestions out tonight.

P.S. Has anyone else noticed how annoying SATA II Drives are to install - you HAVE to use a flickin' floppy! Go MS!

 

[garebo]

Funny, i thought the same thing. At least the drivers should come on a cd, lol.
ON the other hand, i am a fan of floppies, i dont think they should be disappearing from new pc's just yet! Even though a usb thumb drive is a great alternative and so cheap these days.
Anyway, back to your problem. Let us know how you are doing. Im out of answers, but i dont know that much about vid cards, so someone else will have to join in, and they will.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[JurkMonkey]

Hello

I think I have found the problem. The PCI-e interface and card consume a lot of power. I'm using a 400W Power Supply with only a 20pin connector - not a 24 pin. I have read that you can buy adapters but I might just buy a whole new PS.

The other thing I read was bad ram - and the positioning of the RAM. Someone said if you place the ram in the black slots, instead of the blue ones, it will work. Didn't help me though.

To get past this - I installed a PCI (old skool) video card and installed windows. Windows is not running well in 16 colors though

If you have any comments on the 20/24 pin connectors, please let me know.

Thanks

 

[garebo]

I sure wouldnt be at all surprised if you at least need the adaptor to go to 24 pin. It may very well be that you have found the answer.
I know paparazi was mentioning on once of his pc's he was using that adaptor, but he said it may or may not always work, depends on the mobo.
Does your vid card have a molex connector? If so you do have to plug a molex into it, but im sure you know that.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[paparazi]

Has your motherboard any additional power connections that you have forgotten to use? ie: 12V P4 etc
I've seen various manufacturers using molex type and even floppy type connections directly solder to the motherboard for extra required power.
This X550 isn't a particularly power hungry GPU and the PCI-e slot is easily up to supplying the necessary power.
BUT IS YOUR PSU.
Personally I think if your present PSU is just a standard generic unit it would be a good idea for you to invest in a better quality version 2.0 or later, power supply with the 24pin connector already fitted.
Quality! above all, not reported watted which is often a joke sticker on cheaper units.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[JurkMonkey]

Thanks Guys,

I bought the 20 - 24 pin adapter and that did not work. There's a separate 4 pin power connector that I attached - still no success though!

I will try a better PSU. I have also read that a lot of ASUS motherboards are having issues recently. I've always been a bit of an ASUS baby. Has anyone had the same kind of experience?

Thanks

 

[JurkMonkey]

!@#$% I bought a new 500Watt power supply that is 2.0 compliant. It has the 24 pin connector and the other 4 pin connector for the mobo.

It still isn't displaying video. On top of this - it's now rebooting every 5 seconds.

I was also getting a CMOS Checksum error. What is this?

I've never had this much trouble with a system before. I'm ready to throw it off the balcony of my 17th floor apartment building!

Can anyone help me?

 

[JurkMonkey]

Maybe I'll take up basket weaving instead.

 

[JurkMonkey]

Oh - now it started loading windows and then BAM - Blue screen.

 

[garebo]

Is all well if you use a different video card or onboard video?
If so, suspect the vid card.
Another check of all connections, if you havent already done that 10 times.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[JurkMonkey]

this has no onboard video. I've been using a PCI Video card rather than the PCI ex video card.

All other connections look good.

I ripped out the PCIex vid card and I'm having the blue screen issues

 

[JurkMonkey]

I swapped out the ram to my old computer - the RAM seems to be fine.

 

[JurkMonkey]

One more thing - I noticed that POST is REALLY QUIET when I boot the computer. Is it normal to be this quiet?

 

[garebo]

Quiet can be normal.
Wont hurt to re-set the bios. Many a prob has been solved that way. Check manual first, though.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[JurkMonkey]

I reset the bios a few times over this whole process. I have come to the conclusion that either the video card or mobo is not functioning correctly. I have taken it back to the retailer and they are testing it for me. They should be giving me replacements tomorrow.

I'll figure this thing out and I'll post the solution here soon.

thanks so much for your help - I really appreciate it!