HD 4550 + Dell Dimension 5000 = no video

[Badger0-0]

Just bought this card and basically it gives me a blank screen.
The fan spins and the comp seems to be working as normal, but I get a totally blank screen.
The PCI-e slot is known to be good, as it runs an ATI X300se fine.
Tried re-seating etc.

I know the Dell only has a 305W PSU, but given the very low power draw, is this likely to be the problem? (I really don't think so).

I also tried it on a Dell 5100, same problem.

Someone tell me the card is duff please 

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

I think it is quite possible that your PSU is the cause of your problems as I have checked in the manual and it specifically states there that a 400W PSU Minumum is required and must be a quality make. So I think your 305W especially if it is not new as it will have degraded even further in it's ability to provide power.

See page 5 of the manual as here:

A power supply that provides at least 400-watt is required. The power supply should be
with a known brand and certified to conform to safety regulations. (For the list of certified
power supplies, go to http://ati.amd.com/certifiedpsu.)

[Badger0-0]

Yes, I accept that it leads to that conclusion, but don't understand why the X300 works ok?

And less than 20W power draw with the 4550?
I'd be surprised if the X300 uses much less than that. In fact, I'd guess it uses more.

Hmm.

Ok thanks 

[Dark Mantis]

And less than 20W power draw with the 4550?

Where did you get the information that it draws less than 20W of power ?

[Badger0-0]

I've seen it on loads of sites, because I spent about 8 hours researching this last night.

I can't find one immediately, but heres one that mentions less than 25W;

http://www.newtechnology.co.in/ati-radeon-hd-4550-low-pricelow-power-graphics-card-from-amd/


I've just retried it after disconnecting my USB battery charger, a CD rom, a DVD burner, a sound card, a network card, a wireless mouse, a wireless dongle thingy and even the fan on the 4550.

Still no joy, but with the monitor plugged into the on-board graphics, it says "there is an unknown video configuration" and then "there is an external card but the vga is plugged into the on-board" etc.

So it knows it's there.
I seriously doubt it's down to power.

Quite annoying, because the only person I know with a more capable computer to try it in, has just had his MB blow 

[F5BJR]

*
Your computers are with an integrated video controller

Can you disable this ( in BIOS setup ) and start after ...

Pierre

*
Primary Video
(Auto default) <--- i think you can change
 Specifies which video controller is primary when two video controllers are present on the computer. Auto enables the add-in video controller. Onboard enables the integrated video controller.

Video Memory Size
(8 MB default)
 Configures the system memory allocation reserved for the integrated video controller. Settings are 1MB and 8MB.
 

[Badger0-0]

Thanks for this.

I've tried both and funnily enough, I thought the video memory size might be where the problem is.

But then, the x300se has hypermemory too.

I'm on the latest bios available, which was released in 2006/7 (!).

I suspect it's just too old.

Oh, I updated the chipset drivers too, no joy 

Another annoying thing is, that after hours of research, I'm seeing all sorts of cards (even the 5670) recommended that should work, but never any confirmation that they actually do.
Or any that say they don't.
Hence this post 

[Dark Mantis]

Dell is normally very helpful and maybe they can give a bit of advice on this problem. It is possible that it is just a faulty card of course but I think it is more likely that it is down to a setting or driver etc.

[Badger0-0]

Hmm.
I'm hoping it's a faulty card myself 

I love Dells, as they're bombproof in my experience.
It's why I only know one person with a more recent computer, because I recommended Dell to everyone I know (about 10 computers) and they're all still running perfectly and they don't like to upgrade like me 

I do know they're not very good for upgrading though 

If I find an answer, I'll try to remember to post it on here.

Thanks guys 

[Badger0-0]

Further to this, I had a reply form Gigabyte's tech support which said I needed to check the card.
Hence I got fed up and bought a barebones computer 

The card works.

The tech guy hinted that it might be a compatibility problem with the Dell because I'd tried it in another computer.

For future reference for you helpers on here, I'd suggest it is simply incompatible.
Although I doubt it'll crop up very often, given the computer's age.

Thanks again guys 

[Dark Mantis]

You are welcome and thanks for the feedback. At least you've got a working system now.