Radeon X1950 Pro problem

[jdowny]

I recently got a Radeon X1950 Pro graphics card, but I'm pretty new to uninstalling and installing new cards. I looked up a guide on the internet and everything went fine - the old card was removed, the new card was put in and fixed, and I put all the wires back where they were beforehand.

It looked like it worked because the monitor screen came up as usual with the monitor companie's logo, but the computer refuses to respond in any way.

Specs -
Intel Pentium D 805 Dual Core Processor
1024MB Dual channel memory
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive

As far as I know the card installed fine. I've checked all the monitor ports, checked that the card is in properly, and checked that the correct wires are all plugged in. But any suggestions would be really appreciated! I 'm starting to think that I've been royally swindled.

[him61]

Did you unintall the old drivers and download the new ones?

[jdowny]

Yeah I uninstalled the old ones okay, but what do you mean about downloading new ones? The card came with an installation CD if that's what you mean, or did I miss something major?

[him61]

No, you didn't miss anything...

So, does the motherboard's splash screen show, or does the monitor's logo show?

Do you have the 6-pin PCI-Express connector connected?

What's the Manufacturer and model of your power supply?

I'm kind of leaning towards a power problem, since the x1950pro is a pretty hungry card... Because if the card itself was dead, you'd be getting no signal at all to your monitor...

[jdowny]

It's the monitor logo that shows, which I assume means that the card is working.

I didn't know you had to connect the PCI Express connector, I don't think the manual mentioned it. Mind you, the manual was extremely small, a PCI express connector came with the package, and it's quite likely I misinterpreted the instructions.

How do you find out the manufacturer and model of the power supply? Sorry, i'm pretty new to this.

[him61]

There should be a sticker on the PSU, which is usually on the upper left side in the back of the computer. And that would probably be your problem then if you didn't connect the PCI-Express power connector to your video card.

[jdowny]

I'm beginning to think these instructions are useless. I managed to attatch the PCI Express connector, but since the instruction guide hadn't mentioned this, I looked in the box to see what else was in there.

Previously I thought that the rest of the things in there were only for televisions, and I was only taking out the things that the guide told me to, but it turns out there's a Cross Fire card in there that i'm fairly certain should go somewhere. Any ideas where? And thanks for all the help him61.

Edit: The manufacturer of the PSU seems to be Dell, and the model number is L305P, but i'm not sure if that helps. I've since attatched the PCI Express connector, but the problem's the same - The monitor logo comes up, and then the screen turns black.

Other things that came with the package are:

- 3 TV output/input cables
- 2 DVI to VGA Adapters
- A Crossfire card
- An installation CD
- A VGA cable

[Shoryu]

Hi jdowny.

Crossfire is just an ATI technology that allows certain video cards to run a dual video card setup, you need two crossfire ready video cards in order to use it and obviously a crossfire capable motherboard so it doesn't have anything to do with your issue.

I would say that your issue is related to an underpowered PSU since yours is only 300W. The x1950 series are very power hungry video cards, so a new PSU may solve your issue (him61 or another m8 can give you some advise in what PSU brand is better for your setup and your budget).

[jdowny]

Great, thanks. Hopefully that should sort it. Does anyone have any idea of a PSU that would do? Just one that's above 350W? I've seen some reasonably priced ones at 450W, whether that will do?

[him61]

Here's a good one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953

A simmilar one is powering my x1950pro as we speak